After eight years of serving the Arlington Diocese,
Superintendent of Schools Sister Bernadette McManigal,
B.V.M., has announced her retirement, and the search for her
replacement has begun.
Dan Curtin, diocesan consultant for Catholic education, has
been asked by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde to spearhead
the effort. But before he combs through resumes, he and the
other members of the team are asking Catholic educators
around the diocese what they want most in their new
superintendent.
"I will be continuing listening sessions with various
constituent groups in the chancery and the diocese to
understand what qualities and what kind experience, personal
and professional, they would they like to see," said Curtin.
He has already spoken with the professional staff of the
schools office; in February he plans to speak to groups of
principals and to reach out to pastors of schools. "We're
going to come up with a pretty good picture the kind of
person we need," he said.
In the years since the last search for a superintendent,
diocesan schools have added 1,000 new students. Eighteen
schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by
the U.S. Department of Education. Tuition assistance has been
expanded. This year 1,500 students received financial
assistance. Opportunities for professional development of
teachers and administrators have grown, as has the use of
technology in classrooms. A large part of the new
superintendent's role will simply be to continue the
excellent programs already in place, said Curtin.
Currently, the open position is being advertised in local
newspapers and through the National Catholic Educational
Association. When they find suitable applicants, the search
committee will begin several rounds of interviews. The bishop
will choose the new superintendent. "We're very blessed (that
Bishop Loverde) has been extremely supportive of Catholic
schools," said Curtin. "He wants to see our Catholic schools
grow and to build on the success they've had in the last
couple of years."
The superintendent will work closely with Catholic schools in
the diocese, develop curriculum, give guidance on personnel
issues and strategically plan for the future, said Curtin. He
or she will expand marketing of diocesan schools and help
make them more accessible to the large Latino population.
"The most important task," said Curtin, "is to ensure the
Catholic identity of the schools," by guiding religious
instruction and encouraging employees who are committed to
the mission of the church.
"Our teachers are witnesses to the Catholic faith," he said.
"They might be teaching math and science, but they model the
faith through prayer and how they deal with students."
Di Mauro can be reached at zdimauro@catholicherald.com or on
Twitter @zoeydimauro.