Four District 202 school administrators will assume new roles in the 2025-2026 school year.
The Board of Education approved the changes at its meeting on June 23, 2025. The administrators start their new positions on July 1.
Dr. Joe O’Brien is the new Director of Administration and Personnel for High School. He currently serves as the Principal at Plainfield East High School. O’Brien is replacing Dr. Craig Brown, who is retiring.
O’Brien is a 25-year education veteran and spent 17 of those years at PEHS.
He was a physical education and health teacher at Joliet Catholic Academy, a dean and head baseball coach at Marian Catholic High School before coming to PEHS as an assistant principal, then as principal.
O’Brien said he will miss PEHS but is excited about this new opportunity.
“202 is a District that prides itself on community and family, I will work tirelessly to uphold this standard of excellence,” he said.
Kai Freeman is the new Plainfield East High School Principal. He currently serves as the Drauden Point Middle School Principal.
Freeman is no stranger to PEHS. He served as a dean and assistant principal there before moving to Drauden Point as its principal.
“I am excited to return to the place where it all started for me in District 202,” he said.
Freeman is a 20-year education veteran, with 12 of those years spent in District 202.
He started his career as a physical education teacher at Thornwood High School before moving to PEHS as a dean of students.
“My approach for this new leadership opportunity will not change,” Freeman said.
"Building positive relationships with all members of the school community is the foundation”.
Debbie Odegaard Carpenter is the new Drauden Point Middle School Principal, where she currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction.
Odegaard Carpenter is a 33-year education veteran and has spent 32 years in District 202.
She began her career as an English as a Second Language teacher in Darien before coming to District 202 to teach math and science at Grand Prairie Elementary School.
Odegaard Carpenter has taught at the elementary and middle school levels during her career.
She worked in special and general education areas, teaching honors, social studies.
“I am genuinely excited to contribute my skills and experience to this incredible community and look forward to working collaboratively to achieve our shared goals,” Odegaard Carpenter said.
Kristen Salgado is the new Crystal Lawns Elementary School Principal . She currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Eichelberger Elementary School.
Salgado has spent her entire career - 28 years - in District 202.
She taught fourth and fifth grades at Eagle Pointe Elementary School and third and fourth grades at Lakewood Falls Elementary School.
Salgado was an assistant principal at Wesmere Elementary School before moving to the same job at Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School for the past eight years.
She is looking forward to helping students and staff grow while honoring the traditions of the community, she said.
“The staff at Crystal Lawns are dedicated and passionate educators who positively impact the lives of their students and families, and I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with them,” Salgado said.
A focus on retaining and recruiting staff is a goal in the District’s Strategic Plan said Jennifer Orlos, District 202 Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Personnel.
The plan includes helping current staff members expand their leadership opportunities in the “Grow Your Own” program.
“Plainfield School District 202 takes pride in the ‘Grow Your Own’ program and support system for our staff. Dr. O’Brien, Mr. Freeman, Ms. Salgado, and Ms. Odegaard Carpenter, are all a testament to this program,” Orlos said.