Principal changes at St. Theresa School

By Kathryn Reed

Anne Filce is in the principal’s office and Danette Winslow is back in the classroom full time.

The change at St. Theresa School in South Lake Tahoe became effective July 1, though the decision was made during the last school year. It’s the head pastor who makes the administrative decision.

Filce has been a teacher at the Catholic K-8 school on and off since 1996. In addition to her job as principal, she will also be teaching the 4-5 combination class like she did last year.

Winslow was in the classroom some of her years while principal. She was not available for comment.

Filce said she would be attending Catholic school management training courses later this month. Her focus will be on learning about recruitment and retention of students.

In 2005, the school had more than 200 students, while in 2010-11 there were less than 90.

Filce pointed to the economy – South Lake Tahoe had an unemployment rate of 17 percent in May – and families moving as reasons enrollment has declined.

Her school is not alone. Lake Tahoe Unified and Douglas County school districts are facing the same dilemma on the South Shore.

However, Filce does have making calls to parents who no longer have kids at St. Theresa on her to-do list this summer before classes begin Sept. 6.

St. Theresa is the only Catholic school in the basin, with the next nearest one being in El Dorado Hills. Filce said even though rumors have floated the school is closing; she said there is no truth to that.

Besides enrollment concerns, Filce will also be spearheading the accreditation process that begins in the fall.

Her contract is for one year, which Filce said is normal for Catholic schools – to renew them annually.