WHEELING, W.Va.—Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, informed officials at the diocese June 15 that he has accepted a new position within the Diocese of Toledo. Schmidt will leave to begin his new position July 31. Msgr. Frederick Annie, V.G., Vicar General for the diocese, said, “we thank Dr. Schmidt for his service to Catholic education in our diocese as well as for his contributions to building up our Catholic school system.” Schmidt served the diocese in his role for six years, making great strides in Catholic education—especially in the areas of curriculum, testing, finances, technology and policy updates. Schmidt also headed a committee resulting in all Catholic schools in the diocese becoming nationally accredited. One of Schmidt’s greatest achievements is the advancement of special needs education within Catholic schools. “I would like to offer my thanks,” Schmidt said, “to the team in the Department of Catholic Schools. Together we made a real mark on the state of education in general, and Catholic education specifically, in the West Virginia. We have laid the foundation to take the schools of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to even higher levels of achievement than even we experienced. The diocese took a chance on me and my vision. For that, I thank them wholeheartedly.” The diocese will begin the process of forming a search committee to identify possible candidates for the position in the coming weeks.