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About

Our Mission

Rooted in Catholic tradition, Bishop Verot educates the minds and hearts of all students in an innovative and community-centered learning environment, preparing them for lives of faithful service to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Our Philosophy

Bishop Verot High School is a Catholic community of learning for young men and women sponsored by the Diocese of Venice supported by parents and the priests and people of 22 Roman Catholic parishes in the Deanery. The philosophy of Bishop Verot identifies a religious purpose and an academic purpose. Both are interrelated. We believe that the Christian commitment in service to God and neighbor is engendered by fostering the students' understanding of and respect for truth, which is evidenced in the teaching of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church, and by upholding democratic values in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  The spirit of our patron, Saint Francis de Sales, in which our apostolate is carried out, is noted especially for the Christian values of charity, gentleness, and respect for the dignity, freedom, and uniqueness of each student, who is created in God’s image and blessed with gifts and talents that are to be nurtured and developed.

Therefore, education is understood by its very nature to be a spiritual activity.  The learning, growth, and development that result bring each person closer to reaching their God-given potential as human beings. The essential condition for learning is the purposeful activity, the willingness to work.  Learning is not a gift freely given, but an objective that the learner must pursue.  The faculty and staff of Bishop Verot, while recognizing the primary role of parents in the total educative process, see as their function one of instructing, motivating, directing and assisting young students through the learning process to reach their fullest Christian human potential within a favorable learning environment.

Schools are for learning. Every program we offer, whether curricular or co-curricular, holds the promise and potential for student growth. Our students are expected to learn useful knowledge and related intellectual skills. Bishop Verot admits students who are able to take advantage of the programs we offer, and who desire to meet their responsibilities as members of the student body within the context of a community of faith.  We will cooperate with each student in identifying and developing his/her particular talents and in enabling each student to achieve a full life as a mature Christian and member of the human community.

In fulfilling our educational mission, we are concerned for the spiritual, intellectual, moral, physical, and social development of each student.  By these efforts, we attempt to maintain standards of excellence in every school program in preparing students to meet the challenges of living a Christian life in the modern world.

  • Bishop Verot High School is a Catholic faith community of learning, consisting of students, teachers, administrators, and staff, as well as parents, alumni, and benefactors, all sharing in the responsibility of advancing the mission of the school.
  • Each person is created in God’s image, and therefore an atmosphere of mutual respect between students, faculty, and staff is vital to school life and the learning process.
  • The faculty, staff, and administration of Bishop Verot strive to continue the tradition of academic excellence that is a hallmark of Catholic education.
  • In addition to valuing academic achievement and co-curricular success, a fundamental priority of Bishop Verot is to challenge students to develop character and leadership skills and promote personal and spiritual growth.
  • Students are most effectively challenged to reach their potential when the spiritual, social, emotional, and academic needs of each individual are recognized as unique.
  • The Catholic mission and identity of Bishop Verot is cherished and valued while at the same time is respecting of the cultural and religious diversity within our community.
  • A welcoming, safe, and comfortable school environment promotes student learning.
  • The ultimate goal of an education at Bishop Verot is for students to be committed to lifelong growth and learning, inspired by faith to give of themselves for the betterment of others.

School Board

The School Board consists of parents and community leaders dedicated to advising the Principal on matters pertaining to school policy and planning for the continued growth and success of Bishop Verot Catholic High School.  Articles II and III of the Constitution and By-Laws of the School Board, detailing the purpose and duties of the Board, appear below. Currently, there are eleven members of the Board that meet once a month for two hours. In addition, members serve on committees that support and advise the Principal and school administrators on matters such as finance, facilities, development, staff relations, curriculum, and other areas of concern.

The Bishop Verot School Board is advisory in nature, playing a vital role in school affairs by contributing valuable experience and expertise.  Board members work to create and update a five-year strategic plan for Bishop Verot, assist in creating and approving the annual budget and tuition structure, participate in completing a comprehensive site plan for school facilities improvements, evaluated student admissions and retention strategies, and recognize teachers and staff members for excellence.  School Board planning efforts complement the daily work of the faculty and staff by lending experience in matters such as accounting, law, local civic affairs, marketing, fundraising, construction, public relations, planning, and other skills and competencies that assist the entire school community. 

