Elm Place Middle School Principal Resigns

Elm Place Middle School Principal Richard Schroeder on Monday accepted a position as Director of assessment and Accountability at East Aurora School District 31 and will begin in the new role immediately.

“I’ve appreciated Richard’s service to the Elm Place community,” said North Shore School District 112 Superintendent Michael Bregy. “However, I understand that this new position represents an exciting career opportunity for him, and I know Elm Place Middle school staff and families echo my sentiments and join me in wishing him well.”

Replacing Schroeder on an interim basis will be Debra Ancona, who will work closely with Elm Place Associate Principal Heather Schumacher and Associate Principal for Student Services Crissy Mombela to provide leadership at Elm Place for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year.

Ancona retired in June from her position as Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Support at Schaumburg District 54, a position she held since 2005. Prior to that, she served as principal of Margaret Mead Junior High School in Elk Grove Village.

According to a District 112 news release, Ancona was highly regarded as “an effective and collaborative leader.”

“We are fortunate to have found someone of Mrs. Ancona’s caliber,” Bregy said. “Her knowledge and experience will allow her to step right in and work closely with Associate Principal Heather Schumacher to provide excellent leadership at Elm Place.”

In accepting the position, Ancona said District 112 has “a stellar reputation” for student learning.

“I’m excited to be able to contribute to continued student and staff success,” she said. “My background includes working as a middle school principal and special education teacher, and there’s nothing I like more than working with middle school students.”

Photos of Richard Schroeder and Debra Ancona