New Principal Search Updates

February 28, 2023: Letter from Father Justin Raines

Dear Saint Matthew Community,

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide an update on our progress in the search for our new principal. In collaboration with Dr. Rebecca Hammel, the Superintendent of Schools, and Julie Perrey, Chief Mission Integration Officer for the Diocese of Nashville, we have solidified our strategies to attract suitable applicants and ultimately hire the best candidate to serve as principal of Saint Matthew School.

Dr. Hammel and Mrs. Perrey will lead the logistics of the search and present to me and to our school board chair, Dr. Keith Hollister, all applicants who meet the criteria for Catholic school leadership in our diocese. As previously stated, we are searching for a candidate that is (a) a practicing Catholic, (b) certified with appropriate credentials in our state, and (c) deeply committed to the mission of the Church. I have formed a small, well-rounded committee tasked with interviewing the candidates and providing consult to me for hiring the best leader. They are strong in their Catholic faith, familiar with our community, and dedicated to our school. We plan to send out short bios about our interview committee soon.

As we plan for the interview process, your input is appreciated to inform the interview committee about the needs of the school community as perceived by its most important stakeholders, you. I ask you to please complete a very brief online survey to share your hopes for the school’s next leader. This survey is active now and remains open through March 10, 2023. You can access the survey by clicking here.

I thank you for your assistance in this search and for your commitment to Saint Matthew School. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you, especially as we enter this Lenten season.

Sincerely in Christ,
Reverend Justin Raines

January 18, 2023: Letters from Mr. Tim Forbes & Father Justin Raines

Dear Saint Matthew Community,

One of the greatest joys in my life has been the opportunity to be the principal of Saint Matthew School. It is a beautiful community in which my wife and I raised our children. Earlier this month, I shared with Father Raines that this will be my last year as the school principal. In prayer, I believe God is calling me to move on.

I am grateful to the pastors whom I have served under. I am grateful for the parents who have placed their trust in the school. I am grateful for our faculty and staff and their dedication to fulfilling the school’s mission. Last, I am grateful to the students who continually demonstrate the hope and the love of Christ in our community.

Sincerely,

Tim Forbes

Dear Saint Matthew Community,

Mr. Tim Forbes has let me know that he will not be seeking a new contract as principal of Saint Matthew School. Tim will remain principal until his contract expires at the end of June and has committed to assisting with the transition to a new principal. We are thankful for his service to the Lord in our community and his leadership of Saint Matthew School over the past 8 years. Our community is grateful for all he has accomplished here. We wish Tim well in his future endeavors and assure him of our prayers.

I will work diligently to secure a dynamic new principal to lead Saint Matthew School next year. We are working with the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Nashville to finalize a search process for a new principal who meets criteria for Catholic school leadership in our diocese, namely a candidate that is (a) a faithful practicing Catholic, (b) certified with appropriate credentials in our state, and (c) committed to the mission of the Church. I am in the process of forming a small committee that will interview candidates together and offer recommendations for hiring once the best leader is identified. More information on the process will be forthcoming.

As part of this process, a survey will be created to send to our current school faculty, staff and parents to gather input on the next principal and help determine the strengths and areas of improvement for our school. We anticipate this survey going out soon.

A national search will follow with job postings in print, social media, and job search engines online. Word of mouth is always a useful marketing tool, so we hope you will assist us by speaking with potential candidates you know and directing them to the Catholic Schools Office. We are hopeful that we can identify and name a new principal in May.

I will keep you apprised of our progress and thank you for your commitment to Saint Matthew. I ask that you please keep our community in your prayers as this transition takes place, and for the Holy Spirit to guide the search committee as we seek out our next principal.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Justin Raines