New leadership structure created for Badin’s future
High school principal to be 1st Badin president, vice principal to move into principal role.
— For the first time in its more than half century existence, Butler County’s only Catholic high school is altering its top leadership structure.
Brian Pendergest, the 12-year veteran principal of Badin High School, will become the school’s first president for next school year.
Pendergest’s position will be filled, starting in the 20222023 school year, by current
Badin Assistant Principal Patrick Keating, said school officials in a statement sent to school families of the west Hamilton high school.
The new leadership alignment is needed, said school officials, to “reach our academic and advancement goals,” wrote Badin Board Chairwoman Cynamon Trokhan.
The president, said school officials, will direct fundraising, finances, facilities and faith life as well as strategic planning for the school, with the principal being in charge of day-to-day school activities. The board recommendations were approved by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, which oversees the Catholic high school as well as dozens of others in a 19-county area.
Pendergest said “I’m honored that the board has the trust in me to recommend me for this position.”
“As much as I have enjoyed being principal, I’m excited about the new challenges ahead to continue to help a school that I’m very passionate about.”
Pendergest said he will look forward to new projects, including a proposed parking and multi-sport stadium complex behind the high school on New London Road.
His 12-year legacy as the school’s principal includes providing personal learning technology for every student, the installation of new academic programs such as engineering and a variety of elective courses of study along with the school’s addition of a $2 million Student Development Center.
“It’s been a complete team effort,” Pendergest said.