Frank Chickilly is returning to his roots in elementary education.

Chickilly, who has served as principal of the Tamaqua Middle School for the past two years, will now serve a newly-created position as elementary assistant principal of the Tamaqua Areas School District’s three elementary schools.

Chickilly was named to the new position last night by the Tamaqua School Board on an 8-0 vote following the recommendation of the board’s Strategic Planning Committee. Previously, the district utilized one principal, Thomas Ponting, for Tamaqua, West Penn and Rush Elementary schools.