Bishop Robert P. Deeley has named Jim King (pictured below) as the new superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools, effective July 1, 2015. King, currently the interim director of elementary schools for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), will succeed Fr. Louis J. Phillips, Ph.D., who has served as interim superintendent since July 1, 2014.
“The Diocese of Portland is blessed to have found an experienced educator recognized for his integrity and innovation,” said Bishop Deeley. “Jim has a strong commitment to keeping Catholic schools centered on faith. He is enthusiastic and dedicated and works well with students, families, faculty, and staff. Jim has a fresh and exciting vision for how best to strengthen and build our Catholic schools as superb centers of learning, service, and faith.”
“I am tremendously excited,” said King. “This is an amazing opportunity. The Catholic schools in Maine have a rich, 150-year tradition of success. I’m thrilled to work with the great people we have in our schools and maximize the incredible potential for growth that exists in Catholic education.”
King brings an exceptional record as a teacher, administrator, and national director to the diocese. Since 2013, he has served as the associate executive director and interim director of the elementary schools department for the NCEA, assisting in the organization and marketing of national conferences while providing Catholic elementary schools across the country with guidance in the areas of communications and technology.
Prior to his time at the NCEA, King was a middle school teacher at four schools in Florida before becoming the principal of St. Martin of Tours School (K-Grade 8) in Maple Heights, Ohio, in 2007. In 2009, he was named principal of St. Matthew Parish School (PK-Grade 8) in Akron, Ohio, where he remained until leaving to complete doctoral internships at the NCEA and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
A 1990 graduate of the University of Akron (B.A., Secondary Education), King completed an M.A. in Educational Leadership in Catholic Schools at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, in 2004. He is currently working towards earning his Ph.D. in Catholic Educational Leadership from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
King has been honored for his leadership, academic achievements, and research skills at the local, regional, and national levels, including his appointment to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Selection Committee this year. The program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence.
A native of Akron, King, his wife Roberta, and their three children look forward to calling Maine home. According to King, while his children are excited about the prospect of “playing in the snow,” he is overjoyed to have the chance to assist the schools in their quest to provide the academic, spiritual, and social benefits of a Catholic education.
“I was and am a very active Catholic, but I didn’t start off in Catholic education. Once I had the opportunity to work in a Catholic school, I was just blown away,” said King. “The combination of strong academics and faith is outstanding. I’ve had so many different experiences in my career. Now, I am excited to really settle into this amazing position and work towards a successful future for the Catholic schools in Maine.”
For more information, contact Dave Guthro, Communications Director for the Diocese of Portland at (207) 321-7810 or at [email protected].