Conference to tackle new president/principal model for Catholic schools

Washington D.C., Jul 13, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Catholic high school principals and presidents will gather for a weeklong conference, July 18-22, to acquire more knowledge and skills to work effectively within the president/principal model, which is becoming increasingly popular in Catholic schools across the country.

The national conference, held at Catholic University, will offer 11 professional workshops as well as opportunities for principals and presidents to network. It is sponsored jointly by CUA, Saint Louis University and the University of San Francisco.

The theme of the conference is Growing and Developing: The Catholic Secondary School President/Principal Model.

The president/principal model is a management strategy that started in high schools sponsored by religious communities, but it is quickly being adopted by diocesan secondary schools.

The model assigns to the president responsibility for long-term planning, fiscal management, alumni affairs, board leadership, recruitment, institutional advancement, Catholic identity, public representation and fundraising and development efforts.

The principal is chiefly responsible for academic and student affairs, student services, admissions, school ministry, and the hiring and supervision of teaching faculty and support staff.

Of the 1,225 Catholic secondary schools nationwide, 47 percent use the president/principal model. Among those using the model, 31 percent are diocesan schools, a number that has increased by 18 percent since 1999, says Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, SND.

The executive director of the Department of Secondary Schools at the National Catholic Educational Association explains that the model "represents a response to the need for additional administration in Catholic high schools as the demands on principals have become more complex.”

For more information about the conference, e-mail: cua-public-affairs@cua.edu