CEDAR LAKE | Bill Cope was on the job Wednesday as the newly appointed interim principal of Hanover Middle School.

In a special session Tuesday, the Hanover School Board hired Cope to fill the vacancy left when former middle school Principal Robert McRae was named the Hanover Central High School principal just two days before classes began.

McRae's move was made necessary by the resignation of Adrian Richie, who had been hired as the high school principal in May, but opted out last month to accept the principal position at Lowell High School.

Cope retied in 1995 from the Hobart school district after 39 years there as both a teacher and administrator. He was principal there when the school district went from a junior high system to a middle school concept.

More recently, Cope has served as interim principal in Crown Point Community Schools and the Griffith school district.

Hanover Interim Superintendent William Gall said Cope will remain on board until the board finds a new middle school principal.

In another matter, the Hanover School Board approved a memo of understanding with the Cedar Lake Boys & Girls Club, which provides that the club will assume responsibility for the transportation of youngsters in their after-school program.

Gall said the Boys & Girls Club will pick up children registered in their post-school program at the end of each school day from Jane Ball and Lincoln elementaries and Hanover Middle School. In turn, Gall said, the school district agrees to assist the club in marketing its after-school program to the community.