The Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo announced on March 12 the appointment of Reverend John Fleckenstein as part-time interim president. The appointment is effective immediately and will continue until September 1, 2026, while a search is underway for a full-time permanent president.
This leadership change comes during a period of transition for the organization. The CSGK Members, with the agreement of Bishop Edward M. Lohse, made the decision to appoint Father Fleckenstein to help guide daily operations and management on a part-time basis. He will also assist in facilitating the transition to a new governance structure.
Father Fleckenstein will maintain his other roles as pastor and Episcopal Delegate for Christian Formation while serving as interim president. In addition to his duties at CSGK, he will gain experience that he can bring back to a recently formed task force focused on developing a strategic vision and long-term plan for Catholic school education in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area.
Both CSGK and the task force are expected to benefit from Father Fleckenstein’s dual involvement during this interim period. The Diocese of Kalamazoo covers nine counties in southwestern Michigan: Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch, according to the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
The search for a permanent president continues as CSGK works through its organizational changes.