4 Assistant Principals Hired At Plainfield South High School

PLAINFIELD, IL — Four of Plainfield South High School's assistant principals are new this year, according to district officials.

Lisa Smith is the new associate principal for curriculum and instruction, while Bill Bicker is the new assistant principal for attendance and discipline. Karla Ortiz is the new assistant principal for student services, and Mike Philipps is the new assistant principal for special education.

Smith, a 24-year education veteran, most recently served as the assistant principal for attendance, discipline and building operations at Plainfield South. Before that, she also taught business education. The educator first began working at the high school when it opened in 2001.

Similarly to Smith, Bicker started his new role after holding a different position — dean of students — at Plainfield South. With a 22-year career in education, teaching at various districts, Bicker began working at Plainfield South as head football coach and an English teacher in 2016.

With 17 years of experience in education, Ortiz comes to Plainfield South having worked as a counselor for 16 years at Plainfield North High School. Her resume also includes working for a year as a counselor at Lincoln Way East High School in Frankfort.

Of the four, Phillips is the only out-of-district hire. A 15-year education veteran, he most recently serves as the assistant director of student services at Bolingbrook High School, a position he held for six years. The educator also has experience teaching general and special education classes, officials said.