The position became available after current principal Joe Ferdinands announced he would retire at the end of this year.
Newly appointed principal Melissa Bell has been working at the College of Education at the University of Otago.
Formerly, she was principal of St Hilda’s Collegiate in Dunedin and a specialist classroom support at John McGlashan College.
Maniototo school board chairwoman Belinda Colling said the board was "thrilled to have someone of the calibre of Melissa with her experience and skill set joining our school".
The area school had had some development, a full rebuild having been undertaken over the past couple of years, which was nearing completion, Ms Colling said.
The projected completion date for the $11 million redevelopment is mid next year.
Future development projects include a playground, sports turf and gymnasium, to be completed in the next three years.
