New principal named for Wheaton Warrenville South High School

Sixteen years ago, educator David Claypool and his wife moved to Wheaton so their children could attend school in Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200.

Now Claypool is leaving his position as principal of Maine South High School in Park Ridge to join the school district that impressed him so much as a parent.

Claypool on July 1 will become the next principal of Wheaton Warrenville South High School. He replaces principal Dawn Snyder, who is retiring.

On Wednesday night, District 200 school board members hired Claypool at an annual salary of $142,156.

After being introduced during the board meeting, Claypool said he's "extremely grateful" for the opportunity to be a part of District 200.

"I hope the board of education, as well as our community, understands how excited I am - how humbled I am - by the opportunity to serve my community," Claypool said, "to serve in the school and work in the school that serves my children and my children's friends and my friends' children."

Acting Superintendent Charles Baker said Claypool, who has spent seven years as principal of Maine South, was chosen from among "a very strong pool" of more than 50 candidates.

After graduating with degrees in English, journalism and communications, Claypool began his education career teaching English at Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood.

He went on to teach English at Maine South and was appointed chairman of the English department. He then served as assistant principal for instruction at the high school before being named principal in 2003.

Claypool's selection comes just weeks after District 200 announced the appointment of three other new principals for the 2010-11 school year. All three are replacing principals who are retiring.

David Bendis, principal of Timber Ridge Middle School in Plainfield, will become the principal of Franklin Middle School. Bendis started his career as a social studies teacher in Chicago and taught social studies and language arts at Kennedy Junior High School in Naperville.

Whittier Elementary School's next principal will be Chis Silagi. Currently, he is principal at Bristol Grade School in Yorkville. Silagi's past experience includes teaching second grade in Barrington and teaching fifth-grade teacher in the Indian Prairie Unit District 204.

Finally, Jon Pilkington is moving from one District 200 school to another. Pilkington will become the new principal for Washington Elementary School. He is the current assistant principal at Johnson Elementary School.