Kathleen “Katy” Prebble, president of Bishop Denis J.
O’Connell High School in Arlington, announced Feb. 11 that
she will not return to the school next year.
“In the past two and a half years, while serving as
president, Katy has served the school, the diocese and
Catholic education well,” said Sister Bernadette McManigal,
diocesan superintendent of schools.
“A long list of accomplishments is directly attributable to
Katy’s leadership,” she said.
The most visible examples include remodeled science labs, the
addition of a global studies program, attractive and safe
athletic fields, dual enrollment courses with Marymount, new
seats in the school auditorium and the addition of
pre-engineering courses in the curriculum.
“Katy was tireless in her zeal for the students and faculty
at Bishop O’Connell High School,” Sister Bernadette said.
“Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde joins me in thanking Katy
for her service and in wishing her well in her next
endeavors.”
Prebble took over for former O’Connell President Barry Breen
July 6, 2010. Prior to coming to O’Connell, Prebble served as
president of Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Ga., a college
preparatory school operated under the guidance of the Sisters
of Mercy.
Prebble was new to O’Connell and Northern Virginia, but not
to the Washington area. A 1974 graduate of Catholic
University in Washington, Prebble spent three decades working
in Catholic education in Maryland schools. After eight years
at Mount de Sales, Prebble moved back to the D.C. area to be
closer to family.
At O’Connell, Prebble was the highest-ranking administrator
at the school and responsible for maintaining the school’s
Catholic identity, developing and executing a long-term
strategic plan, directing marketing and public relations
efforts, and monitoring facilities as well as financial
development programs.
“The 1,200 students who grace the halls of our school every
day are a remarkable and diverse group of young men and women
eager to establish themselves as the leaders of tomorrow,”
Prebble said in a statement released by the school. “I will
miss them dearly as well as the dedicated faculty and staff
who work incredibly hard to guide them through these
wonderful and exciting high school years.”
Prebble said she is enthusiastic about the school’s strategic
plan and its initial efforts to create a facility master site
plan.
“The next few months will be busy as we work diligently to
strengthen our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program and plan
the addition of our second engineering course,” she said.
“Our STEM curriculum continues to grow, and O’Connell is set
to become one of only two private high schools in the greater
Washington DC area to offer a Project Lead the Way school
curriculum in engineering.”
Prebble said she has been inspired by O’Connell’s spirit and
traditions and that she is a better person for being guided
by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
“Many of you may know that years ago Mother Teresa visited
O’Connell and spoke to our students,” she said. “Her message
of love and compassion continues to fill the heart of our
community. I will faithfully serve our community over the
next few months and wish only the best for O’Connell. It is
always a great day to be a Knight.”
In addition to her accomplishments, Prebble faced numerous
challenges during her brief tenure at the Arlington school.
The sudden disappearance of former teacher Tom Duesterhaus in
June 2011 left the school community in shock. Varsity
football coach Steve Trimble died suddenly in July 2011.
Former O’Connell principal Al Burch died in October 2011. And
varsity baseball coach Rick Hart announced his retirement in
October 2012.
No decision has been made as to when the diocese will begin
its search for Prebble’s replacement.
