St. Thomas Aquinas High School sees changes as part of ‘new era of progress,’ commitment to students

EDISON – St. Thomas Aquinas High School has adopted a new governance model where a president and a principal will work collaboratively with a board of limited jurisdiction.
 
Bishop James F. Checchio announced the change in a letter that was shared with the school community on Wednesday. 
 
“These models of governance and leadership, which have widely been adopted by Catholic high schools throughout the nation, will enable us to usher in a new era of progress and academic excellence, while simultaneously recognizing the vital role lay leaders play in the success of Catholic school education,” Bishop Checchio wrote in the letter.
 
This is the most recent in a series of changes at the diocese’s co-educational college preparatory school. The school, then-Bishop George Ahr High School, was returned to its original name last year, as the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.
 
The decision to implement the change, which will take effect Sept. 1, was made “after careful discernment and only after consultation with the Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Education and lay leaders in our school community,” and will build upon the foundation already set, according to the letter.
 
“I know too from other places in the nation who have adopted these models of leadership that they have produced great new fruit in the mission of Catholic education,” wrote Bishop Checchio. “I am also grateful to know that consultation with and insights from the current faculty and staff have been a key factor in assisting to ascertain needs, challenges and new possibilities.”
 
Serving as the school’s first president will be Sr. Donna Marie Trukowski, CSSF, who served as its principal for over 37 years. In the newly established role, she will focus on the key areas of school mission, financial management, facilities, alumni relations, and fundraising.
 
Equipped with decades of experience and strong institutional knowledge, she will also lead the new board of limited jurisdiction, whose purpose will be “to promote and advance the mission of the school as it educates and instructs students to reach the fullness of Christian life.” The board will be comprised of lay leaders, priests and religious from the community who share a unified vision for the school.
 
“With the implementation of this new governance model and the joint efforts of the school’s administration and lay and religious leaders, who together have expertise in Catholic thought, business, finance, education, marketing, fundraising, law, and facilities management, each with a strong Catholic identity of their own, it is believed that the school will have an even stronger foundation for generations to come,” wrote the bishop.
 
Mr. Harry Ziegler, who has served as the school’s associate principal for 11 years, will assume the role of principal. 
 
He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school, including guidance, admissions and the school’s programs, such as curriculum, extracurricular, co-curricular and student development. As the principal, he will also be responsible for the overall climate of the school and the development of both faculty and students. As part of this, he will be charged with cultivating the spiritual growth of all within the school community and the fostering of the uniquely Christian environment offered at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, according to the letter.
 
“As we reaffirm our commitment and take these next steps forward to ensure that current and future students will continue to thrive in a Christ-centered environment at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, I ask you too for your prayers, support and energy for this worthy enterprise central to forming impactful Catholic leaders now and well into the future,” wrote Bishop Checchio.