Celebrating Dr Fitzgerald's Legacy

St. Joseph High School is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. David J. Klein as the new President beginning July, 2020. On Wednesday, September 4, the St. Joseph High School community received a letter from Board of Directors Chairperson, Mr. Christopher Wilson, announcing Mr. Klein’s appointment. Mr. Klein will succeed St. Joseph High School’s current President, Dr. William Fitzgerald, whose pending retirement has been previously announced.

Mr. Klein currently serves as the Head of School at Norwich Free Academy (NFA), an independently governed, coed, regional day academy, which serves an enrollment of 2,324 students from eight public school districts and a host of private and international students. His extraordinary experience in community engagement, student services, college preparatory education, institutional advancement, financial management, and administration will serve St. Joseph High School well.

Prior to his appointment as NFA’s Head of School in 2011, Mr. Klein served as Superintendent of the Madison Public Schools and as Superintendent of the Regional School District in Old Lyme. He also has experience in high school, middle school, and elementary school administration. Mr. Klein began his career as a mathematics teacher at Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. “We have found a President who will honor St. Joseph High School’s traditions and high standards for academics, service, and personal responsibility,” writes Mr. Christopher Wilson. A graduate of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Mr. Klein is also a proud alum of the University of Scranton, a nationally recognized Catholic and Jesuit University. At Scranton University, he earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education (Mathematics) and a Master’s in Education Administration. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Executive Leadership.

“I am deeply grateful for this extraordinary opportunity,” remarks Mr. Klein, “and for the trust and confidence of St. Joseph High School’s Board of Directors. The school’s commitment to creating a community where young men and women can grow in faith and build for themselves responsible lives of service and leadership is highly regarded in Connecticut. I realize it is the work of many generations, and I look forward to helping steward and deepen this unwavering commitment.” Mr. Klein’s appointment is the result of an extensive search led by a committee comprised of St Joseph High School Board members, administration, faculty, and the broader community. The search was facilitated by Carney, Sandoe & Associates.

THANK YOU, ST JOES, FOR ALLOWING ME TO LEAD US INTO THE FUTURE

Dear Friends,

With pride and enthusiasm, I correspond with you for the first time as the next President of St Joseph High School. I am deeply grateful for this extraordinary leadership opportunity and the trust and confidence of the Search Committee, the Board of Directors, and Bishop Caggiano. I am especially thankful to Dr Fitzgerald for his gracious support during this transition. I consider it to be one of my greatest professional blessings to be selected for this role.

As you know, St Joes provides a caring, inspiring, and loving community in which young women and men grow in faith and build responsible lives of service and leadership. With the daily guidance and encouragement of faculty, staff, and administration, St Joes Cadets learn and live our school’s motto—Privilege and Responsibility. Students graduate academically and socially prepared for college, confident and appreciative for the support they received all along the way.

It is my privilege to join the St Joes family. My door is always open to students, colleagues and families. I look forward to partnering with you to fulfill the school’s mission and to support, encourage, and celebrate the success of our St Joes students.

In Faith and Fellowship,

Mr David Klein

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