The Jefferson County Board of Education appointed Scott Dickens as the new principal of Shepherdstown Elementary School on Monday night at its board meeting.

Jacobson, 47, has 16 years of teaching experience in science and mathematics in elementary schools.

The last three years Jacobson served as principal and superintendent at Clarkdale-Jerome School, a K-8 public elementary school in Clarkdale, Arizona.

Jacobson has a degree in zoology from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Phoenix in Kingston, an online university.

Jacobson, who starts Dec. 5, replaces interim principal Cary Gill who has overseen the school so far this school year.

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Jacobson has also taught in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. His mother now lives in Charles Town.

“I wanted to come back here, you have no idea,” Jacobson said.

“I love this area; it is beautiful here.”

Jacobson’s hire ends a six month search for a permanent principal.

Shepherdstown Elementary Principal Suzanne Offutt retired in June at the end of the school year.

Since then, a group of head teachers have served as interim principal, a BOE spokeswoman said.