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SALUDA—Veteran educator and administrator Erika Stronach has been named the new principal of Saluda Elementary School.

Stronach joins the Saluda faculty after serving the past three years as Director of Human Resources for Rutherford County Schools. She spent five years prior to that position serving as an elementary school principal and assistant principal.

“I am beyond thrilled to become a part of the Saluda Elementary School team and feel deeply honored by this opportunity,” Stronach said. “With 110 percent dedication, I look forward to serving the amazing students, faculty, parents and community.”

Stronach holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Carolina, a master’s degree in elementary education from Appalachian State and a post master’s degree in public school leadership from WCU. She began her administrative career in 2015 as an assistant principal at Pisgah Forest Elementary School before moving to Rutherford County in 2016 as an assistant principal at Spindale Elementary School.

She assumed the principal’s position at Mount Vernon-Ruth Elementary in 2018 and helped that school record top 10 percent growth in North Carolina in 2018-19. She remained at Mount Vernon-Ruth until June 2020, when she joined the Rutherford County district staff.

“Polk County Schools is excited to announce Erika Stronach will be the next principal of Saluda Elementary School,” said Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene. “She has a wealth of administrative experience in a variety of roles that I am confident will help her serve the students, families and staff of Saluda Elementary very well.

“We are excited to bring Mrs. Stronach into our Polk Schools Family and to take the helm at Saluda.”

Stronach and her family reside in Mill Spring.