Two associate superintendents departing archdiocese

Two associate superintendents for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s schools division recently announced they would be leaving for similar positions in other dioceses.

Carol Goldbeck will become the assistant superintendent for the Diocese of Wilmington, while Henry Fortier will take on the role of associate superintendent for federal funding and government relations in the Archdiocese of New York. He was the associate superintendent for federally funded programs in Baltimore.

“They’re both going to be sorely, sorely missed,” said Dr. Ronald Valenti, Baltimore’s superintendent of Catholic schools. “They have been making extraordinary contributions for our diocese. It’s a great loss for us.”

Goldbeck’s final day with the archdiocese was Sept. 25. Fortier will leave Oct. 7.

Dr. Valenti said there is not a plan to replace both Fortier and Goldbeck. The archdiocese, through a Blue-Ribbon Committee of business and education leaders, is developing a strategic plan for the future of schools.

Dr. Valenti said the execution of that plan will determine hires in his department. Fortier and Goldbeck’s roles will be dispersed amongst the schools division.

Fortier was a critical player in the archdiocese’s efforts to get the business tax credit known as BOAST passed in the Maryland state legislature. Like he will in New York, Fortier dealt with federal programs. He also served as the president of the Maryland chapter of the Council for Private Education.

He was in close contact with the Maryland Catholic Conference in Annapolis through many of his roles.

Fortier, the former principal of the closed-New All Saints School, worked with elementary schools as associate superintendent, but will see an increased role in New York. He said there are about 88,000 students and 270 schools in that archdiocese.

The Connecticut native accepted the position with mixed emotions.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Fortier said. “I’m going to miss Baltimore. I have a long history here and a passion for the job.”

Fortier said he found inspiration in many school principals who multitask while dealing with “60 percent of what their public school counterparts” are afforded.

Goldbeck, who had previously been principal of the Institute of Notre Dame and The John Carroll School, could not be reached for comment.

In a recent story in the Diocese of Wilmington’s Dialog newspaper, Goldbeck said: “I feel I am called to help keep Catholic education going. It’s more than just a set of values; this has been my way of life.”

Dr. Valenti said Goldbeck oversaw all secondary schools and some elementary schools, admissions directors and was a liaison for Operation TEACH among many other duties.

Fortier said he knows Baltimore Catholic schools are about to undergo significant changes, but is optimistic.

“My hope is that schools will become secure,” Fortier said. “When I say that, I mean that we can finally put to rest the questioning and wondering of who’s going to be next. Our schools already do a wonderful job with academics. We’re in the top third in the nation and our students come out with a strong sense of who they are.”