The Board of Trustees of St. Francis Catholic High School would like to thank President Desmond for her leadership and vision that has helped elevate St. Francis to new heights in the last two years. While her departure is bittersweet and we will miss her dearly, we fully support her decision to return to her hometown to pursue an incredible opportunity at her high school Alma Mater. It will also allow her to be close to her family, including elderly parents, while continuing to pursue her passion for Catholic education for young women. The Board of Trustees congratulates her on her new position and wishes her well as she takes the next step on her career path. 

To ensure a smooth transition, the Board of Trustees, in collaboration with Bishop Soto and the Catholic School Department, has established a Presidential Search Committee. This committee includes members of the St. Francis High School and larger Catholic communities with representatives from various stakeholder groups, such as alumnae, past parents, board members, school administration, and the Catholic School Department. The Committee will be retaining an educational executive search firm within the next two weeks.

This matter is a top priority for the Board, and we are confident that because of the great work done by Dr. Desmond and her team we will be able to draw from a number of highly qualified candidates during the search. We are committed to finding a new president who will uphold our Catholic values, honor our traditions, and continue to propel St. Francis forward as a beacon of academic, spiritual, and personal development for young women.

As we embark on this transition, we are filled with confidence about the future of St. Francis. Our recent recognition as the top Catholic high school in the Sacramento region and among the leading private high schools reflects our strong foundation and commitment to excellence. The school’s recent WASC accreditation and the implementation of a visionary strategic plan are further evidence of the ongoing progress and growth we are achieving

We ask for the prayers of the whole St. Francis High School community that the decisions before us may be guided by the wisdom and mercy of the Lord Jesus. The Trustees look forward to welcoming the next President in the fall of 2025 who will transformatively lead our young women; your daughters and granddaughters, for the next 85 years. St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us.

The St. Francis High School Board of Trustees