Diocesan schools program, board honored
SALT LAKE CITY — Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and Holy Cross Sister Genevra Rolf, associate superintendent, are crediting the more than a dozen Catholic school teachers, principals, and administrators who have graduated from the University of San Francisco’s Institute for Catholic Education Leadership (ICEL) for the honor Sr. Catherine will receive June 21 at an ICEL faculty dinner in San Francisco. "This good news, the recognition, came out of the blue," said Sr. Catherine, who graduated from the program 25 years ago. "We have had so many teachers and principals who have trained there, and this year, Norman Allred, a teacher at St. Francis Xavier Regional School will begin the program. The leadership program, conducted for from three to six weeks in the summers over from three to five years, is invaluable to the Diocese of Salt Lake City, said Sr. Catherine. "We’re a small diocese without a Catholic university to provide leadership training for our teachers and principals. The University of San Francisco is the closest Catholic university that offers the program." Sr. Genevra, a 1986 graduate of the program, said secular schools like the University of Utah offer teacher’s degrees and leadership training, preparing graduates to teach in the public schools, but they don’t offer the spiritual leadership needed for the Catholic schools. "The ICEL program teaches us how to foster private school leadership, development and advancement, and networking in the Catholic School setting." Sr. Catherine is quick to point out that the award she will receive is not a personal recognition. "It’s for our program and it’s in recognition of the number of teachers and principals we have sent through the ICEL program. The people we have sent there have come back with Master’s Degrees in private school leadership, and they can network with other Catholic school leaders on issues that aren’t taught in secular schools, like finance and law that are specific to Catholic education." Sr. Genevra, a former superintendent for the diocese, said Catholic school principals function much like superintendents do in public schools. "Our principals do a whole lot more in the areas of development and finances." Srs. Catherine and Genevra are also celebrating an honor bestowed by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) on the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s school board. On April 17 at at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md., their 2007 advisory and board and three ex-officio members received an Outstanding Boards of Catholic education Award. The 17-member board and three ex-officio members were recognized for continuing the schools’ 30-year efforts "on behalf of 5,600 students (per year) in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade." "Specifically, the board was recognized for their committee work," Sr. Catherine said. "The award with be presented to the board in Salt Lake City June 10." The school board has three main committees. Its marketing committee has been responsible for a series of television ads for Catholic schools, brochures, and billboards. "Each school gives the equivalent of one tuition, which is directed toward marketing expenses and web site expenses, including maps and interactive video," said Sr. Catherine. The board’s finance and mission effectiveness committees interact closely with the marketing committee, concentrating on teachers’ salaries, accreditation, quarterly financial reports, policy-making, and strategic planning.
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