The St. Francis High School Board of Directors appointed Kevin Makley as president July 1 after James Bowler resigned in June.
Geraldine Beasley, chair of the Board of Directors, said the board chose Makley from its nation-wide search because he has the background that will bring continuity to the administrative transition.
“Kevin is well known to our community as an able and dedicated teacher, administrator and bearer of the St. Francis mission,” Beasley said.
Makley’s teaching experience has spanned his entire 20-year career. He has been at St. Francis for 12 years where he has served as teacher, director of guidance and counseling, director of academics and admissions, vice principal and last year’s vice president.
Makley said although he will miss spending time in the classroom, he feels fortunate to have been chosen as president and looks forward to focusing on the school’s mission.
Makley said parents can expect the continuation of value-based education.
“I think education of the whole person is essential” Makley said. “It’s not enough to just learn biology, English or math. Our students need to understand ethics, respect and leadership.”
Makley said he hopes to enhance the school’s curriculum with an “outcome-based program.”
The program will emphasize hands-on activities and allow teachers to better evaluate a student’s accomplishments by providing a year-long portfolio of class work.
Makley said he will also maintain the school’s endowment fund to ensure quality education to all students, not just well-to-do families.
He said one of the biggest challenges will be developing a long-term facility plan that will bring the school into the next century.
Bowler, Makley’s predecessor, had been employed at St. Francis for 17 years and had served as president for the past five years. He was the first lay principal and president at the Catholic school.
