Six Hillsboro elementary schools greeted students Tuesday, Sept. 1, under new principals.

The Hillsboro School District (HSD) promoted all six from within its own ranks, as the Hillsboro News Times reported. The changes, announced by Superintendent Travis Reiman over the spring and summer, touch Imlay, Mooberry, North Plains, Patterson, Quatama and Rosedale elementary schools.

Several moves are linked. Pete Muilenburg left Mooberry after 10 years to take over Rosedale, replacing retired principal Erika Pierce.

Kellie Petrick, a 23-year district employee, moved from North Plains to Patterson after five years.

Jamie Lentz shifted from Patterson, where she served nine years, to Quatama, replacing Kathleen Coolman, who chose to return to classroom teaching.

Those departures opened seats filled by educators stepping into a principalship for the first time.

Graciela Cerda, dean of students at Lincoln Street Elementary since 2024, was named Imlay's new principal on June 11.

Cerda started in the district in 2012 as a dual-language teacher at Eastwood Elementary and is a graduate of HSD's Future Leaders program. She succeeds Mykle Rojas, who moved to the district office as director of human resources for licensed staff.

In a statement, Reiman said the Imlay community's priorities for its next leader included someone well-versed in restorative justice and behavior support and a champion for the school's existing culture.

Aurora Lopez, a K-6 humanities teacher on special assignment for the past three years, leads Mooberry. She previously spent nine years at Witch Hazel Elementary as a dual-language teacher and instructional coach. Reiman announced her appointment and that of Devin Dye on June 26.

Dye, who served as dean of students and interim assistant principal at South Meadows Middle School, leads North Plains. His background spans elementary, middle and high school classrooms, including special education and bilingual education.

All three first-time principals speak English and Spanish.

The Mooberry and North Plains positions were posted for internal candidates only after the district's May 29 administrative announcements, which also named Muilenburg, Lentz and Petrick to their new roles.

Students in grades 1 through 6 started classes Tuesday, Sept. 1. Kindergartners begin Wednesday, Sept. 2.