29 May 2015 Principal Brian Bailey retires from Sacred Heart
On May 12, co-workers, friends and family of Brian Bailey gathered to wish him well on the occasion of his retirement. After 13 years at Sacred Heart and more than 45 years in education, Bailey retired at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
During his tenure, Bailey has left his legacy at Sacred Heart. He has led the school through a strategic planning process that has been critical for campus improvements, increased student access to technology and made Catholic education accessible for all interested families. Bailey helped the school weather tough economic times in recent years and spearheaded the implementation of a tuition assistance program, strategic school marketing, the addition of a 3- and 4-year-old pre-school program and the renovation of school buildings – all of which contribute to steady growth in enrollment.
Under Bailey’s leadership, the student ACT average has reached record highs. Students continue to score above both state and national averages, with the 2015 class average score being 24.5 (state average was 20.3 and national was 20.8). Bailey has seen the school’s basketball teams win state championships in 2006 and 2007. In 2010 and 2015, the Sacred Heart Quiz Bowl team took the state championship title. In 2012, Sacred Heart formed a LEGO league team for students ages 9-14. The “Robo Rebels” club teaches students to design, build and program LEGO robots and to compete with other students. In 2013, after a long hiatus, the Sacred Heart theater program was once again available for students.
In 2009, Bailey, along with the school board, elected to launch a fund development program. Over the last five years, the development program has generated nearly $1 million for the school, helping to pay for campus renovations, tuition assistance, teacher recruitment and retention, technology improvements and general operating support. Bailey also serves as an ex-officio member of the Sacred Heart Catholic School Endowment Fund which exceeded $1 million in 2013.
“I was fortunate that all of the stars aligned,” said Bailey of his time at Sacred Heart. “I have had a great teaching staff, good coaches, support from our development program, great kids and parents.” Bailey’s granddaughter, Abby, graduated from Sacred Heart in 2013 and his grandchildren, Bailey and JT, are currently enrolled. He has been married to Carolyn Bailey for more than 40 years. They are members of Sacred Heart parish.
As a sign of appreciation, friends placed a bench in the Rebel Plaza in his honor. In addition to his name, title and years of service to the school, the bench is inscribed with his favorite scripture, “For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also. Matthew 6:21”.
