For Immediate Release: March 18, 2019

Bishop Barry C. Knestout has appointed Ms. Kelly Lazzara as Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, effective June 17, 2019. Ms. Lazzara will replace the current Superintendent, Ray Honeycutt, who will retire on June 30, 2019.

“I would like to build upon and strengthen the wonderful position we’re already in,” said Ms. Lazzara. “Ray achieved a lot with the centralization of our schools, and I look to continue that philosophy and to grow to best support our students.”

The Diocese of Richmond, a body of over 8,500 total students enrolled in 29 elementary, middle and high schools, became the first diocesan school system in the country to earn accreditation from AdvancED in 2003.

“We are a unified and cohesive group with the same goal in mind, wanting what is truly best for the students of our diocese,” said Ms. Lazzara. “One thing we can continue to work on is being in better and constant touch with all of our schools and making sure we are meeting their individual needs, because the individual schools being strong makes us stronger as a system.”

Lazzara, who has served as Associate Superintendent of School Operations for the diocese since 2017, brings 15 years of Catholic education leadership experience to her new role. She has previously served as principal for Star of the Sea Catholic School in Virginia Beach and in administrative roles in the Catholic dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg.

“I am deeply honored and blessed to serve the families, students and schools of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. I am grateful for the education I have received as a former student and now as an administrator in the Catholic school system. I look forward to working with the many dedicated educators within our diocese to continue building upon the foundation of a strong faith based education for our students,” said Ms. Lazzara.

In her role as Superintendent, Ms. Lazzara is appointed to the Bishop’s Cabinet and will work in partnership with the Diocesan Advisory School Board, a consultative board to the Bishop of Richmond and Superintendent of Schools.

Ms. Lazzara graduated from Gannon University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English and holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from Seton Hill University.