St. Francis, Blessed Sacrament begin search for new principals for 2022-23 school year

QUINCY — Two Quincy parochial grade schools are looking for new principals for the 2022-23 school year.

Lori Shepard announced her resignation as the principal of St. Francis Solanus School in a March 14 letter. She taught art and religion and was the campus minister at Quincy Notre Dame for 18 years, then served as the school’s assistant principal/dean of women for 13 years. Shepard took the job at St. Francis in 2013, replacing Lee Hoffman.

In a letter posted on the parish website, Shepard said she is eager to spend more time with her family, especially her 10-month old grandson.

“The journey has been joyful, yet challenging at times, but always rewarding,” she wrote. “I am so very thankful for the many opportunities that the Lord has provided me throughout the years. As I turn 65 in the near future, I am ready to take a step back and transition into retirement.”

St. Francis is a pre-K through eighth grade school with 240 students. Teaching experience is required of any candidate for principal, and administrative experience is preferred. Candidates must have a master’s degree in administration and an Illinois or Missouri certification. Contact Rev. Steven Arisman at church@stfrancissolanus.com or 217-222-2898 for more information.

Christie Bliven announced her resignation in early April as the principal of Blessed Sacrament School. She was an assistant superintendent for the Quincy School District from 2007 to 2013, handling human resource issues and providing support for curriculum and special education. She replaced Chris Reichert at Blessed Sacrament in 2015.

“Being a part of your children’s lives — supporting, inspiring, redirecting, celebrating and encouraging them to be who God created them to be — has been the most treasured and fulfilling experience in my 45 years as an educator,” Bliven wrote in a letter to school families announcing her decision.

Bliven previously served as principal at Dewey School and Baldwin School and as a third-grade teacher at Ellington, Adams and Madison schools.

Blessed Sacrament is a pre-K through eighth grade school with 220 students. Applicants must be a practicing Catholic with “leadership qualities that connect with a thriving parish spirit of stewardship.” Teaching experience is required of any candidate for principal, and administrative experience is preferred. 

A principal search committee has been created. Contact Father Tom Meyer at tmeyer@dio.org for more information.