A location to combine the two middle schools into a single campus could be named this summer
Grace King
Apr. 26, 2024 1:22 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS — LaSalle and Regis middle schools will share school leadership for the 2024-25 school year, a step toward future consolidation of the schools into a single campus under the new Xavier Catholic Schools corporation.
A recommendation on where the new campus could be located to combine the LaSalle and Regis students is expected to be made this summer, according to a news release Friday from Xavier Catholic Schools. The two middle schools will share a principal and associate principal with multiple staff members serving in administrative support roles.
A committee was formed earlier this year to study options and provide recommendations to the Xavier Catholic Schools board of education for where the new school could be located.
The consolidation of the middle schools is part of a plan to unite eight metro area Catholic schools into a preschool-12th grade system called Xavier Catholic Schools as of July 1.
Zachary Zeckser was named principal of both LaSalle and Regis middle schools. He is currently the chief administrator for LaSalle Catholic elementary and middle school, which combined serves preschool to 8th grade.
Earlier this spring, current Regis Middle School Principal Josh Gredys announced his resignation from his position effective July 1, to pursue other opportunities.
Amanda Allard, current business teacher at Xavier High School, will serve as the facilitator for both the middle schools and will transition to the role of associate principal once she receives her administrative license.
Zeckser and Allard will split their time between both LaSalle and Regis school buildings, officially assuming their roles July 1.
“We are excited to have Zach and Amanda serve in their new roles starting with the next school year,” said Chris McCarville, incoming President of Xavier Catholic Schools. “Not only are these two individuals stellar models of Christ for all they encounter, but they both exemplify what it means to be a servant-leader — possessing the ability to channel their unique gifts to maximize the positive impact they make for students and families.”
Staff at LaSalle and Regis middle schools have been identified to provide day-to-day administrative support in each building.
Other administrative staff at LaSalle Catholic will be:
- Monica Robinson, who will continue in her current role as lead teacher
- Katherine Sterling, who will continue in her current role as school counselor
- And Heather Williams, who will continue in her current role as principal of LaSalle Catholic Elementary School for grades preschool-4th.
At Regis, administrative staff will be:
- Angie Cummings, who will continue serving in her current role as lead teacher and campus minister
- John Gianforte, who will continue serving in his current role as intervention specialist and building facilitator
- And Kayla Ruff, who will continue in her current role as school counselor.
Metro Catholic schools have been operating under the Xavier Catholic Schools brand since 2013, but each school has maintained its own structure of governance over the last decade, with each school having its own school board.
Consolidating the schools was a recommendation made by two separate task force groups that included pastors, parish representatives and school administrators, and the decision made by parish leadership. The announcement to consolidate was made in December 2023.
A formal Xavier Catholic School system will result in greater efficiency in establishing a common and clear mission, vision and long-range plan, according to a news release Tuesday. This includes the schools’ commitment to Catholicity, consistency in academic programming across all schools, increased pay and benefits for staff, K-12 fundraising initiatives to address facilities, programs and salaries, expanded child care, teacher training, consistent integration of Education Savings Accounts, tuition and need-based tuition assistance, a consistent parish subsidy formula and an improved use of resources.
Xavier Catholic Schools are part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and currently consist of eight buildings with a total enrollment for the 2023-24 school year of 2,104 students:
- Xavier High School for grades 9-12, 6300 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids
- Regis Middle School for grades 6-8, 735 Prairie Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids
- LaSalle Catholic Middle School for grades 5-8, 3700 First Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids
- LaSalle Catholic Elementary for grades PK-4, 3700 First Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids
- St. Joseph Catholic School for grades PK-8, 1430 14th St., Marion
- All Saints Elementary for grades PK-5, 720 29th St. SE, Cedar Rapids
- St. Matthew’s Elementary for grades PK-5, 2244 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids,
- And St. Pius X Elementary for grades PK-5, 4901 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
