BREWER – Former Brewer High School English teacher James Frost said Tuesday that he’s eager to return and start his new role as high school principal.

“I think it’s a positive step for me professionally and for my family,” said Frost, currently an educator in Calais.

Frost was chosen from a field of a dozen applicants for the job, which opened up after Jerry Goss announced in May plans to retire in late June.

During their meeting Monday night, school committee members approved a two-year contract with Frost, who will receive an annual salary of about $68,000, according to Superintendent Betsy Webb.

Webb said earlier that the goal is to have the new principal on board sometime in August, before the new school year starts.

Frost taught English and coached basketball in Brewer from 1981 to 1986, then became Calais High School’s assistant principal and athletic director. He then served as Woodland High School principal for a year. He has served as kindergarten through grade eight principal for the Calais School Department since 1998.

While in Calais, Frost led the effort to align curriculum with the Maine Learning Results and to implement a math initiative that brought home state and federal support for curriculum and staff development. He developed recognition programs for pupils, teachers and volunteers; established a breakfast program; and led teams that implemented all-day kindergarten and overhauled the report card format.

He also created monthly newsletters for parents and the public and crafted a three-year agreement with Camp Kiev aimed at interesting and involving females in science.

Frost said Tuesday that he began his education career 28 years ago in Rangeley, where he taught for two years. He then taught four years at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill and one year at Bangor Christian Academy before accepting a post at Brewer in 1981.

Frost and his wife, Lori, also an educator, have three children. James, who turns 20 this month, and 17-year-old Katie, are enrolled in college. Andrew, 15, will transfer to Brewer High.