ELEMENTS CRITICAL FOR COMMUNITY SUCCESS: Supportive Families and Staff participating positively to these changes are key to success. Moving forward TOGETHER and staying supportive of Assumption staff, teachers and families throughout this transition is important. Supporting the decisions of Father Justin and other leaders at both the church and school is critical for the future of Assumption Academy.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK: There are also families that are happy that the partnership is ending and trust Assumption Parish leadership moving forward. There is a large portion of parents who think the dissolution is a good step forward.

CONFIDENCE IN ASSUMPTION PARISH LEADERSHIP: We are confident that after 6 years of the partnership, we have rightsized our classroom approach, made certain staffing decisions and set financial strategies to continue supporting Assumption Academy as a parish school once again. We also will have the opportunity to build our own governance and succession plan.

CURRICULUM: Curriculum updates are always a consideration for existing or new principals. Information Technology is crucial to the success of our students and programs will be evaluated and provided that best meet our students’ and teachers’ needs.

Mr. K’S INVOLVEMENT: It is not standard for the outgoing principal to participate in the selection of the incoming principal. Mr. K will have an opportunity to meet the new principal and share his insight into how he currently supports students, teachers, staff and families. He will also be key as we transition into the areas of technology, student experience and staff professional development.

FINANCIAL: Families can be assured that 100% of funds raised for school needs are used at Assumption Academy. This includes donations and WeGiveCatholic that are earmarked for specific purposes.

PRINICIPAL SELECTION: We are confident that we will find a qualified candidate with previous Catholic principal experience. There will be a panel comprised of 7-9 parishioners with educational, managerial, administrative and spiritual backgrounds to select the next principal. The principal role was posted on the Diocesan website, and we have already received resumes from candidates. Assumption Academy is an attractive place to work because it has strong family support, solid financial backing, and a history of academic excellence. This is not a time of uncertainty. We are currently compiling the traits required for the next principal from teacher and parent feedback. This will be a key to the parent surveys that we send out in the coming weeks.

SUPPORT FOR FUTURE PRINCIPAL: The new principal of Assumption Academy will continue to have full support of Assumption Parish staff and leadership. Needs will be evaluated to determine what additional staff will make this person successful. Additionally, they will have ongoing support from other Diocesan principals (which meet regularly), the Diocese Office of Catholic Education and their previous experience and networking that they bring to Assumption.

TEACHER RETENTION: We are meeting with teachers to host roundtables to gather their feedback on qualities they value in the principal, their suggestions for improvements, and their commitment to the future of Assumption Academy. Our teachers are the heart of the school, and their ideas, opinions and participation are key to a strong future at Assumption Academy. We are listening to their recommendations and concerns and will act upon these recommendations to make sure they have a positive work environment where they feel heard and appreciated. We are committed to making sure that teachers’ salaries are fair and support them with the important work that they do every day for our children. Teacher salaries at a private school are not public knowledge.

 ENROLLMENT: Our plan is that families will continue to return next year for their children to be supported by the wonderful experiences at Assumption Academy. Our plan is that this transition does not deter families and we are confident it will not diminish the quality of education and community at Assumption Academy.

RECENT JULIE BILLIART VISIT: Recently, Mr. K graciously hosted the teachers from Julie Billiart to support a professional development day so they could observe general education classroom. They are trained in special education, so this provided them with a different perspective on students and teaching.

CYO: As a standard in the Diocese of Cleveland, CYO is a parish ministry, not school.

SAFETY: Safety and facility updates continue to be a focus for Assumption church and school.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT FROM THE DIOCESE: There is no centralized way for diocesan schools to share technology resources, but this is a good suggestion.

JODIE VARNER’S QUALIFICATIONS: Jodie attended Parochial Grade School, Catholic High School and graduated from John Carrol University. Her professional experience includes 20+ years in non-profit communications & donor relations and marketing, communications, project management, client relations & client retention in a corporate environment. Her last role at an executive level was to collaborate with companies to identify their needs and put in place solutions to support those needs. She has been an Assumption Parishioner since 2005 with 3 children that attended Assumption Academy. She is a longtime Parent CORP member, spearheaded the inaugural WEGIVECATHLOIC campaign in 2018, volunteered as the school and church communications coordinator that eventually became a part-time job. Today, she continues to coach CYO volleyball and is a Eucharistic Minister. She was also part of the team collaborating with Father Justin, Father Estok and Mr. Vittardi as we began the partnership with St. Albert the Great.