Catholic school board plans to resume search for new director

Niagara’s Catholic school board hopes to resume its search for a new education director next month.

The hiring process to replace outgoing director John Crocco, who announced in September his plan to retire at the end of this school year, were forced into pause mode in late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m certainly not going to hire a director of education over the phone, or something that’s done electronically rather than in person,” said Frank Fera, chair of Niagara Catholic District School Board.

“No, we’re not going to do that unless it’s absolutely necessary. We’re waiting for the medical officer of health to lift the restrictions” on the number of people who can gather together. The province has mandated gatherings of no more than five people, to limit spread of the coronavirus. Fera said once that limit is increased to 10, the hiring process can resume.

Crocco worked as a teacher, vice-principal and principal at several Niagara Catholic schools and then as a board superintendent before being named education director in

2008.

His last day on the job is slated to be Aug. 31. The board hired Toronto-based Promeus Executive Search to lead the hiring process.

“My understanding is that we have about eight or nine candidates that have applied,” said Fera. “Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we have been unable to meet for interviews.”

He said he’s not concerned the board might run out of time to find a replacement for Crocco before the start of the new school year.

“We’re still within the timeline,” he said. “If we can get somebody in the month of June, they still have two months to come in and look over the situation and bring in an entry plan prior to September.”

Crocco could not be reached for comment Wednesday. He is one of two prominent Niagara educators to leave this year.

In February, Dan Patterson retired from his role as president of Niagara College after about 25 years. He was succeeded by Sean Kennedy, the college’s former vice-president for international education.