Anthony Arnold has been hired as principal of Avery School in the Webster Groves School District, effective July 1. He now is principal of Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary School.

Superintendent Sarah Booth Riss said Arnold recently was named the Missouri Exemplary New Principal for 2012 by the St. Louis Suburban District of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.

Before he became principal of Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary, Arnold was an assistant principal at Spoede School in the Ladue School District.

He also taught first grade at Spoede and St. Michael School in Clayton.

Also effective July 1, Cindy Neu, who has been serving as assistant principal at Avery on a part-time basis, will become the full-time assistant principal.