By Kathi Stearns, Staff Writer

ATLANTA--A national search is being conducted by the archdiocese for one principal to lead both St. Anthony’s and Our of Lourdes Catholic schools as they combine their administration and faculty in specialized areas.

“It is our intention to consolidate these two schools next year in specialized areas while we examine different models for consolidation,” said Msgr. Terry Young, Secretary for Education.

Both schools will continue in their current locations but will consolidate faculty in the areas of foreign languages, music, art and computer science. The reasoning behind this move is that the budgets of both schools are currently strained in an attempt to offer these courses for a relatively small group of students.

At present Our Lady of Lourdes, located at 29 Boulevard near the King Center, serves approximately 160 students in kindergarten through sixth grade while St. Anthony’s at 951 Ralph David Abernathy in the West End, serves 114 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. According to Msgr. Young, neither school is near its enrollment capacity.

“The only way to (offer these courses) economically is to have the schools share their resources; at the same time, the best placement of those resources is realized by having one (principal) make that decision,” Msgr. Young said.

“We are not planning to close down the Catholic educational presence in either of these two sites,” Msgr. Young said. “We are working toward some kind of unity between the two schools.”

This year Maureen Kane, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, also serves as the principal at St. Anthony’s. Father Frank Giusta, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, is acting as principal there.

Without the projected consolidation the Office of Catholic Schools feels that the two schools could loses the accreditation granted them by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “They are about to come up against some more serious problems unless we make significant changes, particularly in the area of administration,” Msgr. Young said.

Our Lady of Lourdes must have a qualified administrator in place by September; St. Anthony’s only got an extra lease on life this year because Maureen was prepared to step in to keep them afloat. However, the archdiocese cannot afford to have their superintendent locked into (the administration of) one school.”

According to Msgr. Young, neither school has in recent years had a qualified administrator for a consistent enough time period to provide for its nurture and development. “Both schools have been unable to attract and keep a qualified administrator,” Msgr. Young said.

St. Anthony’s has had four principals since 1992. “The school has gone through some turbulent times recently,” said Father Hugh Marren, pastor of St. Anthony’s. “But what we are trying to do is to adapt and prepare for the future.”

At the completion of the 1994 academic year, Father Ron Rhodes resigned as principal of St. Anthony’s and a search began for a new principal in early May. An interim principal was named until a thorough search could be completed. However, in early June the interim principal resigned because of a family emergency.

According to Ms. Kane, the search committee was unable to find a qualified candidate who had not already signed a contract for the upcoming year. “With teachers due to arrive in one month, with no one hired to replace those who were not returning, with no materials ordered and less than 30 students enrolled I felt I needed to step in and do this,” Ms. Kane said.

Ms. Kane said that being both superintendent and principal has been challenging. “Any school requires a principal’s undivided attention,” Ms. Kane said. “St. Anthony’s has been my number one commitment from the perspective of time and visibility. It has lessened my visibility at the other schools and my one-on-one contact with principals and faculty has been impacted.”

During the last six years, four different principals served at Our Lady of Lourdes. The person who began the 1994-95 academic year took a medical leave of absence on the first day of school. She returned for a brief time before she resigned her position. “We are trying to do what is best for both schools and their students,” said Father Giusta. “That is our number one concern.”

“Consolidation is a frightening word for a lot of people,” Ms. Kane said. “I’m looking forward to a consolidated administration that will strengthen the current educational programs and plan effectively for the future. In my opinion this one (model) is practical, efficient and also the least invasive to the identity of both schools.”

Applicants for the position of principal must possess a master’s degree in educational administration and have prior administrative experience in Catholic education in the African-American community.

“I think it is key to have someone who has worked with this community or another diverse community with a strong African-American presence hired to administer these schools,” Msgr. Young said. “The answer to a successful consolidation is finding the right person for the job.”

Applicants are being accepted through May 30.

Parents of the students have expressed some reservations about the consolidation. “It is important to me that each school keep its own identity,” said Curlee Williams, president of St. Anthony’s Home and school Association.

“I fear that the consolidation may result in a merger of the two schools,” she said. “The archdiocese needs to promise us that won’t happen and stand by their word. They need to guarantee us that even if the consolidation doesn’t work, and they are still looking for another solution to the problem, they won’t merge the two schools.”

However, if the consolidation works Mrs. Williams believes that both schools could benefit. “Some positive things could come out of this,” she said. “We’re trying to have some faith in the decision that has been made.”

But still she wishes she could ensure the economic stability of each school independently. “If I had a magic wand, I’d give each school a million dollars and say build up your school and make it the best it can be.”