PLAINFIELD – Plainfield East High School assistant principal Joe O’Brien will become the school’s second principal to date next school year, according to a news release from Plainfield School District 202.

The board named O'Brien the new principal at its Nov. 9 regular meeting. He will replace Principal Tony Manville, who will become the new assistant superintendent for administration and personnel July 1.

Manville opened East in 2008 and O’Brien was among his original administrators. O’Brien came to District 202 as East’s first dean of students.

He was named interim assistant principal in September 2008, when the original assistant principal left the district. He has served as assistant principal since September 2010.

“His experience in opening the building in 2008 as well as being a valued member of the administrative team provide him with a strong sense of East’s history. We look forward to Joe maintaining and building on the great culture and climate that is present each and every day at Plainfield East High School,” Superintendent Lane Abrell said in the release.

O’Brien started his education career as a health and physical education teacher at Joliet Catholic Academy from 2000 to 2006. He then served for two years as assistant dean of students at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights before coming to District 202.

“My family and I are so appreciative of the relationships we have formed with District 202 and the Plainfield East Family,” he said in the release. “I am thrilled about this opportunity.”