Dialog reporter
Richard A. Bayhan currently heads N.J. Catholic high school
Bishop Malooly has named Richard A. Bayhan the next principal at St. Mark’s High School, effective July 1. He will succeed Carol Ripken, who has been principal since June 2012.
Bayhan is currently principal at St. Mary High School in Rutherford, N.J. He has been a high school principal since 1992, according to St. Mark’s. A release from the school also said Bayhan’s selection was based on his “commitment to the Catholic faith, strong connections with students, proven results in … academics and advancement, excellent communication skills, a strong community service presence, and having a clear and innovative vision for the future of the school.”
“Mr. Bayhan’s proven ability to lead flourishing Catholic high schools spiritually, academically and fiscally make him the ideal new leader for St. Mark’s High School,” said Lou De Angelo, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Wilmington.
Bayhan said via email that during his few visits to St. Mark’s, he felt a strong sense of community and pride. He found a lot of people who have “great respect” for the school.
“I’d like to bring my experience and expertise to the school so we can take this already-great school and make it the model Catholic high school in Delaware for the students, parents, faculty, and all who care about quality Catholic education. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a school like St. Mark’s?” he wrote.
Ripken will return to the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools as associate superintendent, a position she had held since 2009. Prior to that, Ripken had been a principal and associate superintendent in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
She said she has spoken with Bayhan several times and is confident this will be a smooth transition.
“I am very excited to work with Rick to help him in his move to St. Mark’s and to continue working with him when I resume my role as associate superintendent,” she said.
Bishop Malooly called Bayhan, who will be St. Mark’s seventh principal, “a man of faith, knowledge and service.”
Before becoming a principal, Bayhan was an assistant principal for curriculum and instruction. He began his career as a biology and chemistry teacher, a position he held for nine years. His background includes opening a new school, building enrollment and increasing academic rigor, St. Mark’s said.
St. Mark’s opened in the fall of 1969 and is the only diocesan high school in New Castle County.
