Brian Swatland has been named superintendent at Dunkirk City Schools.

Brian Swatland will be the Dunkirk City School District’s next superintendent.

The Dunkirk Board of Education approved a three-year contract for Swatland Tuesday. His salary was not disclosed.

The board chose to hire a replacement for Michael Mansfield, who is taking a new position with the district in July, from within the Dunkirk school system. Swatland joined the Dunkirk school district in August as director of secondary education. Prior to that, he was principal of the Williamsville East high school.

There was no public discussion on Swatland’s hiring. The Board of Education used a loophole in New York state’s Open Meetings Law to talk about the hire in private, executive sessions. The law allows the potential hiring of personnel to get discussed in executive session.

“The board worked hard and we picked a new superintendent… to fill some big shoes (to be) left by Mr. Mansfield in July,” said Board of Education head Kenneth Kozlowski. “We had a good problem, we had four good candidates.”

“I’m truly honored to accept this position as the new superintendent,” Swatland said. “When I got the call, I have to admit I was both thrilled and humbled at the same time for the responsibility you have bestowed on me.”

Swatland had a few words for school district stakeholders. He said to the district’s administration, teachers and staff, “it is my intention that you will feel valued, heard and supported.”

With parents, Swatland promised the Dunkirk district “will continue to foster partnership for betterment of our schools and school community.”

As for the students, Swatland said he “will work tirelessly on your behalf to give you all the opportunities that you deserve.”

Well-known as an sportsman – he’s in the Canisius College Hall of Fame for football – Swatland closed his remarks with an athletic reference.

“I’m excited to get started. I walked 4.71 miles on the day of the interviews and I’ll probably walk many more after this,” he said.