LAWRENCE — David M. DeFillippo grew up on Myrtle Street only two blocks from Central Catholic High School where graduated in 1966.
Today he is principal of the school and from his office window, if he turns his head just right, he can glimpse the tree in his mother Nellie's yard. She is 88.
"Central Catholic has a very special meaning for me. I call it my second home because my childhood home is only two blocks away and even when I move to another part of the building, it's still going to be two blocks away," he said yesterday.
In a letter to parents and students Jan. 9, DeFillippo announced he intends to step down as principal after 11 years in June, but will remain at the school in another professional capacity.
DeFillippo has been at the school for 39 years and has also been an English, mathematics and history teacher, guidance counselor and head of the guidance department.
He said he made the decision to leave the post a year ago.
"For an institution to thrive and be more excellent, it needs to be reenergize," DeFillippo said. "New leadership brings energy and I love the school so much, I want it to have that."
In his letter, DeFillippo cited a line from the book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3: "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under heaven."
"Usually one's heart tells us when it is time to make a change in our life. My heart has spoken to me," he wrote.
DeFillippo said there has been many highlights at Central. Among them are advancement to the curriculums, increasing the enrollment by 30 percent, overseeing construction of the first academy building in 30 years, providing professional development for teachers and staff, starting four varsity sports, hiring a full-time nurse and starting a music band.
Central Catholic president Brother Thomas Long said he respects DeFillippo's decision.
"I'm very grateful to him for what he has done for the school," said Long, who had DeFillippo as an English teacher at Central.
"There is no one who exceeds Dave in terms of how much he has given to Central Catholic. He has dedicate all his energy, time and efforts," Long said.
The school started searching for a new principal last October. Long said 30 people who work in public, private and Catholic schools have applied. Applicants come from 11 states as well as China and the United Arab Emirates.
DeFillippo and his wife Kathleen for 39 years. She is director of nursing and health services for Lawrence public schools.
He said not being principal will free him to spend more time with the family, catch up on his reading and travel with his wife.
The DeFillippos have three children, KerryAnn Calobrisi, a teacher at Wetherbee School, Daniel an accountant for CDM Corp. and Matthew, a cameraman for Fox25 News. They have three grandchildren.
