Crescent Harbor Elementary School will have a new principal this fall.

Oak Harbor school officials recently announced Kate Schreck, a current principal at McDermoth Elementary School in Aberdeen, will take over for Principal Craig Dunnam.

Dunnam decided to resign from his nine-year post at the elementary school due to family reasons.

“I’ve enjoyed the students and parents at Oak Harbor, it’s a great place and great school,” Dunnam said of his time at Crescent Harbor.

Assistant Superintendent Lance Gibbon told the school board that Schreck stood out in a very strong pool of candidates. She taught for seven years at Cascade Middle School in Sedro-Wooley and has two years of experience with StoryTown, a reading program adopted last year for elementary students.

“That means she has an extra year of experience than we do,” Gibbon said.

He described Schreck as a “very personable individual who comes across as warm and engaging.”

She also has a healthy sense of humor about her name. Over the years Schreck has gathered posters and memorabilia from the 2001 film “Shrek,” the fairy tale story of an ogre trying to regain his swamp.

“With a name like mine, how can you not,” Schreck said. “Between gifts and other things, it begs a collection.”

“It sounds like a fun way to keep kids connected to the principal,” Gibbon said.

After two years as a principal in Aberdeen, Schreck is looking forward to continuing her work. She is making the move due to budget and staffing cutbacks in the Aberdeen School District.

Schreck believes Oak Harbor is a supportive community, and from her tour of the school she was impressed by the friendly staff and solid programs.

“I think the school is very strong. I’m sure that strength comes from the power of the Crescent Harbor team to make sure we’re doing what’s right for kids.”