Rigg leaving as school superintendent

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CINCINNATI — Dr. Jim Rigg, director of educational services and superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati since July of 2010, has resigned, effective Oct. 2, to become superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“Officials at the Archdiocese of Chicago undertook a nationwide search to find the best Catholic school superintendent, and they succeeded,” said the Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, archbishop of Cincinnati. “Dr. Jim Rigg is an exceptional educational leader. Now he will be putting his talents at the service of the nation’s largest Catholic school system.

“In the five years since Jim joined the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, his dynamic leadership has had a profoundly positive impact on the quality, the vibrancy, and the Catholic identity of our schools. Although we regret his loss, the “Lighting the Way” vision that he shepherded will keep our schools strong for decades to come.

“Lifelong Catholic education is a priority for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. That will be one of the guiding factors as we look for a new director of educational services and superintendent of Catholic schools.”

Schnurr will soon appoint an interim superintendent of Catholic schools for the 2015-16 school year and begin the search for a permanent superintendent.

During his tenure in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Rigg initiated the first-ever comprehensive vision and strategic plan for the 111 Catholic schools. Titled, “Lighting the Way,” this plan has enhanced academic and religious quality, bolstered marketing and financial structures, and provided new levels of support, including:

• The launching of a $130 million capital campaign with $65 million allocated for Catholic education.

• Growth in school financial viability, as illustrated by enrollment. Before 2010, the archdiocese lost approximately 1,200 students per year. In more recent years, enrollment has stabilized and is predicted to increase. In 2014-15, 12 schools that were considering closure five years ago reported being at or near capacity.

• The introduction of an array of new leadership formation programs, including the New Principals’ Academy and the St. Gregory the Great Program.

• The development of three metrics to measure school performance in Catholic identity, academic effectiveness, and operational vitality.

• The launching of the Latino Initiative, which has resulted in the recruitment and support of dozens of families of Latino background.

Before joining the archdiocese, Rigg served as the diocesan director of curriculum in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. He worked as principal of Divine Redeemer Catholic School and St. Peter School in Colorado Springs, and principal of St. Joseph School, one of the “Jubilee Schools” of the Diocese of Memphis. Rigg began his career as a social studies teacher and dean at Bishop Byrne Middle/High School in Memphis.

Rigg holds a Master of Education through the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program at the University of Notre Dame, and Ph.D. in educational leadership. He received his bachelor’s from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massaschusetts. He serves on numerous education-related boards and committees, including the Strive Urban Collaborative, the University of Dayton Lalanne Program, and the Center for Catholic Education at Xavier University. In addition, Rigg teaches a course on evangelization and catechesis at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West. His four children attend Catholic schools in Cincinnati.

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Staff report

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