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Wheeler promoted to fill MMS principal post
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MONROE - The Monroe school district didn't need to look far to find Bill Van Meer's replacement as the middle school principal.

The district bypassed its normal hiring procedure and the school board on Monday approved hiring Monroe Middle School Assistant Principal Lynne Wheeler to replace Van Meer at the end of this school year.

Van Meer resigned his position as principal last week to become district administrator for the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan school district effective July 1. His resignation from MMS is effective June 30.

Van Meer has been principal at MMS for seven years. Wheeler is a 31-year veteran of the Monroe school district and is in her fourth year as assistant principal at MMS.

The board formally approved Wheeler's contract Monday.

The district bypassed its normal procedure of posting a position and interviewing multiple candidates. Superintendent Larry Brown said the district administrative team interviewed Wheeler last Monday. While Van Meer had not formally submitted his resignation, the principal had spoken with Brown about his intention to resign.

"We had an internal candidate who was qualified ... and made the recommendation to the board," Brown said of Wheeler's hiring.

Wheeler will spearhead the search for her replacement as assistant principal.

The board also formally approved hiring Bill Huinker to replace Jim Brunette as principal at Parkside Elementary School. Brunette is retiring at the end of the school year after more than 30 years with the district.

Huinker is an elementary school principal in Norway, Iowa.

Salaries for the principals, as well as other administrators, are being negotiated.