District Announces Principal Appointments for St. Anthony Village High School and Wilshire Park Elementary

St. Anthony Village, MN — St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools (ISD 282) is pleased to announce the appointment of two experienced and highly regarded school leaders who will serve as principals beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. Dr. Joel Leer has been selected to lead St. Anthony Village High School (SAVHS), and Suzanne Moum has been selected to lead Wilshire Park Elementary School.

According to Superintendent Renee Corneille, the selections reflect the district’s priorities and the input of its school communities, with both leaders demonstrating strong instructional leadership, visible and relational leadership, and a deep commitment to student success. She noted that the district “intentionally used a comprehensive, community-informed process to identify candidate profiles, interview, and select the finalists,” and expressed confidence that the SANB community can feel assured in both the process and the outcome as the district welcomes two outstanding principals to lead its schools into the next chapter.

Dr. Joel Leer — St. Anthony Village High School

Dr. Joel Leer brings more than 25 years of experience in public education, including 16 years as a high school principal, as well as experience as an assistant principal, teacher, and university faculty member preparing future school leaders. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Minnesota and has contributed to research and professional learning focused on equity and student access to advanced coursework.

He previously served as interim principal at St. Anthony Village High School in spring 2025, where he built strong relationships with students, staff, and families and developed a deep understanding of the school community. Throughout the selection process, Dr. Leer was recognized as “a veteran leader who brings a high degree of experience” and someone who has already “earned the trust of the staff” and understands the complexities of the building.

Dr. Leer described SAVHS as “a special place with a small-town feel and strong sense of community,” adding that returning to the school “feels in many ways like coming home.” He emphasized that his leadership will be grounded in relationships, with a focus on building a strong sense of belonging, trust, and connection for students and staff.

He also described this moment as an opportunity to build forward together, calling it “a bit of a reset—a blank slate grounded in what makes this a special place,” and noting that his approach will center on listening, strengthening relationships, and ensuring every member of the school community feels supported.

Dr. Leer’s selection provides continuity for the high school while positioning SAVHS for continued growth and stability.

Ms. Suzanne Moum — Wilshire Park Elementary School

Suzanne Moum brings nearly two decades of experience in education, including five years as an elementary principal leading school improvement, district and state-level curriculum work, and system-wide change. Her background spans high school teaching, middle school leadership, and district-level work, providing a comprehensive K–12 perspective on student learning and development.

A James Madison Fellow, Ms. Moum brings a leadership approach grounded in thoughtful decision-making, civic responsibility, and a commitment to inclusive practices that support every student.

As principal of Crest Hill Elementary in Casper, Wyoming, she led a successful school turnaround, moving the school from “not meeting” to “meeting” state expectations while building sustainable systems in literacy, intervention, and instructional practice. She is recognized for her expertise in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), inclusive programming, and developing strong, consistent systems that support both students and staff.

Throughout the selection process, Ms. Moum was recognized as a highly organized and experienced leader with a proven track record, including measurable improvements in student behavior and academic outcomes.

Ms. Moum described St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools as “a true village community—a small, connected place where people are all in for the schools and focused on what is best for kids,” and highlighted the district’s commitment to supporting every student and creating “joyful learning environments where each child’s brilliance can shine.” She emphasized the importance of honoring Wilshire Park’s strong foundation while continuing to grow, and noted that her leadership will center on collaboration—working alongside teachers and drawing on their expertise to support students.

Ms. Moum’s selection reflects the district’s commitment to strong elementary leadership and continued investment in student success.

About the Selection Process

The principal hiring process was designed to be structured, fair, and community-informed. Input from students, staff, families, and community members helped define leadership priorities for each school, which were then used to guide candidate screening, interviews, and final decision-making.

Candidates advanced through a multi-step process that included independent screening using standardized criteria, multiple rounds of interviews with staff, leadership, and community panels, and structured feedback aligned to school-specific leadership profiles. Finalists participated in additional interviews and reference checks, with decisions based on consistent alignment across all data points.

School Board members also met with the Superintendent to review the process, data, and decision-making approach, supporting transparency and ensuring a shared understanding of how final selections were made.

To learn more about the comprehensive hiring process, view the process overview and infographic.

👉 Principal Hiring Process Overview

Next Steps

The School Board will formally acknowledge the principal appointments as part of its regular governance process at its March 24 meeting, where the principals-elect will also be present and recognized.

#####