The Tonganoxie school board didn’t look far for its next superintendent.

The school board, at a special meeting Monday, approved on a 7-0 vote hiring Assistant Superintendent Kyle Hayden to lead the district, beginning July 1.

Monday’s special meeting initially was called to discuss whether to hire the Kansas Association of School Boards to conduct a search for a new superintendent.

The board instead bypassed the process and hired Hayden, who was hired as assistant superintendent last June.

Hayden replaces Richard Erickson, who has been the district’s top administrator since 1996. In January, the board voted not to renew his contract, but will move him to a part-time position — special projects manager — when his current contract ends June 30. On July 1, he will start his part-time position and assist Hayden with projects Haydens assigns. Erickson will then retire in the summer of 2010.

Hayden, 37, is a 1990 Sabetha High School graduate. He later graduated from Tabor College in Hillsboro with a teaching degree and a master’s degree in education administration from Emporia State University.

Hayden said the new contract would be finalized at the February board meeting. His current salary is $90,000.