JUSTIN ANDREWS -- The Novinger R-1 School District has selected a new superintendent. .

Rick Roberts is from the south Shelby area and was unanimously selected by the Novinger school board.

This selection comes after the current superintendent, Bill Lake, announced his retirement a few months ago.

School Board Member Rusty Wayman tells us he's sure Roberts will be a good fit.

I think we're looking at someone that will continue our growth," Wayman said. "We have a great facility here, we've done a lot of updates to heating and cooling the last few years. We felt like he's someone that will continue the path that we're on."

He adds Roberts has ties to Novinger, his mother graduated from Novinger High School and his father coached at the high school.

Wayman says Lake has put in his dues as the superintendent. He tells us they started putting feelers out and let it be known that they were looking for a superintendent.

He says the school board screened through nine applicants to finally make their final decision

Roberts will officially take his superintendent seat in June.