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RashfordSemmlerTelfordCHARLOTTE — 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