Keith Hayashi, the award-winning principal of Waipahu High School, is being tapped to serve as deputy superintendent of Hawaii’s public schools, the Department of Education announced Wednesday.

Hayashi will begin March 1 and replace Stephen Schatz, who stepped down and recently accepted a position at the University of Hawaii.

The department said Hayashi has agreed to serve through the remainder of schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi’s term, which ends June 30.

“Keith is a proven educational leader and the success that is taking place at Waipahu High is a testament to his leadership and management skills,” Matayoshi said in a statement. “I’m pleased that he has accepted this role as we continue to strive for equity and excellence for all students.”

Hayashi, who has been at Waipahu since 2009, was named Hawaii High School Principal of the Year in 2014, and in 2013 was recognized with the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. He previously served as complex area superintendent for the Pearl City-Waipahu complex.

Hayashi is credited with pioneering the Early College program within the DOE. The program allows high school students to earn college credit toward a future degree through various UH campuses while satisfying high school diploma requirements. Waipahu is now home to the largest program in the state, with 600 students taking at least one college course last school year.

Hayashi, a graduate of Kaimuki High School, earned his bachelor’s degree and two master’s of education degrees — in educational administration and curriculum and instruction — from the University of Hawaii.

“Under Superintendent Matayoshi’s leadership we have changed our approach to student learning by using data to analyze the needs of our students and our school community,” Hayashi said in a statement. “I’m excited to join her in continuing the work from professional development and community partnerships, to creating pathways for student success.”

Despite receiving positive annual performance evaluations, the Board of Education announced in October that Matayoshi’s contract would not be renewed and has convened a search committee to find her replacement. The board’s chairman said at the time that the state has an opportunity to move public education in a new direction, citing a revised strategic plan and changes under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.