Last year, Cedar Heights Junior High was in a bit of a scramble. Principal Bruce Dearborn resigned from his position there late in the school year, at a time when school staff was already overwhelmed with the year-end rush.

School officials opted to hire an interim principal, hoping to get someone who could at least keep things running while they searched for the best possible replacement.

They did not know when they hired interim principal Andrew Cain that he was the best possible fit. After re-examining the situation, the school decided to keep Cain on permanently.

“It was pretty evident from the get go that he was a good fit for Cedar Heights,” said Monica Garcia, science teacher and instructional specialist at the school. “We were really surprised when Andrew came through at the quality of an individual he was.”

Garcia noted that when hiring an interim position at such short notice, the school needed someone quick, and officials there were willing to take on someone who wasn’t a perfect fit — so they were lucky to get Cain.

Interim principals are invited to apply for the full-time position, but not guaranteed acceptance — but Cain was an exception.

Garcia and others on a hiring committee spoke with the school staff and held an informal vote. All of the staff, with the exception of one abstention, said they would like Cain full-time.

With the staff recommendation, the rest was up to the South Kitsap School District Board, which formally appointed Cain at its Dec. 19 meeting, just as schools were letting out.

Garcia said teachers returned from the December break to learn that Cain had been hired.

Cain came to the district from Shorecrest High School, where he served as assistant principal since 2001.

He has been a teacher, administrative intern and substitute elementary principal and earned his degree from Pacific University.

“I am thankful for this wonderful opportunity,” said Cain said in a press release from the district. “I am passionate about public education, and am committed to providing leadership at Cedar for those who have the honor and great responsibility of educating our children.”