Record Staff Report
Mercy Academy and Holy Cross High School recently announced the appointment of new principals who will take the helm at the schools in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
Holy Cross High School announced Jennifer Barz as the school’s new principal March 9.
Barz has served as an educator for 20 years, according to a press release from the school. She has served as a principal for seven years — of Our Lady of Lourdes School and St. Andrew Academy.
At St. Andrew Academy, she led the faculty in curriculum improvement and the integration of technology.
Prior to her role in administration, Barz taught high school in Kentucky and Illinois, where she worked with English as a Second Language students and students with severe learning disabilities, according to the release.
Danielle Wiegandt, Holy Cross’ president, said Barz is “exactly the kind of leader” the school needs.
“Her innovative and forward-thinking fits perfectly with the kind of 21st century education that we strive to provide for our students.
She understands that Jesus is the ever-present teacher in our school and is committed to strengthening the school’s Catholic identity,” said Wiegandt, who served as principal before she was named president last year.
Barz will succeed Bill Strauss, who is serving as interim principal.
Mercy Academy announced March 2 that Sarah Peace will be the school’s new principal, effective July 1.
Peace — who currently serves as assistant principal and dean of students — came to Mercy in 2012. She taught religion and social studies until 2015 when she became assistant principal, according to a press release from the school.
Peace also led the process for Mercy to earn its STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) accreditation in 2016, the release said.
Amy Elstone, Mercy’s current principal, said in the release that the “school couldn’t be in better hands.”
“Sarah embodies every quality that the Sisters of Mercy would want in a principal. She’s innovative, forward-thinking and a woman of amazing integrity,” said Elstone.
Peace received the Prospective Educator of the Year Award from Bellarmine University in 2010 and the Prospective Principal of the Year Award from Bellarmine in 2016.
