Retiring Salk Principal Takes 33 Years of Great Memories with Her

Michele Romolt’s philosophy is a simple one.

The retiring Jonas Salk Elementary School Principal believes educators are “cheerleaders” for children.

“We are the agent for many of these kids. We’re here to build them up, build them up, build them up,” Romolt said. “It’s our job to give kids as much as we can give them in the little time we have them.”

Romolt admits she’s “not dying to leave” in June after 33 years with Valley View School District 365U, the last 11 of which were spent as Salk Principal.

“I am excited. But I am going to miss so many things.”

 The former R.C. Hill and Oak View Assistant Principal wasn’t always committed to the elementary school level. She originally decided she wanted to be a high school teacher while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree at Eastern Illinois University. She launched her career teaching for three years at Laramie Middle School (now Kirkstra) in Oak Forest and seven more years at VVSD’s Jane Addams Middle School.

“I loved middle school,” she said. “I thought there was no other place for me.”

But, in 1988, an assistant principal opening at R.C. Hill completely changed her perspective.

“It was pure luck when I look back on it,” as she recalled other people’s efforts to get her to apply for the position. “I told them I’m a middle school person. I didn’t really want to go to elementary. But they continued to encourage me.”

So she applied, and the rest is history.

“I’m very happy I came to elementary. It was such a positive change,” Romolt said.

The longtime Bolingbrook resident credits her staff and parents with making her job as easy as possible.

"You need a devoted, hard-working, passionate staff because they have to make the connections with the students. I’ve been really lucky over the years to have that kind of staff. They go above and beyond,” she said. “And my parents have always been supportive. You can see it in their kids.”

Romolt isn’t certain what the future will bring. It will definitely include expansion of some current hobbies like gardening and reading. Plus she hopes to spend more time in the gym, maybe take a cooking class “for fun” and put together some baby books for her now college-age daughter. Beyond that, anything and everything is a possibility.

“I am kind of wide open. I know I won’t be able to just sit at home. I need some direction. I need some structure,” she said. “We’ll see what happens.”

As for advice for her successor, current Irene King Assistant Principal Laura Lucas, Romolt says “build those relationships with staff, students and parents. Work hard but balance that with your personal life. Enjoy it and learn from the things that go on and then take a step forward.”

And Romolt quickly added: “She’s going to be great.”