Mary Sue Kosky steps down in order to care for her parents, and Mrs. Hanks will succeed her
Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, announced March 12 that Sacred Heart Cathedral School principal Mary Sue Kosky has decided to step down in order to care for her parents, who are in greater need of support and assistance.
Mary Sue Kosky
“Mrs. Kosky has done an exceptional job with our school. She has a tenderness and love for our parents, staff, and students of Sacred Heart Cathedral School. During her tenure, we have increased enrollment, maintained a balanced budget, renovated our gym, and built a new turf field. More importantly, she has worked tirelessly to allow our Catholic identity to shine forth and continued our vision of ‘making disciples through worship, formation, and service.’
“Guided in her decisions by the Holy Spirit, she has built a strong leadership team with our assistant principals, Mr. Mark Amrein and Mrs. Valerie Hanks, our development director, Elisa Crawford, and our admissions team with Emily Widmer and Clarissa Rojas. She has recruited excellent teachers and staff. I am truly grateful for Mrs. Kosky’s sacrifices to lead our school community; we are stronger because of her leadership,” Father Boettner said.
Mrs. Hanks will succeed Mrs. Kosky this summer.
“I have invited Mrs. Valerie Hanks to step into the role of principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School, and I am excited that she has accepted my invitation,” Father Boettner said. “Mrs. Hanks has been an active leader in the school as a teacher, academic dean, and assistant principal. This is possible because of the succession planning and leadership development that has been a part of our strategic planning. It allows us to develop strong leadership now and for the future. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Valerie Hanks as our new principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School beginning July 1, 2025.”
Mr. Amrein “will continue in his role as assistant principal, and we will begin a search for a new assistant principal to replace the position formerly held by Mrs. Hanks,” Father Boettner said.
The search committee includes Father Boettner, cathedral chief operating officer Mary Mac Wilson, Mrs. Hanks and Mr. Amrein, school-board members Jason Wakley and Bruce Hartmann, and faculty member Michelle Coffman.
Mrs. Kosky’s father is 94, and her mother is 90.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude and mixed emotions that I write to inform you of an upcoming and significant change in my life. At the end of this school year, I will be stepping down as principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School in order to help care for my elderly parents in Florida,” Mrs. Kosky wrote in a letter to the parish community.
“I took on the role of principal at Sacred Heart Cathedral School as a response to a deep, unmistakable call to serve this incredible community, and I have been honored to lead and serve alongside you. I have cherished every moment working with our beloved pastor, parish leadership/staff, preschool administration/staff, school administration, faculty, staff, students, and families that make this school community so special. Though leaving at the end of this school year was not in my original plan, I am blessed and honored to answer the call to be present to my parents in their time of need.”
Mrs. Kosky added that “I want to express my deep appreciation to each of you for your unwavering support during my time here. Sacred Heart Cathedral School is a vibrant, compassionate, and faith-filled community, and I will always carry the memories of the beautiful relationships I have made and the good work we have accomplished together. I know that the school will continue to thrive as it remains a beacon of faith and excellence for the children and families who are fortunate to be part of it. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your principal. It has truly been a privilege.”
Valerie Hanks
Mrs. Hanks also wrote a letter to the Sacred Heart community.
“As I step into the role of principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School, my heart is filled with immense gratitude and humility. Over the past 13 years, I have been blessed to serve this wonderful school in various roles—teacher, academic dean, and assistant principal,” she said. “Each experience has deepened my love for our school and strengthened my commitment to its mission of educating the whole child in a Catholic, Christ-centered environment.
“I am profoundly grateful for God’s guidance in leading me to this moment. His hand has been ever present in my journey, shaping me through the wisdom and example of those who have supported me throughout the years. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Mary Sue Kosky, Father David Boettner, and Mary Mac Wilson for their unwavering leadership, mentorship, and support. Their dedication to SHCS is a true inspiration, and I am honored to continue the work they have so faithfully begun.
“As I embrace this new role, I do so with great excitement and a deep sense of purpose. Our mission at SHCS is more than academic excellence; it is about nurturing the hearts and minds of our students so that they may become the best versions of themselves, rooted in faith, knowledge, and service. Ultimately, our greatest goal is to form disciples of Christ—young men and women who will go out into the world as beacons of His love and truth. I am grateful to be part of such a vibrant, faith-filled community, and I look forward to walking this path together with you—our students, parents, faculty, and staff. With God’s grace and your support, I am confident that Sacred Heart will continue to thrive as a place where faith and learning flourish side by side.
“Thank you for your trust, your prayers, and your partnership. May God bless our school and all who call it home!”