At the close of Monday night’s school board meeting, Austin Public Schools could have two new principals.

New Superintendent David Krenz announced Monday that Sheila Berger has accepted the position of Sumner Elementary principal for the 2009-10 school year, while DeWitt Schara has accepted the position of Neveln Elementary School principal for the upcoming school year as well. Both hires are pending school board approval.

Berger earned her Bachelors of Science degree from Northwest Missouri State and her masters degree in educational leadership from Mankato State. She has served as a teacher at Sumner Elementary since 2004 and previously served as the director of Educational Services with Austin Public Schools from 2001-2004.

Schara earned his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, a Masters of Science and also K-12 principal licensure from Mankato State. Schara served as a teacher at Ellis Middle School and Austin High School from 1996 until 2006 when he was named assistant principal at Ellis Middle School.

“We are excited to have Sheila Berger and DeWitt Schara join our elementary leadership team,” Krenz said in a statement. “Their experience with our school district and their focus on high student achievement, staff collaboration and parent involvement will be a benefit to our students, staff and community.”