Bishop David J. Bonnar has appointed Father Donald King as president of Stark County Catholic Schools, effective Oct. 11. Father King had served as interim president since July 1.
As president of Stark County Catholic Schools, Father King provides leadership for Canton Central Catholic High School and Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Eric Dublikar, board chair for Stark County Catholic Schools, commented, “The Board of Directors for Stark County Catholic Schools is pleased and excited that Father King is going to remain as our president. Father King’s pastoral leadership will ensure our schools integrate our Catholic faith in all we do, continue to strengthen our school community, continue our commitment to academic excellence, and focus on the growth and vitality of our schools.”
Mary Fiala, diocesan superintendent of schools, noted that, “We are grateful to Father King for accepting this position as president, moving from interim status. He is well-known and respected in the Stark County community. He has a passion for continuing to build our schools to advance the Catholic mission of education.”
Father King retired in August 2019 as pastor of Canton St. Michael the Archangel Parish, where had had served since 2010. He also previously served as pastor of Warren Blessed Sacrament Parish. His various other assignments include time as associate pastor of parishes in Stark County. Father King is a native of Stark County and attended Canton St. Benedict School and Canton Central Catholic High School. He previously served on Catholic school boards in both Stark and Trumbull counties.
“I welcome the opportunity to serve our Stark County Catholic High Schools as President. My association with the schools goes back to 1962. They have been an important part of my Catholic formation and I consider it a privilege to share their gifts with still another generation of students and families,” Father King said.