Letter From the President

PRESIDENT letter from the

Back in 2011, I informed members of my former school community that I was stepping down after 14 years as president, and 33 total years at the school, to take the president’s position at the Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Fla. Following this news, I received many notes and cards congratulating me on my retirement. It seemed that once people saw Florida was my destination, they conveniently missed the part about taking a position at another school and assumed I was retiring. Needless to say, retirement was not my plan, and to tell you the truth, some of my best years were still ahead of me. My years at Academy have been among the most rewarding of my professional career. Now, however, it’s time for me to consider the next part of my life’s journey.

Not long ago, I informed the Academy Board of Trustees of my intention to retire. Next school year will be my last at Academy. It’s hard for me to believe I am closing in on the completion of my ninth year as Academy’s president. It seems like only yesterday my wife, Maureen, and I arrived here ready for a new phase in our lives — and a bit nervous since we knew no one in Tampa. During our time here, we have made many wonderful friends and have grown to love this community. From the very start, we have felt welcomed, which made our transition that much easier. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Working in an SNJM school has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life. Partnering with the Sisters and getting to know them has been a real joy.

With a strong partner in the Board of Trustees and the support of so many alumni, parents and friends, much has been accomplished during my time here. The renovation and expansion of our beautiful facility, improvements in our academic and extracurricular programs, expanded service opportunities and an ever-increasing enrollment have all contributed to the Academy’s ongoing improvement.

While the end of my tenure is in sight, the work I have left is not over by a long shot. This summer, the second floor of the Bayshore building, including the wings, will be renovated and brought up to the standard we have established on the third and fourth floors. With your continued support, I will raise the money necessary to renovate the lower school on the first floor. When that project is complete, every student from pre-K to 12th grade will learn in brand-new, 21st-century spaces. In addition, I will be working with the Board to create a new strategic plan that will go into effect at the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Working in an SNJM school has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life. Partnering with the Sisters and getting to know them has been a real joy. I consider myself extremely lucky to have spent the last of my working years with them and this special community.

I am making my intentions public now to give the Board adequate time to find the Academy’s next president; June 30, 2021, will be my last day. Between now and then, I assure you that I will continue to work with the administration, faculty and staff to make the Academy the best school it can possibly be.

Sincerely,

Arthur Raimo President

SEARCH TIMELINE Late February Focus groups with AHN stakeholders

March Candidate profile shared and job posted for application

Late Spring Catholic School Management begins initial screening interviews. Reference interviews are conducted for appropriate candidates. The President Search Committee interviews final candidates.

The Committee’s goal is to announce the next president, pending approval by the local Board of Trustees and Sisters of the Holy Names’ Corporate Member Board, by the end of the calendar year.* *Timeline is subject to change.

PRESIDENT SEARCH COMMITTEE Ernie Garateix President Search Committee chair, trustee, parent of Samantha A’18

Greta Dupuy A’97 Board of Trustees vice chair

Harold Astorquiza Board of Trustees treasurer, parent of Sara A’12 and Rachel A’14

Daphne McConnie Trustee, parent of Luke A’16 and Macy A’18

Sister Carmella DeCosty, SNJM SNJM Representative, trustee

Doug Bogle Dads Club president, parent of Robert (6th grade) and Anna (4th grade)

Lisa Griffin Hodgdon A’90 Mothers Association president, parent of Griffin (8th grade) and Emma (6th grade)

Darcy Dwyer High School college counselor

Allison Warren Almendares A’06 Second grade teacher