Rashford
Semmler
TelfordCHARLOTTE — Principals of the Diocese of Charlotte’s three high schools are being promoted in a leadership restructuring to mirror other U.S. Catholic secondary schools.
Principals Kurt Telford of Charlotte Catholic High School and Dr. Carl Semmler of Christ the King High School will be promoted to president effective July 1, 2023. The promotion of Dr. Jared Rashford, head of school at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, is expected in 2024.
As presidents, they will focus on their school’s long-range planning, community relationships, financial management and fundraising. New principals for each school, yet to be hired, will be responsible for day-to-day operations and academic management.
“This approach takes the numerous responsibilities involved in managing a high school and spreads them over two leadership positions,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, Catholic Schools superintendent. “It allows school presidents to get out in the community to build relationships with donors, colleges and businesses, increasing their school’s visibility and prominence. In turn, the principals can focus on running the school.”
The new structure is popular among Catholic secondary schools nationally, with 60 to 75 percent operating this way, including high schools in surrounding dioceses, Monroe said.
The restructuring will not result in tuition increases, he noted. Initial funds are to come from school savings and, going forward, the president role is expected to pay for itself through additional revenue from fundraising efforts and increased enrollment, he said.
Citing rising enrollments and growth in general across the diocese, Monroe said strategic, long-term planning and an emphasis on marketing are needed so that the high schools may continue to flourish.
“This will create new opportunities for students, families and schools through internships, jobs and sponsorships,” Monroe said.
“Ultimately, by splitting the leadership responsibilities,” he said, “this model makes the principal’s job more manageable and enables effective operation of the schools and adherence to their missions while ensuring the future success of our students and schools.”
The president-principal team will have many responsibilities in common, such as ensuring the schools’ Catholic identity and culture. “Because there is so much crossover, a healthy and collegial relationship, even a friendship among the two leaders and each school’s chaplain, is key,” he added.
— Annie Ferguson
Pro-life buzz at Holy Trinity Middle School
Principal Kevin Parks promised to get a “buzz cut” if the Holy Trinity Middle School community raised $10,000 for MiraVia. After Holy Trinity students exceeded the donation goal on Jan. 13, Parks got the haircut and donned his very own “buzz cut” club beanie. Photos Provided by Kevin ParksCHARLOTTE — Earlier this school year, Principal Kevin Parks of Holy Trinity Middle School noticed many students sporting what he dubbed “pandemic hair” at school.
Parks had told the school community he was going back to pre-pandemic dress code norms for the 2022-’23 academic year.
“After two years, it’s time,” he said.
To reinforce these measures, many students received letters from Parks describing what would be required to adhere to the school’s requirements.
“I was not very popular,” Parks admitted. “Students adopted the expression, ‘I’ve been dress-coded.’ Honestly, I thought it was funny.”
Keeping his good humor, Parks said he was sincerely touched in the late fall when a group of boys decided they would get “buzz cuts.”
“The word on the street was the boys were ‘going to show Mr. Parks.’ I, however, was not certain how they were ‘going to show Mr. Parks,’” he said.
In reaction to this emerging trend, Parks ordered beanie caps with “HT Buzz Cut Club Member, Est. 2022” for any student who got a “buzz cut.” He was happy to have to reorder the special hats to meet the influx of “buzz cuts.” He has given out more than 60 hats to date – with more available.
One day, a member of the Student Council asked Parks if he would ever get a “buzz cut.” He answered, “I will if the school can raise $10,000 for MiraVia.”
One of Parks’ favorite charities, MiraVia is a pro-life organization that supports pregnant and parenting women in need and their children. He didn’t think much of his comment at the time.
“However, the Student Council started ‘buzzing,’ so to speak,” Parks said. “The following day, Student Council representatives asked if I was serious about my comment. As much as I didn’t want to get a ‘buzz cut,’ I knew I’d have to stand by my word.”
Parks gave the school 48 hours to raise the money, ending at midnight on Friday, Jan. 13. Perhaps hoping for a closer shave money wise, Parks said late Thursday morning the school had already raised more than $7,000. Well before the stroke of midnight Jan. 13, they had exceeded the goal, with the final total of $15,500.
After accompanying his Pro-life Club students at the Charlotte March for Life on Jan. 13, Parks went directly to his barber to get the cut.
“My barber thought it was funny because for a few months she had many of our students coming to get buzz cuts to receive a hat from the school,” Parks said.
“She was very touched by the bet, donations and MiraVia’s work, and refused to charge me for the haircut.”
Now with considerably less hair, Parks reflected on the experience of making this fun and charitable bet.
“I have always thought the pro-life work for mothers and babies that MiraVia does is exceptional,” he said. “They offer real-time help to real mothers and babies in need. The entire organization represents the best pro-life example that I know.”
He added, “After two years of ‘pandemic hair,’ it was time to move toward normalcy. From the students’ standpoint, many stepped up to meet the school’s set standards. This is why I purchased the special winter hats when students started getting buzz cuts earlier in the year. I couldn’t be prouder of our students every day.”
— Annie Ferguson
