Dear Members of the St. Francis High School Community,

We hope that the new academic year has brought excitement and joy to all members of the school community. It is wonderful to see our outstanding curricular and co-curricular activities in full swing again at the school.

We want to share an update with you relating to our search for the new president of St. Francis High School. As you know, the Board of Directors formed the Presidential Search Committee in the beginning of July. The 11 members of the committee immediately began their work by creating and posting the job description for the president position on 20 websites at the end of July. The job description provided a deadline of September 6 for the submission of cover letters and resumes.

We are pleased to report that the Presidential Search Committee has received many applications from promising candidates both locally and throughout the United States, from the West to the East Coasts. It has been gratifying to witness the applicants’ excitement for the position and for the opportunity to serve the school community. Many candidates expressed their enthusiasm with respect to the exciting activities taking place at the school and its vision for the future. Our current students, alumni, and their families already know what a special place St. Francis High School is and what an impact the school has had on their lives. We are thrilled that the presidential search process to date has made many more people aware of our special school.

The Presidential Search Committee has been meeting weekly to review applications and schedule follow-up phone interviews with promising candidates. Phone interviews will be completed in the next few weeks, and the committee will then make decisions on which candidates to invite for in-person or virtual interviews. The committee has simultaneously been vetting search firms if additional candidates or services are needed as the process continues. Once the Presidential Search Committee makes its recommendations on final candidates to the Board, the Board will continue the interview process and involve additional school stakeholders in these interviews.

We want to thank the members of the Presidential Search Committee for the countless hours they have put in to keep the search process moving thoroughly and efficiently. Similarly, we want to thank the St. Francis High School community for its help in sending recommendations for potential candidates to the committee. Your assistance in the search process so far shows your love and support for the school. Finally, we owe a debt of gratitude to Raeann Huhn who is serving as both Principal and Acting President during this time. We look forward to sharing another update with you as the search process continues.

With deep gratitude and in the spirit of St. Francis,