MIDDLETOWN – Mater Dei Prep High School raised the money. It won the support of the Diocese of Trenton. All that was left was to hire someone to oversee the school as it moved forward in the fall.
Now the school has its new leader to steer it to its future.
The board of trustees for Mater Dei Prep Roman Catholic High School has hired James Hauenstein, a veteran Ocean County public school educator and administrator, for the newly created president/head of school position as the school prepares to start anew this fall as a restructured independent Catholic school, following its past financial difficulties and dropping enrollment.
Coming to Catholic education means, “basically, it’s about returning to who I am and what I am and what my belief system is,” Hauenstein said of this shift in his career. For 33 years, Hauenstein, 54, a Toms River resident, has worked for the Toms River school district, currently as assistant superintendent of the Toms River Regional School District, from which he’ll be retiring this summer. Before holding that position, he was for seven years principal of Toms River High School North and earlier in his career he had been a special education teacher.
“My personal education is all Catholic education,” he explained, having attended Roselle Catholic High School; Boston College for his undergraduate degree in elementary/special education; and Georgian Court University, Lakewood, for his master’s degree.
“My background and personal faith is very strong,” Hauenstein said. “And I always said sometime in my career I would love to return to my roots.”
Coming from a large district – with three high schools that had more than 1,300 students graduate this year – to a small, private institution (currently with 340 students, with enrollment expected to be about the same or slightly
higher for the 2015-16 school year) will offer a rewarding change and one Hauenstein is looking for ward to as he transitions to the new job, he said.
In a large district, like Toms River, “We try very hard to make large small,” to interact with the school community. For Mater Dei, “I think that exists here already.” And he looks forward for the opportunity to connect with students, parents and other stakeholders.
What also exists, Hauenstein pointed out, is a strong support system, which worked hard to ensure the school has a future.
“The foundation they have laid for Mater Dei Prep to continue to do great things is very invigorating,” he said.
That support, he stressed, will allow him and staff to do what they do for the school community: “We aspire to impact the future,” for the young people in their charge, he said, “through our curriculum, through our lifestyle, through the messages we teach in the classroom.”
Hauenstein officially starts in September, but while completing his obligations with the Toms River District, he will work with school staff and the board so that the school “opens in perfect condition and ready to go,” he said.
In February things looked precarious for Mater Dei Prep High School, 538 Church St., in the township’s New Monmouth section, operating for 50 years. School officials announced at that time the school would have to close in June, due to a continuing budget deficit that had reached $1 million and unstable enrollment. The school community rallied, raising $1.5 million to continue operating for the 2015-16 school year and establish a continuing endowment for the future.
Organizers worked to draft a business plan for future sustainability that would have the school operate independently from St. Mary’s Parish and the Diocese of Trenton concerning finances and academics. The diocese would only have input in regards to religious instructions.
Bishop David M. O’Connell approved the plan in April.
– By John Burton
