New principal to lead Maine East High beginning next year
Park Ridge's Maine East High School will start the 2022-23 school year with a new principal.
The Maine Township High School District 207 board this week named Melissa Pikul as the school's next top administrator.
She now serves as associate principal for family and student services at Maine South High in Park Ridge.
Pikul will succeed Principal Mike Pressler, who is set to retire after 11 years in that role and 30 years in District 207.
She will start her new job July 1. Her base annual salary will be $180,000 the first year, documents indicate.
Pikul called being named Maine East's next principal an honor.
"I look forward to being a part of the team of incredible educators and staff members at Maine East as we work to ensure each and every student has the opportunity to be a success when they graduate," she said in a news release.
Pikul has been at Maine South since 2019. Superintendent Ken Wallace praised her as an exceptional leader in student services.
"Her attention to detail and her diligence in serving students, families and staff has been a hallmark of her work in this district, and it will be the foundation of her continued success as the new Maine East principal," Wallace said.
Pikul previously served as assistant principal for student services at Lake Zurich High School for five years and as a dean there. She also taught at Warren Township High School in Gurnee.