By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/13/04)

The transition has begun at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington.

Barry E. Breen (pictured at right) will be the school’s new president and Richard J. Martin will be the interim principal, according to an announcement this week by Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools. Breen expects to begin his duties in mid-July.

Longtime O’Connell Principal Al Burch announced in January that he will retire at the end of the current school year. He has spent 42 years at the Arlington school, the last 27 as principal.

Breen met with Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde on May 10 and was introduced to O’Connell’s faculty on May 11. Martin has worked with Burch as O’Connell’s assistant principal since 1989.

"O'Connell boasts a long and proud history of Catholic education, and has been served so well by past principals, faculty and staff, including Msgr. James McMurtrie and the present principal, Al Burch," Bishop Loverde said.

The president/principal model is new for O’Connell. As the highest ranking administrator at the school, Breen will maintain the school’s Catholic identity, develop and execute a strategic long-range plan, direct marketing efforts, recruitment strategies and fund-raising programs.

He will seek the advice and counsel of community leaders and the Board of Governors, oversee school funds and consult with the superintendent of schools concerning the appointment of the principal. The president and principal will reach a consensus concerning the appointment of all other members of the school staff.

The principal reports directly to the president and will have the authority and responsibility for the daily operations of the school. Specific duties involve academic affairs, student services, admissions, personnel and supervision.

Breen has served as headmaster at TASIS, The American School in England, since 2001. During this period he reorganized the school’s administrative structure, instituted a nursery school program and overhauled the school’s mandatory travel program.

Prior to his time in England, Breen was principal for nine years at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J., and he spent eight years as principal at St. Elizabeth High School in Oakland, Calif.

He has a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Notre Dame and a master of arts in Dramatic Arts from the University of California at Berkeley.

"Breen’s leadership capabilities imminently qualify him to be uniquely suited to continue Al Burch’s legacy of caring and educating our young people in the diocese," said McNiff.

"Given the structural administrative change to a president-principal model at Bishop O’Connell next year," McNiff said, "the school is fortunate to have its longtime and well-respected assistant principal, Dick Martin, agree to serve as the interim principal for the 2004-05 school year. Dick’s presence will be instrumental for a smooth transition during this time."

Martin first joined O’Connell’s staff as an English teacher and wrestling coach in 1967. He was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. He has a master’s degree in education from George Mason University and bachelor of arts degree in communication arts from the University of Notre Dame.

In addition to his years at O’Connell, Martin was principal at Msgr. John R. Hackett Catholic Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich., from 1984-87 and principal of Holy Cross Regional School in Lynchburg from 1987-89.

"With the inauguration of a new president/principal structure, O'Connell enters a new phase in its history," Bishop Loverde said. "I am very enthused about this development, and confident that the experience and energy of President-elect Barry Breen will continue O'Connell's strong Catholic identity and service to our young people."

Breen told O’Connell’s faculty May 11 that faith, community and learning are important to him as he prepares to begin a new chapter in his life. He described himself as not only O’Connell’s president but "chief learner." He recognized that the role of high school principal has grown more complex in recent years with an increased need for marketing and development skills.

The principal/president model takes advantage of the talents and leadership of two people rather than just one, he said.

"I am humbled by the work that Al (Burch) has done," Breen said. "I am happy to follow in that legacy. I’d be a fool to mess it up."

Breen has asked Burch to stay on at O’Connell to help in some capacity with alumni relations and financial development.

Martin said he was "honored and humbled" by his appointment. "It is the end of an era," he said, "but also a new beginning."