CHOCOWINITY — Southside High School has a new principal for the 2017-18 school year.

M.D. Coleman will join the Seahawks team after seven years as principal at Mattamuskeet Early College High School. The Beaufort County resident officially took over the position as of July 1.

Coleman steps into his new role at Southside after a yearlong search for a permanent principal after former Principal Dale Cole resigned shortly before the 2016-17 school year began.

During the 2016-17 year, Clint Johnson stepped in as interim principal for one semester, and eventually decided to finish out the year in that role until the school could find a permanent principal.

Coleman studied at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Coastal Carolina University. Before moving to the Early College, he previously served as principal at Mattamuskeet Elementary School, according to a social media page.

Coleman could not be reached for comment on Wednesday regarding the new position.

“We are excited to have Mr. Coleman join us,” Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps said. “I believe that he will be effective in this leadership role. He has a great combination of skills that will prove valuable as the principal of Southside.”

Southside High serves about 450 students in southern Beaufort County, including those living in Chocowinity and Aurora.