2009-2010 Education Council

Laura Naviaux is the representative for St. Pius X Parish. Laura also serves as Council Chair and on the Finance Committee . Laura is a teacher in Hancock County. She and her husband, Gene, have 3 children, all OCHS graduates.

When asked her thoughts about serving on the Board, she replied, "I have always enjoyed being a part of the Catholic Schools family and I am so appreciative that our children have the opportunity to belong to such a caring and committed educational system. I hope to use my skills and talents to help work towards improving student opportunities for learning and becoming responsible citizens."

Dan Heckel represents Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Dan and his wife, Sherri, have a son, Max, currently at OCHS. Dan serves on the Owensboro Catholic Schools Board as a member of the Executive Committee as Vice Chair and Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. Dan also serves on the Bylaws & Policies Committee.

Dan shares his thoughts about serving as a parish representative, "I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the council, and to get a better understanding of all the work that goes into making the Owensboro Catholic Schools such an important part of faith formation for our children."

Rob Mitchell is the representative for St. Augustine Parish in Reed. He serves as Treasurer for the Council and as the Chair of the Finance Committee. He and his wife, April, have five children.

Rob says, "Catholic Schools are one of the most important and critical missions of the Roman Catholic Church.  Our youth are indeed our future."

Debbie Durbin is the representative from Precious Blood parish. Debbie serves as Secretary of the Council, the Bylaws & Policies Committee and the Elementary (K-6) School Cirriculum Committee.

Debbie and her husband, Tom, have two children enrolled in OCS and another in preschool. Debbie states, 'I am honored to represent my parish. I will do what I feel is in the best interest of everyone involved.'

Fr. Carl Gerard McCarthy serves as the Priest Representative. Fr. Carl is the Pastor of Sts. Joe and Paul Parish Fr. Carl has been ordained a priest for 11 years. He himself is a 1985 OCHS alumni. He enjoys the outdoors, friends and good movies.

He looks forward to representing the local priests; their thoughts and ideas, in hopes of better facilitating the parish to the School Board. He also sees this to be an exciting time for OCS and is looking forward to seeing and helping with its continued growth and success in continuing our youth' Catholic education.

Jerry Goetz represents Blessed Mother Parish. He and his wife, Michelle, have three children in the Owensboro Catholic Schools. Jerry serves on the Finance Committee and the Elementary Athletic Committee.

Jerry says, "I grew up in the Catholic school system and appreciate the foundation it provided.   My children are currently in the Catholic schools and I plan, through my services on the board, to help the Catholic schools continue to grow, improve, and offer many opportunities and a great faith filled education to our children."

Jim Hartz represents St. Mary Magdalene Parish. Jim serves on the Elementary Athletic Committee and the High School/Middle School Athletic Advisory. Jim and his wife, Amy, have three sons enrolled in the Owensboro Catholic Schools.

Jim had this to say about his role on the Council, " I firmly believe in the Catholic School experience and decided that I wanted to be involved in the direction the school system is taking.  Being on the Education Council is an important part of bringing the Catholic schools experience back to my parish, and I am happy to help make the OCS system the best it can be."

Karen Bickett represents St. Martin's parish. She and her husband, Gary, have three children, Will, Meredith, and Olivia Grace; all attend OCS. Karen is a Radiologist. Karen serves on the K-6 Curriculum Committee and the Enrollment Committee.

About serving on the School Board, Karen replied, "I want to preserve and improve our Catholic schools, grow in my own Catholic Faith by being active in the school, church, and Catholic community, provide leadership and optimism for our schools. We need to make people see how great OCS is!"

Mel Windle is the representative for St. Stephen Cathedral parish. Mel serves on the Owensboro Catholic Schools Board as a member of the Bylaws/Policies Committee and the High School/Middle School Curriculum Committee. Mel is a retired insurance executive. Mel is married to Margaret, who is also an active volunteer for our schools. His son, Michael, is a graduate of OCHS and his daughter, Kayla attends OCHS.

About serving on the Board Mel said, "I am interested in the opportunity to learn just what is behind the success OCS has in developing outstanding students, citizens and Catholics; to learn more about the policies of OCS, its direction and hopefully to be a part of the movement to grow the student population."

Chris Settles represents St. Peter's Parish for the OCS School Board. Chris and his wife, Sandy, have three children, Melissa, Lauren, and Kelsey. Chris operates a poultry, tobacco, and grain farm. In his spare time he coaches softball. Chris serves on the Building and Grounds Committee and the High School and Middle School Athletic Advisory.

Chris shared his interest in serving on the School Board, "I have always been active in the PTO at school. I felt this was an opportunity to serve my parish and I want to work toward making the school system better, more affordable and more appealing to the Citizens of Daviess County."

Jane Lovekamp is the representative for Sts Joseph and Paul parish. She and her husband, Chris, have 4 children; 2 are OCHS graduates and 2 are currently enrolled at OCS. Jane serves on the Long Range Planning Committee and the Bylaws and Policies Committee.

Jane said about serving on the Education Council, "Having our children attend schools that offer a positive Christian environment is of primary importance to my husband and me.  I hope to contribute in any way I can to the continued success of OCS."

John Teets, Jr. is the representative for St. Alphonsus Parish. John is on the Long Range Planning Committee and the Enrollment Committee. John and his wife, Heather, have three children in the Owensboro Catholic Schools.

John says, "I consider it an honor and privilege to serve on the education council.  Being part of this process has opened my eyes to the dedication the staff and volunteers at OCS truly have for our children."

Chris Belcher is the representative for Immaculate Parish. Chris serves on the Elementary Athletic Committee and the Building & Grounds Committee. He and his wife, Vickie, have 2 duaghters at OCS. Chris serves as Captain of the Owensboro Fire Dept. Training Division and 1991 OCHS graduate.

Chris says about being part of the Education Council, "I grew up in the Owensboro Catholic School System, and now have 2 daughters who attend OCS.  I believe in the OCS mission; Christ is the reason for our schools.  The accomplishments of our students and the way they carry themselves through each and every day is our testimony.  I am very proud to be a part of this family."

Mary Raley is the representative for St. Anthony's Parish. Mary serves on the High School and Middle School Curriculum Committee and the Enrollment Committee.

Catholic High is a family tradition. She was the first of thirteen children that her parents graduated from OC and now is the Mom of three Owensboro Catholic graduates:  Shane Nance, Lauren and Ashley Barna.  Her youngest daughter, Kara, is currently enrolled at OCS. 

Mary had this to say about serving on the Council, 'This is my second opportunity to serve as the parish rep from St. Anthony’s.  Being involved on the Education Council allows me to stay connected to OCS community, supporting the faculty, staff and parents of our students.  I want to see us continue to grow our enrollment, focusing on the values, standards, an'd quality education offered throughout the OCS system.

Bob/Lisa Knott is the representative for St. Elizabeth Parish (1 vote). They serve on the Building & Grounds Committee.

Both have graduated from OCS. We have two daughters who have also graduated from OCS, and currently have a daughter and son enrolled.

"We feel privileged to be able to serve on this committee. It is interesting to see the behind the scenes of OCS and to see how they overcome the challenges of running a private Catholic school. We feel stronger about our children getting a Catholic education now, than even when we first began to send them.