NAMPA — The Nampa School District named Matt Crist as principal for East Valley Middle School starting in the 2009-10 school year.

Crist replaces Terry Adolfson, who retired this past spring.

"Matt is an experienced leader who has the skills and talents to work collaboratively with East Valley staff, parents, and students to reach our goals for student achievement," said Heath Thomason, chief educational officer of the Columbia Cluster of schools, which includes East Valley.

Crist has been an administrator and teacher in the district since 1997. Since 2006, he has served as the lead building administrator at Skyview High School.

He earned a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Idaho and a bachelor's degree in earth science education from Boise State University.

Crist, his wife and their three children live in Nampa.