The plan was simple. Last August Cameron Neal and Leslie Butterfield were planning to switch positions in the school’s administration. They each felt the time was right for a change. However, Butterfield saw an opportunity to be principal at Vernon Elementary in east Portland, and seize it. Following the sudden departure of Butterfield, Principal Peyton Chapman appointed Tammy O’Neill, former dean of students at Wilson High School to administrative vice principal. As a result, there are two new vice principals, one familiar, one not.

Neal had been the administrative vice principal since 2004, but wanted to switch to curriculum in hope of becoming more involved with the academic aspect of the school.

“I’m taking on a different role, which includes more work with counselors, scheduling, forecasting, and curriculum development,” Neal said, “whereas [the adminstrative vice principal] position is more operational, and basically runs the school through a more logistic perspective as opposed to an academic perspective.”

Replacing Neal at his former position is Tammy O’Neill from Wilson High School.

“I was really excited when [Chapman] gave me the opportunity to come here,” said O’Neill. “Everyone has given me such a warm welcome, especially the parents. I was not used to this level of parental involvement at Wilson. They really have made my job easier.”

Although O’Neil was excited about coming to Lincoln, she could not deny the truth of an outsider’s perspective of the school.

“I did have some stereotypes regarding affluent students and families, as well as negative information from publicity. But so far, my interactions have been amazingly positive.”

To compliment her administrative role at Wilson, O’Neill also taught senior English classes.

“I loved to send my kids off with Siddhartha. I loved teaching it because it deals with the different journeys, and paths you can take in your life.”

Accordingly, Tammy O’Neill’s journey has brought her to Lincoln.