By Michael Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/5/04)

A search committee led by Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools, has been established to begin the task of finding a new principal for Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington. Al Burch, who has guided O’Connell for the past 27 years, announced his retirement Jan. 21.

The committee held an organizational meeting Jan. 31 at O’Connell, and an informational meeting for staff and faculty was held at the school Feb. 3. The committee plans to conduct two rounds of interviews with potential candidates. The first round is scheduled for March 15-18. The second round will take place March 29 through April 1.

Each candidate will be interviewed by four groups during the first round: the administration/faculty, parents, students and search committee. During the second round, each candidate will be interviewed again by the search committee. The Office of Catholic Schools will conduct site visits for the finalists. The position is available in July for the 2004-05 academic year.

One proposal being considered by the committee is whether or not the president-principal model adopted by other private schools is right for O’Connell. In that scenario, the principal is responsible for the school’s day-to-day operation, while the president focuses on strategic planning, development and the school’s mission.

Burch, in an earlier interview, expressed interest in possibly returning to O’Connell next year to help with development. "I would like to come back (next year) on my own time to do some things with the alumni and development," he said. "We’ve identified areas that need to be addressed. There’s still a lot to be done."

In addition to McNiff, other search committee members include Father Robert J. Rippy, diocesan chancellor, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Elizabeth Goltman, Diane Cerniglia, Kevin Gregory, Kevin Fay, Ed Greissing, John Karcha and Dr. Anne Schaffner.

Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume and application to: DJO Search Committee, c/o Office of Catholic Schools, 200 N. Glebe Rd., no. 503, Arlington, Va. 22203. Applications are available online at www.arlingtondiocese.org/schools or call 703/841-2519. The application deadline is March 1, 2004.