It is with mixed emotions that I share with you information about a change in leadership at Father Lopez Catholic High School. Our Principal, Lee Sayago, has asked to be released from his contract for personal reasons. He has accepted another leadership assignment within the Diocese of Orlando at St. John Vianney Catholic School. The move allows Mr. Sayago to be closer to his home while continuing to provide leadership and service to the Catholic schools in our Diocese--a journey of love that he has traveled since 1993.  

One must marvel at the many improvements that have occurred at Father Lopez since Lee first arrived on our campus in the summer of 2011. He inherited a school with less than 300 students. He leaves us with a school that now enrolls nearly 500 students. This amazing record of growth helped turn deficit school budgets into balanced spending plans. With our school now on more solid footing, we have been able to proceed with the construction of on-campus facilities for baseball, softball and tennis. Next month, we will also be opening our first TEAL Lab to provide Technology Enhanced Active Learning opportunities for our students and faculty.

Under his leadership, the school moved to a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environment; expanded curriculum offerings; and, strengthened and enhanced our Catholic identity. Simply stated, Mr. Sayago is leaving behind a Father Lopez that is a much more vibrant center of learning, living and love. For this, we are all appreciative.

As we wish Mr. Sayago well on the next leg of his journey, we also take this opportunity to welcome a new Principal for our school. With the new school year fast approaching, we were not in a position to conduct a lengthy search process. In consultation with the Catholic Schools Office, we have elected to appoint Mr. Pat LaMorte as the Interim Principal for the upcoming school year.

Mr. LaMorte brings many impressive credentials with him to our school. For the past four years, he has served as the  Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Technology and Professional Development at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando. He played a key role in launching award-winning technology programs at Bishop Moore. Additionally, he has advised many schools in the Diocese, including Father Lopez, on how to redesign classrooms and media centers to allow for greater integration of technology into the teaching and learning process.

Prior to his move to Florida, Mr. LaMorte served other school communities in the state of New Jersey. He has also made presentations at national meetings on the topic of Educational Technology Integration. The LaMorte family has made a strong commitment to Catholic education. His wife, Lorraine, teaches in our Catholic schools. Their three young children also attend a Catholic elementary school in the Diocese.

I know that you join me in welcoming Mr. LaMorte to our leadership team at Father Lopez. He will quickly understand how special it is to be welcomed into the family that is Father Lopez Catholic High School.