The Wake County school board moved one high school principal to Central Office this evening and transferred another principal to a different school.

John Williams, the principal of Middle Creek High School in Cary, was appointed senior director for high school education. The job became open after Ruth Steidinger switched to being senior director for middle school education.

Williams opened Middle Creek in 2001 and will leave the school on Nov. 1. Thomas Dixon will serve as interim principal at Middle Creek, Dixon, the former longtime principal of Apex High School, will receive a salary that's equivalent to $131,580 a year.

The Wake County school board filled two top-level jobs and a principal's vacancy tonight.

Christine Mulder was hired for the newly renamed position of chief of family and public engagement. The job was previously called chief of communications but is being revamped as part of Superintendent Tony Tata's shakeup of his leadership team.

Her predecessor, Michael Evans, resigned last month.

UPDATE

Mulder's salary is $132,500. Baker's salary is $120,000.

Most Wake County students aren't in class yet but we've already got the 2010-11 finalists for Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year.

The Principal of the Year finalists, announced on Thursday, are James Argent of Lake Myra Elementary, Pamela Kinsey-Barker of Brassfield Elementary, Teresa Winstead of Durant Road Elementary, Cathy Williams of East Garner Middle and Dana King of Millbrook High.