Joseph French named new president of Stark County Catholic Schools

• French is former CEO of Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health.
• French is succeeding Rev. Donald King.
• The Louisville native is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi in Canton.

Joseph French has been appointed president of Stark County Catholic Schools.

French replaces the Rev. Donald King, who has held the position since 2022. Bishop David Bonnar, head of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, made the announcement.

Most recently, French was CEO of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in StarkCounty.

The native of Louisville earned a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in elementary education and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Ashland University.

Last year, French was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Kent State University at Stark.

He is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Canton.

As president of Stark County Catholic Schools, French will oversee Central Catholic High School in Canton and St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Louisville.

“It is truly a blessing to join the Stark County Catholic Schools team," he said in a statement. "I am thrilled to be able to serve in a role that combines my passion for our community, youth and faith. I am dedicated to making sure our youngest citizens have a quality education with an emphasis on servant leadership.

His first day will be July 8.