Land O'Lakes High School has a new principal. And Mitchell High School needs one.

Ric Mellin, who has led Mitchell High since 2005, was named late Tuesday to take over at Land O'Lakes effective March 23. He replaces Monica Ilse, who will open Anclote High in Holiday.

Superintendent Heather Fiorentino said she had received letters from Mitchell asking her not to take Mellin. That means the choice is a good one, she said.

The district has not determined how it will replace Mellin. "We could post the job, or we could transfer someone," assistant superintendent for high schools Jim Davis said.

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