New elementary principals coming on board for 2009-10:

Michelle Halter will be the principal of Bush Elementary School starting in the 2009-10 school year. Halter started with Salem-Keizer in 2001. She has been a 3rd grade teacher as well as an Instructional Coach. And, starting on July 1, 2009, she will be the new principal of Bush Elementary School. She takes over for Dave Bertholf who is going to be the principal of Scott Elementary School in NE Salem.

Corina Valencia-Chavez is joining the Swegle Elementary School staff as the new principal. She joined Salem-Keizer in 2000 and has been a Grade 1-2 Bilingual teacher, an Instructional Coach, and most recently, an Elementary Bilingual Resource Teacher at Instructional Services. She will join the Swegle Elementary Schools staff on July 1 as the new principal. She replaces Phil Decker who is going to be the principal of Four Corners Elementary School in SE Salem.

Marc Morris will be the principal of Eyre Elementary School. He joined Salem-Keizer in 2005 as the assistant principal of Eyre Elementary. He takes over as principal on July 1. Current principal Bill Newton is taking a leave of absence for the 2009-10 school year.

Monica Takata is joining Middle Grove Elementary School as its new principal. She started with Salem-Keizer in 2000 and has been a Kindergarten Bilingual teacher, 1st Grade Bilingual teacher and most recently, Elementary Bilingual Resource teacher at Instructional Services. She takes over for Joe Valencia who is moving to Walker Middle School as the assistant principal.

Status of new or re-assigned principals so far for 2009-10:

Bush Elementary:

New principal - Michelle Halter; departing principal - Dave Bertholf (going to Scott Elem.)

Eyre Elementary:

New principal - Marc Morris; departing principal - Bill Newton (taking leave of absence)

Four Corners Elementary:

New principal - Phil Decker; departing principal - Gail Gregson (interim principal)

Lee Elementary:

New principal - Sara Casebeer; departing principal - Scott Butterfied (New employment outside of Salem-Keizer)

Middle Grove:

New principal - Monica Takata; departing principal - Joe Valencia (going to Walker Middle as assistant principal)

Roberts High School:

New principal - Lorelei Gilmore; departing principal - Mary Jean Sandall (retiring). Lorelei Gilmore will also be the principal of Early College High School.

Salem Heights:

New principal - Mimi Pileggi; departing principal - Sara Casebeer (going to Lee Elem.)

Scott Elementary:

New principal - Dave Bertholf; departing principal - Mimi Pileggi (going to Salem Heights)

Sprague High School:

New principal - Curtiss Scholl; departing principal - Cheryl Bower (retiring)

Swegle Elementary:

New principal - Corina Valencia-Chavez; departing principal - Phil Decker (going to Four Corners Elem.)

Matthew Biondi - current assistant principal at North Salem High School is going to be an assistant principal at South Salem High School. He replaces Barton Tumlinson who has resigned.

Edward "Jay" Crystal - current assistant principal at McNary High School is going to be an assistant principal at Sprague High School. He replaces Don Tomlin who is retiring.

John Weeks - current Director of Curriculum and Instruction is going to be an assistant principal at Sprague High School. He replaces Mary Leach-Provancha who went to North Salem High School as assistant principal. Director of Curriculum and Instruction position will be left vacant.

Mary Leach-Provancha - current assistant principal at Sprague High School is going to be an assistant principal at North Salem High School. She replaces Matthew Biondi who went to South Salem High.

Willese Everson - currently a Principal on Special Assignment in Secondary Education is going to be the new assistant principal at McNary High School. She replaces Edward "Jay" Crystal who is going to Sprague High.