After completing a nationwide search, Messmer Catholic Schools announced Wednesday the hiring of James Piatt as its new president to oversee the school’s 1,600 students at its three campuses.
Piatt was appointed by the Messmer board of directors this week. Piatt will be transitioning from his current position as Brown Deer High School principal to Messmer Catholic Schools president in the next month. He will start his new role on Aug. 20.
Piatt previously served as both a math and computer teacher at Messmer High School as well as the Girls’ Basketball Coach. In 1996, he was named Associate Principal at Franklin High School, then went on to serve as principal at Dominican High School from 1998-2004. The Brown Deer School District hired Piatt as principal of its high school in 2004.
Messmer board member and search committee chair Peter Salza said, “The search committee at Messmer was quite struck by Jim Piatt’s passion for excellence in urban education. In the last several years, the successes of Brown Deer students in core academics have received much well-deserved attention, We were also very excited that Jim knows Messmer and its school community very well, considering his years as a teacher and coach here.”
Piatt will succeed Brother Bob Smith, who resigned due to health reasons.
“The unprecedented dedication of the supporters, educators, leaders, and families of Messmer Catholic Schools has been an inspiration to many people in our community, myself included,” Piatt said. “For more than two decades, Messmer has been a leader in Milwaukee and nationally for the historic reform of the educational market for children. As this market is changing and rapidly expanding, I look forward to guiding Messmer Catholic Schools as we encounter a new set of challenges and opportunities in 2013 and beyond. I feel deeply blessed to have the opportunity to return to Messmer in a new role.”
