YOUNGSTOWN Catholic Diocese hires new schools superintendent from Charlotte, N.C.

The diocese's new superintendent will start June 17.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Michael Skube, superintendent of schools in the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., has been named to the same position in the Youngstown diocese.
"He's an extremely impressive individual, and we're just thrilled that we have someone of his caliber to accept this position," said Sister Mary Brendon Zajac, head of the superintendent search committee.
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin said Skube will start the new post June 17. The Youngstown diocese enrolls about 14,000 pupils in 44 Catholic elementary schools and six high schools in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Ashtabula, Portage and Stark counties.
Skube replaces Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich, who became schools superintendent for the Archdiocese of Chicago in July. Wallace Dunne, interim superintendent since Wolsonovich's departure, will resume his duties as the diocese's director of government programs.
Was recommended: Sister Mary Brendon, executive director for pastoral and educational services, said the search committee recommended Skube to Tobin after a six-month national search that attracted several candidates.
She said the committee was looking for someone with advanced degrees, a successful Catholic school experience and good communications and public relations skills. The search committee interviewed five candidates.
"He has incredible connections nationally, so we are very, very fortunate to have someone with such broad experience coming to the diocese," she said.
Skube, who has a doctorate in educational administration from Illinois State University as well as two master's degrees, has led the Charlotte Catholic schools for 13 years.
His background: He has served on various committees for the Chief Administrators of Catholic Education and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He also has been a site visitor and panelist for the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon of Excellence Program.
"He recognized the good foundation of Catholic education in this diocese," Zajac said. "He resonated with that and felt he could build on that, and that's the important thing.
"He's not coming in here starting over. He's coming in here building on an excellent Catholic educational presence in the six-county area."