A new superintendent is getting ready to sharpen his pencils at the Elkhart Community Schools.

Dr. Steve Thalheimer will start on the job on January 1.

He has 24 years of experience in public education as a high school teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant superintendent among other posts.

For the last five years he’s been the superintendent at the Fairfield Community Schools.

The board said Thalheimer stood out among the candidates and displayed a proven track record for developing curriculum.