1/29/2010 - McGivney Begins Principal and Development Director Search

Catholics in southern Madison County have another reason to celebrate the gift of Catholic education during Catholic Schools Week this year.  The search for a principal and development director for Fr. McGivney Catholic High School is underway, marking another milestone for the new Catholic high school opening in 2011 in our diocese.  A search committee strategized ways of recruiting stellar candidates to find an experienced administrator who can lead the school from its beginning stages into a Catholic high school renown for strong faith formation and academics.  Jack Holmes, Principal of St. John Neumann in Maryville, sits on the search committee for the new high school.  He wants to see a person hired who is extremely confident and knowledgeable in both education and the Catholic faith.  When asked about the ideal candidate, Mr. Holmes replied, “In addition to someone who can make Fr. McGivney Catholic High School strong and successful, I also believe that the principal should be a strong and active Catholic person and one who leaves no doubt about being committed to the Culture of Life.”   Father McGivney Catholic High School will allow area families to build on the solid foundation in the faith that their children are receiving in our area Catholic grade schools.  Students will graduate FMCHS with well-formed minds and hearts and well prepared to be leaders in their churches and communities.   

The committee plans to accept resumes through the end of February and begin interviewing top candidates in early March.   For an educator, a new school offers a unique opportunity to create a legacy that lasts for generations.  Committee chairperson Maureen Wangard shared that there have been inquiries for this position since it was announced that Fr. McGivney Catholic High School would be opening in 2011.  “We’ve even had interested educators who live outside the region inquire about the position, so I am confident that someone with years of administrative experience who is also a visionary for the school will emerge from among those who apply.”    Jean Johnson, the Superintendent for Catholic Education for the Springfield diocese also serves on the search committee.  She believes “it is so exciting for our Diocese of Springfield in Illinois to look forward to the opening of Fr. McGivney Catholic High School.  There is such a dedicated group of individuals diligently working to bring the vision of this school to fruition.  The upcoming hiring of administration as well as the preliminary site building preparation tasks demonstrate to all that the project is moving forward so that the 2011-2012 opening of the school can become a reality."  When hired, the principal will spend the 2010-2011 school year getting the school ready to open by recruiting students; hiring faculty and staff; and putting in place faith formation, academic, athletic, and extra-curricular recommendations made by committee members who come from all areas of central and southern Madison County.   The search committee plans to announce the selection of a principal in April.  Those who want to be the first to be notified when the decision is made can go to the website (www.frmcgivneyhs.com) to register to receive this information and other updates about the progress of our new Catholic high school.