Peggy Kittel can now drop the “pro tem” from her title as Douglas County District Court judge.

She will be sworn in during a ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday as the court’s new Division 6 judge. Administrative Judge Robert Fairchild will administer the oath.

As a judge pro tem, Kittel was off on Fridays and, therefore, was home March 28 when Gov. Kathleen Sebelius called to tell her she had been appointed to replace Stephen Six, who left the court in February to take over as Kansas Attorney General. Kittel was one of three people considered for the judge’s position.

“I was very excited; I couldn’t be happier,” Kittel said of her reaction to the governor’s call. “It was a long-term goal.”

Fairchild also was pleased with the announcement.

“I’m absolutely delighted that she was appointed,” he said. “She’s a great judge and a wonderful person. She has the perfect demeanor to be judge.”

Kittel started as a pro tem, or part-time, judge in 2001. Her salary was paid by the county, unlike other district judges, whose positions are funded by the state. The court and county commissioners agreed to create the job to handle the county’s growing caseload.

In 2005, the state funded the new Division 6 judge position and Six was appointed. The court kept Kittel’s pro tem position. Fairchild said the court wants to continue with the pro tem job. A replacement for Kittel would be selected by the local judges.

But Douglas County commissioners say continuation of the pro tem position is not a certainty because of the county’s budget situation. During their meeting Wednesday night, they said they wanted to discuss the issue soon with Fairchild.