Rick Koenig Retiring From Lake Catholic

Principal Rick Koenig sent an email to staff and his students' parents this week, telling them he planned to retire at the end of the school year.

"It is with tremendously mixed emotions that I inform you that I will be retiring at the end of this school year," Koenig wrote. "I initially thought I was coming here for one year to help find a more permanent person for the principal’s position. Well, I’ve stayed for four years, mostly because of everyone here and in the community making this such a wonderful place to be."

Koenig had already retired from public education when he accepted the position at Lake Catholic, President Sal Miraglotta said.

"He's already been more than generous with us," Miraglotta said.

Miraglotta said a lot of Lake Catholic's recent successes -- from improved academic scores to increased attendance -- could be attributed to Koenig.

Koenig began his career at Lake Catholic, also. He taught there for six years in the 1970s.

Michele Bernot, the director of campus ministry, said she would most miss Koenig's personability.

"I'm going to miss the way that Rick can relate to people across the spectrum," Bernot said.

Miraglotta said he would miss Koenig's sense of humor. For example, he recalled when Koenig called him after the girls volleyball team won the state championship two years ago.

"He asked me if he could declare a day off," Miraglotta remembered. "I said, 'Sure, whatever you think is right.' He said, 'Good, because I already did.' I could hear the cheering in the background. He got caught up in the moment, I guess."

Miraglotta said he would meet the Diocese of Education Friday to discuss finding the school's next principal.

For his part, Koenig promised that he would always be a part of Lake Catholic. After all, his kids attended the school and he still lives a half mile away.

"I intend to still be a part of the Lake Catholic community, and it will forever be in my heart. This really is a wonderful place. I have been blessed to have been able to bookend my years in education with these two stints at Lake," he said.