Florida Catholic | New education director begins ‘listening tour’

New education director begins ‘listening tour’

Dr. Schwartz’ first week on the job is filled with meetings, learning and discerning.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 05.23.08

New Diocese of Venice director of education Dr. Kathleen Schwartz, sixth from left, listens as one of the diocesan principals talks about school during an informal meeting May 8. The meeting at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte was a chance for school leaders to meet Schwartz in an informal setting.
BOB REDDY | FC

PORT CHARLOTTE | A gathering of school principals recently provided the new Diocese of Venice director of education an opportunity to hear firsthand what the status of the schools is.

The meeting was one of several Dr. Kathleen Schwartz attended during her first week as part of the diocesan Education Department and many more meetings will follow as she immerses herself in her new job.

She was warmly welcomed on her first day on May 5 by Sister Roberta Schmidt, Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis, Mo., and the outgoing director who has been with the diocese for 15 years.

“It has been fun,” Schwartz said. “Sister Roberta has been a wealth of information that I have the privilege to tap into. This first week has really been enlightening and energizing.”

Four days on the job she met with the principals and other representatives of the 15 diocesan schools at St. Charles Borromeo School. The informal meeting was to help put a face to the names she has been hearing and to learn a little about them.

Each of the 15 schools of the diocese were represented. Principals and vice-principals were asked to give a brief description of their school and talk about anything they wanted.

Not surprisingly, each touted how his or her school was the best, but all noted there are continuing challenges in the world of education from enrollment to recruitment of teachers and upgrading of facilities

The challenges are a nationwide phenomena and something with which Schwartz is familiar, having come from the Archdiocese of Washington in Washington, D.C., as assistant superintendent of schools in charge of 75 elementary schools.

The Diocese of Venice has 14 elementary, secondary and special-needs schools in five counties with more than 4,700 students enrolled, and a faith formation school for adults. A new elementary school in Highlands County is planned for the 2008-09 academic year

Schwartz also learned several of the schools will be celebrating milestones in the coming years.

St. Francis Xavier School in Fort Myers will mark its 70th anniversary in October. Three other schools will be celebrating their 50th anniversaries in the next few years, including Cardinal Mooney High School and Incarnation School in Sarasota, as well as St. Charles Borromeo School in Port Charlotte.

Sister Schmidt said each one of the schools is special in its own way and “we really have a strong faith community in each of our campuses.”

Two schools will get new principals. Dreams Are Free Academy in Sarasota will welcome Judy Dickinson who will be taking over for Stewart Downes, and at St. Martha School in Sarasota, Assistant Principal Elizabeth Bowman takes over for Richard Nicoli. Schwartz was able to meet the current and outgoing principals.

She said that the meeting with the principals and her planned visits to each of the schools before the school-year ends is part of an informal “listening tour.”

“I see strong leadership and a collaborative spirit,” she said. “I’ve learned there is a sense of community and a sense of celebration.”

Offering no immediate edicts or orders she said she wanted to get to know everyone a little better before she makes any major changes.

She plans to build on the good things already in the works.

“Whatever we do will be in response to the challenges we face, we face together,” she said. “I plan to tap into the experience and expertise you have. I have a passion for Catholic education as I know you do. Together with the Holy Spirit we will have the leadership to work toward a special goal.”

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New education director begins ‘listening tour’

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