After nearly two years without an official leader, Westminster Catawba Christian School in Rock Hill has hired a headmaster.

The school announced Monday that Ray Casey, the former superintendent of Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, Ind., will start on July 1.

The announcement caps a roughly two-year search that Westminster school officials said spanned the nation. "It's just how long it took for us to find someone," said the school's business operations manager Bryan Martin.

Some 250 people applied for the job, Martin said.

Westminster Catawba Christian teaches about 625 students from York County and surrounding areas in preschool through 12th grade. The school operates two campuses about five minutes apart off India Hook Road. Preschool through third grade is on one campus. Fourth grade through 12th is on the other.

Tuition ranges from about $2,100 for two-day preschool students to more than $6,700 for high schoolers.

Since former headmaster John Blumenstein left in June 2007, his duties have been split between other employees.

"It's worked out pretty well," said Sandi Jolly, who has been acting as part interim headmaster. "It's allowed us to be picky. We knew what we wanted and we waited for the Lord to bring us that person."

Blumenstein's departure caused a commotion. The school's board of directors resigned after parents accused them of treating Blumenstein unfairly and neglecting to renew his contract.

Board members at the time declined to discuss details.

Things have since calmed down, Martin said.

The staff is looking forward to July, Jolly said.

"We're very excited," she said. "It's like a new beginning."

The school will introduce Casey to parents Thursday evening in Westminster Hall at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1320 India Hook Road. The program is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

For details, call 803-366-4119.