Westlake High School Getting New Principal

WESTLAKE, OH - On Feb. 10, Westlake High School Principal Timothy Freeman will retire. He will be replaced by Lee Burneson Middle School Principal Paul Wilson.

Lee Burneson Assistant Principal Elizabeth Dagostino will fill in as interim middle school principal for the remainder of this school year while the district searches for Wilson's replacement. The district will also name a new assistant principal for the middle school.

The district said that Freeman has been offered a new "professional opportunity" according to the district. He has served as principal of Westlake High since 2006. Before that, he was the principal of Avon Lake High School and Albion Middle School (Strongsville).

“We hate to lose him, but we understand Tim has been presented with an opportunity that uniquely fits his skill set. Opportunities do not always fit within a traditional timeline. You have to take them when they are presented. We wish him the best,” Superintendent Scott Goggin said in a statement. “Transitions like this are positive when you have familiar people in place. Paul has experience at the high school and will have the opportunity to begin crucial planning for next school year immediately.”

Wilson has been preparing for his new role as principal almost since he was hired. He joined the district in 2006 and served as the assistant principal for Westlake High School. He served in that role for four years until he was named the principal at Lee Burneson.

Wilson has received several awards during his tenure with the district, including the William M. Jones/Harvard Business School Club of Northeastern Ohio’s Excellence in School Leadership and Management Award. He also presented at the State of Ohio Middle School Conference 2012-2014. Last year he was the recipient of the Ohio PTA Outstanding District Educator award.

Wilson said he is excited to start his new position at the high school.

“Burneson will always be a special place to me. I am very proud of all that we accomplished,” Wilson said. “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to join the tremendous staff at Westlake High School and work on behalf of our students to make their goals a reality."

Prior to coming to the district, Wilson was an assistant principal and counselor at Avon Lake High School, and taught at Claymont High School in Uhrichsville. He also was a school counselor at Euclid Central Middle School.

Photo from Westlake Schools