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Effective June 1, Temple Beth Sholom Schools (TBSS) in Sarasota has appointed Wendy Katz its interim director as it launches a national search for a new head of school, TBSS has announced. Kavita Vasil, who has held the position for the past 20 years, is moving to Birmingham, AL, to take a new position and to be closer to family, a news release explains. "I am humbled by the encouragement I have received not only for me personally as I move forward with the next phase of my life, but also for our staff's excitement about this new chapter for TBS Schools," said Vasil in the release. "Dr. Katz's institutional knowledge of our school, the region's education system and our students makes her the perfect choice to step in as I transition out." Over the past 38 years, Katz has served as teacher, principal, mentor and administrator at the K-12 level in the public school system in Sarasota County, the release notes. Among her achievements in the district, she initiated the first school in the county serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Laurel Nokomis in Nokomis, the release says. For eight years, she served as director of lead- ership development for the Sarasota County Schools, and for five years, she was a con- sultant to multiple independent schools, the release notes. "I am thrilled to have been considered for this important position," said Katz in the release. "During this transition, as we continue our search for a permanent director of TBSS, I look forward to working collaboratively with our talented team of teachers and staff to cultivate and offer dynamic and responsive programming." She added in the release, "I strongly encourage parent participation and interaction as we introduce changes that will uphold and support the academic excellence and supportive learning environment that has distinguished TBSS as a premier educational institution." Vasil will stay on as director through the rest of the school year, which ends in May, the release points out. Temple Beth Sholom Schools is an indepen- dent private, all faiths day school affiliated with Temple Beth Sholom; its students are from Sarasota and Manatee counties, the release adds. TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM SCHOOLS APPOINTS KATZ AS INTERIM DIRECTOR Dr. Wendy Katz/Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 117