Kilmade to lead SCC; Goyer to head Sacred Heart

Two key positions have been filled in diocesan Catholic Schools for the 2020-21 school year as Joe Kilmade has been named principal of Saratoga Central Catholic in Saratoga Springs, while Amanda Goyer has been named principal of Sacred Heart elementary school in Troy.

“I am thrilled to have two exceptional individuals take on these important leadership roles at our schools,” said Giovanni Virgiglio, diocesan school superintendent and chancellor. “The dedication and years of experience of both Joe and Amanda will benefit our students, faculty and staff — and the broader school communities in both Troy and Saratoga.”

Kilmade, a Capital Region native has more than a decade of teaching and school administrative experience across several states in the Midwest, most recently, as principal of Ascension Catholic School, with more than 300 students, in St. Louis, Mo.

“I am humbled and excited to accept the position of principal at Saratoga Central Catholic School,” said Kilmade. “I look forward to getting to know the community in the coming months and to working together next school year.”

Goyer has spent her entire professional career in service to schoolchildren in the Albany Diocese, starting her career as a teacher in 2007, and serving as principal of St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls from 2017-19. She has been an educational consultant to Diocesan schools for the last year.

“Sacred Heart has a wonderful tradition in the heart of Troy,” Goyer said. “I look forward to learning and growing alongside the students, faculty, staff, families and parishioners for years to come.”

The Diocesan Catholic School Office worked with local leaders at both schools to conduct broad searches and identify the best-qualified candidate for each position. The new principals will begin work in July, and “meet the principal” events will be scheduled at each school around the start of the next school year.

“I’d like to thank the members of both search committees for their hard work in screening many qualified candidates to find the best of the best,” Virgiglio added.

Virgiglio noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent need for social distancing required both search committees to shift their processes, moving to virtual interviews and meetings. Committee members and candidates adapted quickly, and the processes continued to their successful conclusions without interruption or delay.

Virgiglio noted the important work of the two interim principals who led the schools temporarily.

“As a school community, we are all very grateful to Michael Kondratowicz for his leadership at Saratoga Central Catholic School, and Ernie Casile for his guiding hand at Sacred Heart,” Virgiglio said. “Both stepped in to ensure the important work of educating our students continued, and thanks to their efforts, the schools are well-prepared for their new leaders.”