Dear St. Francis Community,

We are pleased to provide an update on the presidential search for St. Francis Catholic High School.

As shared earlier, the search officially launched at the end of February. Since that time, our executive search partner, Spelman Johnson, has implemented a national outreach strategy that has generated significant interest and resulted in a strong pool of candidates. Simultaneously, the Search Committee diligently developed a comprehensive candidate assessment rubric and planned for the first-round video interviews with a short list of candidates. 

In the next two weeks, the Search Committee will conduct first-round video interviews with a select group of candidates. The committee remains ever mindful of its responsibility to authentically and enthusiastically represent the St. Francis community by creating a positive interview experience for each candidate.  Our goal is to identify finalists and invite the finalists to campus in late April/early May. Finalists will have an opportunity to spend a full day with the school community and our Sacramento area partners.  Once the finalists are confirmed, we will share the full schedule and itinerary for their campus visits.

Finally, a Presidential Transition Committee has been formed to create a thoughtful and strategic transition plan for our incoming president. The committee is meeting regularly over the next two months to identify and develop resources and guidance to facilitate   the success of our incoming leader. We are grateful for the dedication of the following individuals serving on the Transition Committee:

• Brian Briggs, Faculty, Latin and Theology
• Barbara Ching ’01, Secretary, Alumnae Board
• Melissa Svetich DeNigris ’00, Member, Board of Trustees
• Diane Kindermann Henderson, Co-Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
• Caron Houston, Member, Board of Trustees
• Tara Leung, Director of Finance
• Cassy McGreevy, Director of Student Activities
• Elias Mendoza, Principal
• Jennifer O’Brien Cooley ‘89, Co-Chair, Board of Trustees

We also extend our sincere thanks to Michel Frendian and Ellen Heffernan of Spelman Johnson for their expert guidance and support throughout every stage of this process.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we discern the next visionary leader for St. Francis Catholic High School.

St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us.

With gratitude, 

Rena Zellars ‘95 Co-Chair, Board of Trustees
Jennifer O’Brien Cooley ‘89, Co-Chair, Board of Trustees
Presidential Search Committee