GIBSON CITY — The school district has hired one of its own graduates as the new elementary school principal.

Justin Kean, 34, began his duties as elementary principal on Friday. This is his first administrative position. He spent 10 years teaching and coaching at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School.

Kean is a 1996 graduate of GCMS High School, as is his wife, the former Erin Boyle. The Gibson City couple have three sons.

Kean graduated from Eureka College with a degree in physical education in 2000. He earned a master's degree in school administration from Illinois State University.

He is the son of Bill and Sue Kean, and his wife is the daughter of Don and Deb Unzicker, all Gibson City residents.

"This is where I want to be and this is where my family wants to be," Kean said of the Gibson City position. "This is not a steppingstone."

Kean will earn an annual salary of $75,000 in the first year of a three-year contract. His compensation will include a choice of health insurance or annuity, plus a contribution to the state's teacher retirement system equal to 9 percent of his salary.

Officials said the district received 47 applicants for the principal's position.

Principal Shelley Overman resigned to take a principal's position with the Lake Bluff district, a northern Chicago suburb.

GCMS has another new administrator. Superintendent Anthony Galindo also assumed his new duties on July 1. Chuck Aubry retired June 30 after 15 years with the district.