Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Catholic High picks principal

The Rev. John Serio comes from New Jersey, but he's familiar with the bay area, having taught in Tampa in the 1970s.

ST. PETERSBURG - The priest and educator chosen as the new principal at St. Petersburg Catholic High School may be familiar to some longtime Tampa Bay residents.

The Rev. John Serio taught at Mary Help of Christians Catholic School in Tampa in 1976-77.

Currently principal at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, N.J., Serio was selected to replace the Rev. Louis Molinelli, who led St. Petersburg Catholic for six years.

Molinelli, known as Father Lou, has been named director and president of Don Bosco. His new job begins July 1.

Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Serio, 51, joined a youth auxiliary of the Salesian order 30 years ago at the urging of a nun at his parish school. He has been a priest for 22 years.

Before coming to Don Bosco, he was principal at Savio Preparatory High School in East Boston and served as principal and director at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, N.Y.

"I've spent my whole life as a Salesian working with young people, not only in schools but also in summer camps," Serio said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to being there, although I've loved every place I've ever been."

The Rev. Jim Heuser, director of about 200 members of the Salesian order working in schools in the eastern United States, called Serio a "premier educator."

"When he works in a school, he's able to form a real pastoral, educative community where everyone feels united and together," Heuser said from his office in New Rochelle. "He's very gifted in moving a school community forward academically, extracurricularly and spiritually."

Heuser also named Serio director of education, a position similar to superintendent in the public school system. Serio will oversee four additional high schools and a middle school under the direction of the Salesian order. St. Petersburg Catholic, at 6333 Ninth Ave. N, has 667 students.

He said he expects to arrive in St. Petersburg in mid July.