New President Named for Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School
Bernard Audette, Ed.D, has been named as the new President for Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School. Audette is the current Principal of Holy Name Central Catholic Junior and Senior High School in Worcester. The appointment of Audette was announced by Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Steve Perla with the approval of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. Effective July 1, 2018, Audette will replace current Coyle and Cassidy President Mary Pat Tranter, Ph.D, who will move into her new role as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office.
During his seven years at Holy Name Central Catholic the school grew in enrollment and stabilized financially. This growth was due, in part, to the changes made to strengthen their academic program including establishing a SAT Preparation Program. In the first three years of the program they have gone from having 51% of their students score at or above the national average to 68% scoring at or above the national average. They also became the third Massachusetts school and the first Massachusetts Catholic school to be accepted as a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM schools. Recently Audette helped establish a partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute to design a new college level life science lab at the school that will open in the Fall and will house their new Biotechnology and Genetics courses.
A 1988 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Audette started his career in finance and completed his MBA at Suffolk University. After ten years in the finance world Audette felt called to change directions and bring his experience to the classroom. While working for the Quabbin Regional School District Audette earned his Doctorate of Education from Argosy University.
In his role as Coyle and Cassidy President Audette will be charged with continuing and strengthening the school’s mission and Catholic identity, developing strategic partnerships, collaborating with the principal to increase and strengthen their academic offerings, implementing the strategic plan, advancement, alumni relations, and community building. Upon accepting this position Audette stated, “I feel so blessed to be joining the Coyle and Cassidy family that plays such a significant role in providing Catholic education in the City of Taunton and for the surrounding areas. I am fortunate to be able to join a family of talented and dedicated educators who are so devoted to our Catholic faith and our ministry of education.”
Like many in Catholic Education, Audette sees his work as a vocation. He shared, “I am committed to a child-centered approach for learning that fosters the discernment and development of each child’s Christ-given gifts. It is through the manifestation of these gifts coming from God’s guidance and a Christ-centered education that shepherds all students to reach their full potential, leading them to nothing short of changing this world. I bring a great vocation to Christ through Catholic education and I share the vision of Superintendent Perla and his team for the continuous improvement and expansion of transformative, authentic Catholic school experiences for all. It is with great excitement, commitment, and blessing from God that I embrace this opportunity.”
In welcoming Audette to this new role Perla said, “I am looking forward to working with Dr. Audette to advance and to strengthen the mission of Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School. I am confident that Dr. Audette’s deep passion for Catholic school education and his prodigious leadership skills will position Coyle and Cassidy for future success.
Assistant Superintendent Sandra Drummey chaired the search committee which included Coyle and Cassidy board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and students. The committee interviewed candidates from across the country before recommending Audette to Superintendent Perla and Bishop da Cunha for approval. Drummey commented, “We are excited to welcome Dr. Audette to the Diocese of Fall River. He brings with him a true love for Catholic education! I wish to personally thank all of the members of the search committee. Their continued support and guidance during the interview process showed their commitment to the continued success of Coyle and Cassidy.”
Perla added, “I want to thank Dr. Tranter for her deep commitment and service to the Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School community. For the past 27 years and 11 of these years as its President, Dr. Tranter has provided extraordinary leadership. I am also grateful to Dr. Tranter for her willingness to expand her role to benefit all of the Diocese of Fall River’s Catholic school students.”