The superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools resigns to take a job overseas.

Dr. Paul Johnson has been with Bismarck Public Schools for nine years.

But now its time for a new challenge.

Johnson announces today that he's accepted a job in Bulgaria.

He'll serve as President of the American College of Sofia.

Johnson says the school was established in 1860 and has a long history.

He says the school offers a college like atmosphere for high school students.

Dr. Paul Johnson:"So they actually built the buildings according to specifications that you might find at Harvard or Yale or kind of classic college buildings, so that was one very interesting aspect. The mission of the school is quite interesting as well, because its intended to actually prepare very advanced Bulgarian students to succeed in American colleges, to succeed in British colleges."


Johnson says every major city in the world has an American International school.

He says he plans on working a few more years...and says he didn't think an opportunity like this would come along again.

Dr. Johnson:"This one the fact that it was in Europe was attractive, the fact that it was in a developing country and I felt like I could maybe contribute to that part of the world which is really struggling to recover from all of those years under communism and the fact that the school itself is unique."


Johson signed a three year contract with the new school.

He plans to start his new job July 1st.

He and his wife Theresa plan to keep their home in Bismarck and eventually retire here. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list