The School Board has chosen former Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Principal Stephen Donovan to be principal at Bedford High School next year, the school district announced Tuesday, May 4.

“We’re extremely excited and Stephen was a very good candidate,” said School Board Chairman David Sacks. “We think he’s a good fit for Bedford.”

Donovan was at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Mass., from 1991-2008. Prior to that, he was the Director of Pupil Services for the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District from 1984-91 and the Coordinator of Special Education for the same district from 1982-84. He is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Special Services in the Brookline School District, Brookline, Mass.

During his tenure at Acton-Boxborough High School, the school population grew from 1,400 to almost 2,000 students and Donovan oversaw a three-year $54 million building project which added capacity and updated the high school facilities.

The project earned him a reputation as an “out-of-the box” thinker who solves problems and meets the needs of all students.

He hired teachers who passed his “three-point test”: they must love teaching, be passionate about their subject and enjoy young people. He supported the expansion of co-curricular programs to include more clubs and activities that addressed the interests and passions of the student body.

The selection process for a new principal was guided by a 14-member search committee composed of School Board members, high school staff, students and parents, in addition to building and district level administrators. The search process included visits to the schools of the two finalists and day-long visits to Bedford High School for the candidates to meet with students, staff, parents and community members.

Superintendent Tim Mayes said his relationships with students was especially important for the search committee.

“We found that he has great relationships with kids, and that’s going to be important for the next principal as it is now,” Mayes said. “You could see that when he visited the school and was able to develop a really good relationship and conversation with kids.”

In February, current Principal George Edwards announced he was retiring. In July, Edwards will take a new position as associate director of the Commission on Public Secondary Schools, an arm of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, an accrediting agency for New England high schools and colleges.

The other finalist was Katherine Dawe, assistant principal of Triton Regional High School in Byfield, Mass.

Donovan will begin work July 1.

“We are fortunate to have found someone with Mr. Donovan’s experience and qualifications,” Mayes said. “His strong background in special services and role as principal for the 1,900-pupil Acton-Boxborough High School will serve Bedford well as Bedford High School continues to grow towards a diverse student body of 1,500 students.”

“Steve developed a wonderful relationship with his staff and students, one in which all feel valued and listened to, while maintaining high academic, social, and civic expectations for all students,” said Mays. “This is the culture that we aspire to have at Bedford High School.”