AMHERST — Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools now has a permanent superintendent, though he’s by no means new.

In a unanimous vote, the Union 26 and Regional school committees Tuesday evening appointed Michael Morris, who has been serving as interim superintendent since last August. The Union 26 committee — consisting of Amherst and Pelham School Committee members — and the regional committee met jointly concerning matters regarding the superintendent. Leverett and Shutesbury send their middle and high school students to the district.

“I’m incredibly excited to be continuing in this district where I’ve been for 17 years,” Morris said after the vote, which he watched on Amherst Media before joining the school committee for regular business.

Morris has worked in the district since his early 20s, serving as an elementary school teacher, principal, director of evaluation and assessment, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. He has a doctoral degree from Boston College.