Board members are not involved in the day-to-day work of running Bishop Verot High School beyond their contributions to school policy and strategic planning.  Specific concerns or questions regarding teachers and coaches, course or graduation requirements, admissions decisions, school calendar and schedules, disciplinary matters, and other day-to-day realities should be directed toward the appropriate school administrator and not to Board members.

EXCERPTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article II: Purpose

The School Board, whose authority is derived from the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, is called into being by the local school Principal and given its mission to provide quality Catholic education for all students whose parents desire to take advantage of such an opportunity.

Article III: Duties

The School Board serves as an advisory council to the Principal.  Its specific areas of responsibility include:

  • Making specific policy proposals to the Administration.
  • Reacting to policy proposals initiated by the Administration.
  • Assisting in finances (budget, salary scale, tuition).
  • Recruiting students.
  • Planning and implementing public relations programs.
  • Demonstrating support for the educational program and policies of the diocese and the school.
  • Reflecting major concerns of parents.
  • Reporting valid concerns/procedures/proposals of the Board to parents.
  • Call for an evaluation by qualified persons concerning the extent and effectiveness of policy.

Areas of responsibility beyond the role of the School Board include:

  • Hiring and terminating school personnel.
  • Final curriculum design and development.
  • Evaluation and supervision of teachers.
  • Final policy decisions.

Meet the School Board

The Bishop Verot School Board is comprised of current and past parents, alumni, and community leaders brining years of person, professional, and educational experience to this advisory board. The School Board works with administration, specifically the Principal, in an advisory role on matters pertaining to school policy and planning for the continued growth and success of Bishop Verot. In addition to the School Board responsibilities, some of the members also serve on area-specific committees including the Finance Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, Development Committee and the Marketing Committee. 

School Board Members

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Dr. Judi Hughes | Chairperson
Dr. Judi Hughes | Chairperson

Dr. Judi Hughes has been a resident of Lee County since 1964, and is the mother of two Bishop Verot Alumni, W. Charles Hughes (1994) and Mark Christopher Hughes (1997). She has received degrees from Saint Petersburg Junior College - (AD) NSG and General ED., University Of Florida (BA), University of South Florida - (MA and SPEC) Curriculum and Supervision, and NOVA University - (Doctorate ) Education. She is designated as a Distinguished Educator through the University of Florida. Dr. Hughes was employed by the Lee County School District for 45 years in the positions of teacher, administrator/principal (where she received National School Recognition) and Director.  From June 2014 to June 2019, Dr. Hughes served as Principal of St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral, during which time she rejuvenated curricular and instructional technology, and introduced the school and diocese to the STREAM initiative. 

Dr. Hughes joined the BVHS Board in 2019, and is presently serving as Chair. In addition, she serves the Diocese of Venice as a member of the Finance Council for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, as well as Chair of the Diocesan Review Committee in Venice.  Dr. Hughes also serves the community as a member of the Edison Pageant of Light, Member of the Woman’s Community Club, Past President of FGCU Town and Gown, and is the current T&G/FGCU Scholarship Committee Chair.

Bill Stejskal '71 | School Board Vice Chairperson
Bill Stejskal '71 | School Board Vice Chairperson

Bill Stejskal '71 (Vice Chair) comes from a growing line of Bishop Verot Vikings.  He and his wife, Candi, are both graduates of the Class of '71.  His son, Barrett, is a graduate of the Class of '98, and his daughter, Kate, of the Class of '02.  His oldest grandson, Trenton, is a junior and second oldest grandchild, Magnusson, is a freshman.  There are two more grandchildren in the pipeline, Gavin and Allyson, both currently at St. Francis Xavier School.

For 32 years, Bill was blessed to have worked at Verot in a variety of roles, the last as Assistant Principal for Administration. He retired in 2017 and joined the School Board in 2019. He presently is the School Board Vice Chairman.

