Monte Cassino has announced that Matt Vereecke (Ver-EEE-kee), principal of Tulsa’s Saint Pius X School, will become Monte Cassino’s school director July 1.

“Matt Vereecke is an extremely gifted educator, and I see great things for Monte Cassino as he works with all of the Monte Cassino community—sisters, administrators, faculty, parents, and especially our students—to fulfill the school’s mission:  to provide a Benedictine legacy of grateful spirit, superior studies, and loving service,” said Sister Christine Ereiser, president of Monte Cassino School Corporation and prioress of Saint Joseph Monastery.

A nine-person search committee comprised of school board members, Monte Cassino alumni, and members of the St. Joseph monastic community interviewed school director candidates from across the country.

“Matt was chosen through an extensive and thorough process,” said Margie Warren, Monte Cassino School board chair and member of the search committee.  “After interviewing many candidates from across the nation, we selected Matt because of his administrative style, his leadership skills, and his vision for Catholic education.”

Under Vereecke’s direction, Saint Pius X School’s enrollment grew 15 percent since 2007. Additionally, he established the Jane Scalet Scott Fund for special needs students at Saint Pius and coordinated fund-raising for an 8,000-volume library expansion, a staff tutoring center, the addition of a language lab and instrumental music program, an outdoor classroom and greenhouse, and a full technology update.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame, Vereecke completed Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education program in 2006, where he received a Master of Education. Upon completion, he taught middle school Spanish, language arts, writing and physical education at Tulsa’s St. Catherine School.
 
“Catholic education is my passion, Vereecke said.  “To be able to follow in the footsteps of Sister Mary Clare who is not only a great educator, but a pillar of this community is truly a great honor,” Vereecke said. “The caliber of Monte Cassino graduates is well known throughout the dioceses. I am excited to nurture and expand that legacy as we continue to move forward and grow Monte Cassino.”

As school director, Vereecke will lead Monte Cassino’s administrative team, composed of Assistant School Director Steve Moore, Middle School Principal Mary Whelan, Elementary School Principal Lisa Beardshear, and Early Childhood Principal Karen Nally. Other duties will include curriculum/program planning, as well as overseeing the implementation of Monte Cassino’s strategic plan.

Vereecke follows Sister Mary Clare Buthod, who was Monte Cassino’s school director for almost four decades.  In December 2009, Sister Mary Clare resigned for health reasons.