St. Joe's High School leaders promoted to new roles

Two administrators at St. Joseph High School in Harrison will lead with new titles but in familiar roles.

Beverly Kaniecki and Kimberly Minick were named president and principal, respectively, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Friday.

The work is something the pair has shared for more than a decade.

“God places us right where we need to be, and St. Joseph, our patron, watches over our school,” Kaniecki said.

James Gilboy, chairman of the school’s board of directors, said the pair works as an effective team and the change in titles is nothing more than business as usual.

Gilboy feels certain that Catholic education in the Alle-Kiski Valley has a strong future, he said.

The retitling at St. Joe’s was part of an announcement by Bishop David Zubik that also included the appointment of Nicole Powell as principal at Oakland Catholic High School. Powell has served as assistant principal since 2016 and as acting principal since late last year.

In a statement from the diocese, Zubik said both schools will now use the principal/president model.

The principal oversees daily academic operations that include curriculum development, faculty and student affairs. The president is in charge of fundraising, marketing enrollment and other financial issues.

Oakland Catholic is the only all-girls Catholic school in the region and has 483 students. It has used the principal/president model for several years.

Zubik’s appointments give the board of St. Joe’s permission to adopt the operational model.

The changes are effective immediately.

Kaniecki, a longtime staple at St. Joe’s, has worked as principal for 31 years and before than, as a teacher. She has led three capital campaigns that raised a total of more than $5 million.

“In March 1979, I needed to do student teaching, and St. Joseph High School needed a math teacher for the last quarter,” she said. “When I was hired as math teacher, the sisters told me that I was sent by St. Joseph! I was then encouraged by my principal, Sister Regina Clare, to pursue my master’s and certification in administration, which I did.”

During Christmas break in 1990, the school principal resigned, and Kaniecki said she was prepared to step in.

“As we grew as a school and into our new building, we needed an assistant principal. And Mrs. Minick, an experienced administrator and trusted colleague, was available. We have been blessed to work together these past 12 years. Our work remains the same, only our titles change.”

Calling her an inspirational role model, Zubik said Kaniecki’s conviction and practice of faith has “nurtured a culture of Gospel values at St. Joseph through which students have come to know and love Christ.”

Minick was a former teacher and principal at Mt. Alvernia High School in Millvale before coming to St. Joe’s.

She is a “well-respected and beloved administrator who understands the importance of (her) role in forming young men and women in the faith and guiding them to excel in service and leadership,” Zubik said.