Special Announcement from the Rector Concerning Saint Peter's Catholic School

I am thrilled to announce that Mrs. Kylie Skotniski, formerly Director of Learning and more recently, Interim Principal, will be the new principal of Saint Peter’s Catholic School. With Mrs. Skotniski coming on-board, I’m very thankful to also report that ALL teaching positions are filled and the school only had one departure - the lowest turnover in many years. Replacing Mrs. Nutt will be Ms. Linda Boron, a beloved educator who has been primarily a substitute for the past two years.

Mrs. Skotniski brings to Saint Peter’s a great depth of experience having served in many roles during her 19 years in public and now Catholic education. She was a highly regarded classroom teacher with extensive experience in both early childhood and elementary grade levels before moving into administration.  

Throughout her career, she has served in many leadership roles beyond the classroom including School Data Team Facilitator, Instructional Coach, Response to Intervention Specialist, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Coordinator, and Director of Learning.  She is also a sought-after speaker at prominent conferences such as the Palmetto State Literacy Association and South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conferences on many occasions in addition to providing teachers across the state with professional development seminars.

Mrs. Skotniski is an award-winning educator holding such honors as the Columbia Area Reading Council Distinguished Teacher of Reading, WLTX News 19 Educator of the Week (multiple times), Teacher of the Year, and South Carolina’s District Teacher of the Year award.  She also serves as an Intern Supervisor for the University of South Carolina’s College of Education. Thus, it is our hope, USC students may soon complete their student teaching in our school.

As important as her work experience, Mrs. Skotniski is a lifelong Catholic who depends on her faith to guide her through life’s challenges and remind her of the many blessings in her life.  Among these are husband, Rich, and their two children, both students of Saint Peter’s Catholic School that keep her very busy as a dance, baseball, and football mom!  

Mrs. Skotniski will be supported by a strong leadership team consisting of Mrs. Renee Emery, as Director of Admissions and Parent Support, and Mrs. Katie LaBelle who will continue as our third grade teacher while also stepping up to serve as Director of Student Support.  In this new role, Mrs. LaBelle will liaise with parents and children to foster the implementation and evaluation of student discipline, welfare, and educational success.  By having a strong leadership team supporting her, Mrs. Skotniski will be able to focus her efforts on overseeing instruction, curriculum, and faculty development with the goal of ensuring the strong academic and spiritual vitality of Saint Peter’s Catholic School. 

In addition, I’m excited to announce Mrs. Jennifer Gurgigno has been hired to serve as our Educational Advancement Specialist.  In this role, Mrs. Gurgigno will work with struggling as well as advanced students to ensure all are achieving to the best of their ability and remaining academically motivated.

Please join me in praying for all our faculty, staff, administrators, students, and parents so that this ministry of the Basilica to form young children who know and believe in Jesus Christ all the while achieving academic excellence is achieved.

Fr. Gary S. Linsky

The Very Rev. Canon Gary S. Linsky, VF, VP

Rector