Selena Lukasiewicz (Courtesy photo)
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island Public Schools is pleased to share the news of leadership transitions at Walnut Middle School and Starr Elementary School.
Selena Lukasiewicz (Valentine) has been named the next principal at Walnut Middle School, and Kelli Wemhoff has been named the next principal at Starr Elementary School. Both leaders will assume their new positions this summer heading into the 2026-27 school year.
Selena Lukasiewicz has been with the school district for 21 years. Since the 2022-23 school year, she has served as principal of Starr Elementary School. During her time leading the Stallions, Starr Elementary School was named a Model School from the Center for Model Schools in 2024.
Prior to her time with Starr, Lukasiewicz served as an assistant principal at Walnut for seven years. During that time at Walnut, Lukasiewicz was instrumental in Walnut’s 2017 recognition as a Demonstration School of Rigor.
Before joining Walnut, she served as a special education teacher and education consultant at Grand Island Senior High School, as well as Instructional coach for the school district’s secondary schools.
Lukasiewicz said, “It is with deep gratitude and a full heart that I share I am returning to where my leadership journey first began at Walnut Middle School. It is truly a bittersweet moment, as I have been part of an amazing team for the past four years at Starr Elementary. Students will continue to grow and succeed supported by two strong new administrators and an already skilled, dedicated staff at Starr. As I return to Walnut, I do so with greater experience, a clearer purpose, and an even stronger commitment to serving our students, staff, and families. I am grateful for the past and inspired by what we will accomplish together.”
This move comes on the heels of Rod Foley, current Walnut principal, set to serve as the superintendent of Sandy Creek Schools starting this summer.
Wemhoff has been an enthusiastic leader in the district for the past two years. She has served as the assistant principal of Dodge Elementary School this year after serving as the Seedling Mile Elementary School principal the previous year. Prior to joining the school district, Wemhoff served as a first grade and second grade teacher at Northwest Public Schools for 12 years in addition to coaching for volleyball and track.
Wemhoff said, “I am excited and honored to begin this new opportunity as principal at Starr Elementary. I look forward to building strong relationships with students, staff, and families while continuing the amazing work already happening at Starr. I am eager to partner with Mrs. Sell and the amazing staff to support the growth of every student and celebrate successes along the way.”
The school district will immediately begin the search for the assistant principal vacancy at Dodge Elementary School. The district plans to share more as the process develops in the coming weeks.
Superintendent Matt Fisher affirmed the new opportunities for these two proven educational leaders.
“We are excited to have proven leaders within our district embrace new opportunities to lead our students and staff.” Fisher said. “I’m confident that both of these ladies will hit the ground running in their new roles. Additionally we want to thank Mr. Foley for his many years of providing strong leadership in our district and wish him the best in his new position.”
As these leaders look to move into their roles early this summer, the district will be scheduling opportunities for staff, students, and families to connect with them before the 2026-27 school year. Grand Island Public Schools is excited to see Lukasiewicz and Wemhoff shape the future of students at Walnut and Starr.
