PALM BEACH GARDENS | Looking back on his nearly 15 years as superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Gary Gelo recalled a meeting in which he reminded school administrators that they are superheroes for the work they do. The principals were even given masks and capes to illustrate their heroic efforts to surpass expectations for Catholic education.
“I think they really do have to be superheroes in those jobs today,” he said. “They’re called to do so many diverse things. For one person to have all those gifts and talents is really challenging, and they really step up to the occasion and rise to what’s needed in those roles.”
Gelo, 68, is set to retire Friday, Feb. 6, from his role in the diocese, handing over his position to Katie Kervi, who is currently assistant superintendent. John Clarke will continue in his role as associate superintendent.
“I feel like I did everything I wanted to accomplish here, and I think we’re well positioned with John and Katie in the office, and with Katie as my successor to move forward and to take all the next steps that need to happen that probably I’m not ready to do,” Gelo said. He plans to return to North Carolina to be nearer to family members, including his father, who will turn 95 in April.
Before coming to the Diocese of Palm Beach, Gelo served as superintendent of schools in the dioceses of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Charleston, South Carolina, was a principal in Greensboro, North Carolina, and a consultant to more than 40 dioceses.
“When I interviewed here, I think one of the things that surprised them, or maybe impressed them is a better word, was that when I did the consulting work, I had worked in over 40 dioceses. I had a huge breadth of experience. Most people don’t have that opportunity,” he said.
The first big project he tackled here was probably his biggest achievement, Gelo said. Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito allowed him to gather clergy, laypeople and community leaders — some not associated with Catholic schools — for a leadership summit on Catholic education. That extensive strategic planning process “provided the direction from 2013 to 2020, and then we did a revised planning process in 2020 that took us to 2025,” he said.
“I think strategic planning for schools is really important, and having some sense of what your vision is of where you want to be and articulating that to the community is really key,” Gelo said. “Hopefully, I brought that, but I also wanted schools to do that on their own. What I’ve tried to do is partner with them and empower them to have their own plans, their own vision, and to do what they need to do.” He credits pastors and principals for leading the way in keeping their buildings updated and schools operating effectively.
Gelo said it has been a blessing to work with local principals, presidents, assistant principals, pastors and diocesan staff at the Pastoral Center in Palm Beach Gardens. “Those friendships and relationships hopefully will last a long time, even after I step out of here and move to North Carolina,” he said, noting that only two principals — Kevin Hoeffner at St. Anastasia and Debbie Armstrong at St. Jude — remain in the positions they held when he started in 2011.
One aspect of his job that he won’t miss is how some in today’s society behave and express themselves with rudeness and a disregard for others. “I think one of the reasons that has played into my decision to retire is that our society in general has just gotten very contentious. I find there’s a lack of civility and a lack of trying to understand other people’s points of view, and it’s just too challenging sometimes to deal with those varied opinions,” Gelo said.
Writing his memoirs in retirement is out of the question, he said with a chuckle. “I think there’s a lot of stories that could be told, but I think they’re better left unsaid, unwritten and unpublished.”
However, he is looking forward to traveling to France, Canada and New England and doing volunteer work. And Gelo hopes to continue indulging his love for baseball. He enjoyed attending spring training games in West Palm Beach for several years. “One of the things that is being taken into consideration as I look for places to move: is there a minor league team or a college team or somewhere that I can go and keep myself entertained?” he said.
Gelo said he leaves with a feeling that local schools are prepared for the future, with strong academics, state scholarships and wonderful campuses near capacity. “From a faith perspective, I think we’ve tried very hard to make sure that we incorporate the faith into really everything that we do in our schools, and that’s the priority.”
For information about Catholic schools in the diocese, visit www.DiocesePBSchools.org and its social media sites.
