From an original list of 44 applicants, City Schools Decatur chose William Heaton as the new principal of Clairemont Elementary. Heaton is currently the principal at Malcom Bridge Middle School in Oconee County.

Of CSD’s nine principals, seven have spent considerable time working inside the system. Only Renfroe Middle’s first-year Principal Jonathan Clark, who came from DeKalb County, and now Heaton, are relative newcomers.

Heaton’s been a school administrator since 2004. Prior to his current post he served as an elementary principal, assistant elementary principal, fifth-grade and third-grade teacher.

He replaces Erin Wheeler Gutfreund who recently resigned after six years as Clairemont principal and 16 years with CSD.

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People join a rally in support for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees on Tuesday afternoon, April 1, 2025, at the Atlanta headquarters after federal cuts triggered significant layoffs. (Photo: Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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