Lisa Muench | Secretary
Lisa Muench | Secretary

Lisa Muench (Secretary) is serving her third year on the Bishop Verot Board of Directors. She is currently on the Executive Board as Secretary and the chair of the Curriculum and Academic Affairs committee. In the past, she served as a member of the Marketing committee. Lisa was a parent liasion member of the Accreditation Process and the Strategic Planning team here at Verot. Her son and daughter are both BVHS graduates and her youngest son attends  St. Francis. She received her Education degree from the University of Central Florida and has served on several boards throughout our community. Lisa is proud to be a member of the Bishop Verot Board and looks forward to contributing her time and knowledge for many years to come.

Monica (Gargano) Hartman '08 | Member
Monica (Gargano) Hartman '08 | Member

Monica (Gargano) Hartman '08 is serving her sixth and final year on the Bishop Verot School Board and serves as School Board Secretary. She also initiated and leads activities for the Bishop Verot Alumni Association. Monica received her BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida, and her Masters in Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. Over the past eleven years, she has worked at Gartner, a global research and advisory firm. She is currently the Senior Director of Sales & Operations for Gartner’s Global Sales Channel.

Frank Aloia | Member
Frank Aloia | Member

Frank Aloia is a third-generation native of Fort Myers, and is a senior partner of Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC. Prior to his civil practice, he served as an Assistant State Attorney from 1996 to 1998. He has been practicing law in his hometown of Fort Myers since his admission to the Florida Bar in 1996.

An active participant in the community, Mr. Aloia serves as the President of Fiddlesticks Country Club, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Bobby Nichols-Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation.  Mr. Aloia is also the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Winter Estates, Inc., having served on the Board of Directors since its inception. He is also a former member of the Edison-Ford Winter Estates Foundation. He is an active parishioner at The Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church. In addition to Mr. Aloia's service on the School Board for Bishop Verot High School, he also is on the Advisory Board for St. Francis Xavier School.  Professionally, he is member of the Lee County Bar Association, and a past member of the Attorney's Title Fund Services Circuit Advisory Council, and the Calusa Inn of Court. 

Kevin Pfleger | Member
Kevin Pfleger | Member

Kevin Pfleger moved to the Fort Myers area in 2007 with his wife, Mindy, and two young daughters.  After living and working in Naples for 12 years, and then moving to Memphis, Tennessee, they were eager to return to beautiful Southwest Florida to raise their children here.  Kevin began working as a Portfolio Manager for a trust company and is currently the Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Busey Wealth Management in Fort Myers.
 
Kevin has served on the BV advisory board for the past two years and also serves on the Finance Committee.  He is parishioner of St Cecilia Catholic Church.  His wife, Mindy is a teacher at nearby St Francis Xavier Catholic School and Kevin also serves on the Finance Committee there.  Their children currently attend BV (senior and sophomore) and both graduated from St Francis Xavier.
 
Kevin also serves as a committee member for the United Way for the past five years.  Previously, Kevin served on the Advisory Board of the Skye Family YMCA in Fort Myers and was President of the 5th Avenue South Merchants Association in Naples.  In their spare time, Kevin and his family like to spend time traveling, especially to North Carolina.

Eric Baxmann | Member
Eric Baxmann | Member

Eric Baxmann and his wife, Patti, moved to Fort Myers from the Detroit area in 1998 as he started his career in dentistry and together they started a family. All four of his children have graduated from St. Francis Xavier and attended Bishop Verot. Alivia, Class of ’18, Carter, Class of ’20, and Lucy, Class of ’22 are graduates, while the youngest, Brody, is presently a member of the Class of 2027.

Dr. Baxmann opened his own dental practice in 2001. He has always been active in organized dentistry as a member of the American Dental Association and its local affiliate, the Lee County Dental Society.

Eric is honored to serve on the school board and excited to give back to the Verot community which has done so much for his family.

Fr. Robert Tatman | Member
Fr. Robert Tatman | Member

Fr. Robert Tatman was born in Champaign, Illinois, to the late Nancy and Robert L. Tatman Sr., and has three siblings, Debra, Daniel and Susan. He attended St. Thomas University in Miami; Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York.

He was ordained as a priest on October 25th, 2004 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, and currently is assigned as Parochial Vicar to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Before coming to the Diocese of Venice, he was a monk and member of the religious Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) for over five years.

Accreditation - 2022

Bishop Verot Catholic High School is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and Cognia.