MONROE — After less than half an hour in closed session deliberating their choices, the Monroe Board of Education announced it would hire a graduate of Monroe High School and an elementary school teacher with a decade of experience to oversee Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and serve as the director of the district 4K program. 

Jenna Trame was hired as the principal of Abe Lincoln Elementary Monday during the second board meeting in July, which was held at Parkside Elementary School. She will begin a two-year contract, with a first-year salary of $86,000, District Administrator Rick Waski said. 

Trame was one of seven candidates chosen in a meeting of roughly 18 people, including Waski, professional and support staff from Abe Lincoln, board members and administrative staff. The hiring committee interviewed candidates and made a decision following those talks to recommend Trame to the board.

Since 2008, Trame has been employed with the Oconomowoc Area School District as a teacher at Park Lawn Elementary. She began as a first-grade instructor, moving to kindergarten in 2014. In her resume, she notes being a part of curriculum-driven teams, training in math, supervision, writing and reading leadership roles and receiving more than one nomination for the Herb Kohl Fellowship. 

“Jenna’s distinguished herself over the last 10 years as a leader among teachers,” Waski said. “She’s shown a high level of mastery in early childhood development.”

Waski said the district is “excited about Jenna leading Abe Lincoln Elementary” and are happy to see a former student return to contribute to a positive future for Monroe schools.