EASTLAKE, OH – July 1, 2025 – The newly established Lake County Catholic School Network (LCCSN) is pleased to announce its official launch on July 1, 2025. This significant initiative marks a new chapter for Catholic elementary education in Western Lake County, fostering a collaborative model to strengthen and sustain the mission of All Saints School and Mater Dei Academy. The LCCSN admin offices will be centrally located at St. Justin Martyr School in Eastlake, Ohio.
The formation of the LCCSN is a direct result of the “Keeping the Faith Strategic Plan for Catholic Elementary Education,” a multi-parish commitment aimed at formalizing shared resources, talent, and governance to ensure the enduring success of Catholic schools in the community. The LCCSN will provide comprehensive oversight in areas critical to school operations, including finance, enrollment, development, and facilities.
Parents, students, and faculty of All Saints School and Mater Dei Academy can be assured that this transition will bring no changes to the current leadership or educational environment within their respective schools. Both schools will retain their current principals and faculty as planned, ensuring continuity in the daily academic and spiritual lives of their students.
The LCCSN’s administrative team will lead the network’s strategic and operational efforts. We are pleased to announce that Barbara Mancari will serve as the President of the LCCSN, bringing her extensive experience to guide the network’s vision and goals. Supporting her will be Sue Lagoni, who has been appointed as the Finance Director of the LCCSN, overseeing the financial stewardship of the network.
Governance of the Lake County Catholic School Network is provided by a dedicated and experienced Board of Directors and Board of Members. The Board of Members comprises the pastors of each member parish, along with the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland’s delegate, Rev. John Betters, ensuring the network remains rooted in its spiritual mission. “The network offers us an opportunity to do something bold and new that will assure both schools are unapologetically Catholic, academically excellent and operating well” said Rev. Betters.
The Board of Directors is composed of lay representatives from each parish along with highly experienced educators from community Catholic and public schools at all levels. The Board has been meeting to develop best practices and set standards to prepare our children for success going to their high school of choice. The Board of Directors includes six parish representatives (one appointed by each pastor), two school representatives, and other vested stakeholders, collectively providing strategic direction and oversight to the network’s operations and the President.
“The launch of the Lake County Catholic School Network is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our parishes and the Diocese to Catholic education,” said Barbara Mancari, President of the LCCSN. “This collaborative model will enhance the resources available to All Saints School and Mater Dei Academy, ensuring they continue to provide exceptional academic and faith-based formation for generations to come, all while preserving the unique identities and strong leadership within each school.”
The LCCSN looks forward to a successful future, working hand-in-hand with the school communities to advance Catholic education in Lake County. The first LCCSN community event will be a mass with Bishop Malesic on Saturday, August 16th at 5:00 PM at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church at 35781 Stevens Blvd. in Eastlake. Faculty, staff and school families are encouraged to attend to celebrate this new chapter in Catholic education.
About the Lake County Catholic School Network (LCCSN):
The Lake County Catholic School Network is a collaborative initiative established to strengthen and sustain Catholic elementary education in Western Lake County, Ohio. Overseeing All Saints School and Mater Dei Academy, the LCCSN provides administrative support in finance, enrollment, development, and facilities, guided by a Board of Directors and Board of Members, while ensuring continuity in school-level leadership.