The Jim Thorpe Area School Board hired a longtime parochial school administrator as the new principal of the L.B. Morris Elementary School.

Barbara Ann Conway, 50, of Hazleton, was approved by a 7-1 vote. Her first year salary will be $60,000.

Conway, who is stepping down as principal of Holy Trinity Elementary School, Hazleton, to accept the Jim Thorpe post, has been an administrator for 17 years.

A 1969 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, she began her career in education in 1973.

She succeeds Diane Wettstein, who resigned in June to accept a similar position in Bucks County.