AVON, S.D. (AP) - The new state Department of Education secretary, Tom Oster (OH'-stir), has spent 18 years in the Avon School District and says the transition to his new job will be bittersweet.

Oster, Avon's superintendent, begins his Cabinet-level post on Monday. He replaces Rick Melmer, who has been named the University of South Dakota's dean of education.

Oster said it's too early to talk about priorities for his new job. But he did say he is curious about what Gov. Mike Rounds will say about education during upcoming addresses to the Legislature.

Avon was 1 of the nearly two-thirds of the school districts in South Dakota to sue the state over education funding. Oster said there's nothing to do but wait and see what the judge decides.

His wife will join Oster in Pierre after their son, a senior, finishes school in Avon.