New Catholic schools’ leader a familiar face to Butler, Warren schools

AT A GLANCE

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati oversees 11 schools in Butler and Warren counties:

Two schools — Liberty Twp.’s Mother Teresa School and Mason’s Royalmont Academy — are only recognized by the Archdiocese.

The region’s Catholic school system has a new superintendent, but the impact on Archdiocese schools in Butler and Warren counties will likely be small, according to local school officials.

Cincinnati Archdiocese officials recently announced that Susan Gibbons has been appointed as the new superintendent of 19-county Catholic district of Southwest and West-Central Ohio.

Gibbons replaces former Superintendent Jim Rigg, who resigned in October to become Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Gibbons, formerly a regional director for elementary and secondary schools, had served as interim superintendent since Rigg’s resignation.

There are 11 Butler and Warren County Catholic Schools overseen by the Cincinnati Archdiocese with two schools — Liberty Twp.’s Mother Teresa School and Mason’s Royalmont Academy — only recognized by the Archdiocese.

Almost all of the Archdiocese’s 111 Catholic primary and high schools are largely autonomous, said Dan Andriacco, spokesman for the region Catholic office.

“Catholic grade schools that are owned by our parishes are also operated by them — not by the Catholic Schools Office under Susan’s leadership. It’s a much different structure than a school system,” Andriacco said. “We are not, for example, the hiring agent for the principals of the schools. They do, however, all have the same teacher and principal contracts and the same employee benefits.”

Gibbons is a familiar face to area Catholic Schools.

“Susan Gibbons has devoted her entire career to Catholic education in our Archdiocese,” Archbishop Dennis Schnurr said. “She will be a steady hand as superintendent, just as she was as Interim Superintendent, insuring that the strong forward movement of our schools will continue.”

Gibbons, who is a native of Dayton and a graduate of area archdiocesan schools and universities, said “it is my honor and privilege to serve the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. Together, we will continue our mission of excellence in Catholic education.”

Dirk Allen, spokesman for Hamilton’s Catholic Badin High School, said Gibbons is new in title only.

“All of us who have had the pleasure of working with Susan Gibbons over the years are very pleased that she has been named superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese,” said Allen.

“She has earned a tremendous amount of respect throughout the Catholic school community. She has the right touch in dealing with people.”

Most students and their families will not notice changes in their local schools.

Allen said that while “the Archdiocese owns us and oversees our efforts, it’s not much different than being part of a public school district.”

“In this case, our ‘central office’ is the Archdiocese in downtown Cincinnati. Yes, we can set some of our own internal rules, but our principal, Brian Pendergest, reports to the superintendent,” Allen said.