St. Thomas More Catholic High School will move to a president/principal leadership model, effective July 1.

Richard Lavergne will be the school’s president. Kelley Leger will serve as principal.

Currently, Lavergne is the STM principal, while Leger is the assistant principal of administration.

According to STM, the model is common in Catholic schools across the country. The president focuses on Catholic identity, community relations, strategic planning and business matters. The principal works under the president and focuses on Catholic faith formation, academic growth, teaching, learning and best practices.

“The president/principal format for St. Thomas More will be a more practiced way to run the school and to ensure efficiency and continued excellence,” the school said in a news release. “The possibility of changing to this new format was discussed a few years ago when Mr. Lavergne was hired, but it was decided that it was not the opportune time to make such a change.”

The operations and tradition of STM will remain unchanged, the school said.

“This change in our model of governance provides consistency in leadership and will continue to foster our school mission, while allowing greater focus on our school and community as a whole,” the release said. “It is also important to note that this change will have no effect on the school’s fiscal budget.”

Prior to joining STM, Lavergne spent 20 years as a teacher and coach. He has been an assistant principal at two schools, principal of three schools, assistant superintendent in Caddo Parish and superintendent in St. Martin Parish.

Leger has been in education for 25 years ago and has been with STM for 20 years, according to the school website. She has taught chemistry and physics, and served as curriculum integration specialist and director of academics prior to her role as assistant principal.