the Island this month.

Ernest Payette -- who was earlier tipped to take up the $80,000-a-year post -- has been offered a three-year contract which will begin on September 1, the Public Service Commission confirmed yesterday.

The 46-year-old Canadian educator will come to Bermuda with close to 20 years of experience under his belt.

Mr. Payette, of Belleville, Ontario, has served as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, vice principal and principal.

And as the principal for the past eight years of Trenton High School in Trenton, Ontario, which has 800 teenage and 200 adult students, he is no stranger to education reform.

"While there he developed and improved a wide range of educational programmes and experiences for the students and the community, including the use of computer technology as an aspect of student learning and instruction,'' the PSC noted.

Mr. Payette has also served as curriculum coordinator for mathematics, science, computers and technology for the Hastings County Board of Education.

And he was given the responsibility of developing new integrated technology courses in the area.

Last month, Mr. Payette told The Royal Gazette he believed Bermuda was moving in the right direction with its plans for inclusive education.

And yesterday chairman of the interim senior secondary school board Garry Madeiros said the board was looking forward to Mr. Payette's arrival.

"The board is looking forward to his arrival with great anticipation so we can finally commence all the things that need to be put in place and ready by September,'' Mr. Madeiros said.

In addition to ensuring that housing was secured for Mr. Payette and his wife, Carolyn, the board will immediately begin its public relations strategy of the senior school at Prospect.

Mr. Madeiros said: "Although we have already outlined different issues and the stakeholders who need to be addressed, obviously one wants to have the principal person here as we progress.'' He noted that Mr. Payette will be expected to visit with students who will be eligible to attend the senior secondary school in September, next year, and their parents so that they will be familiar with him.

"It will be our objective to ensure as much interaction with parents as possible,'' he stressed. "It will also be our goal to have at least two parents included in the permanent board.''