At the start of this school year, Julie Roberts will take the helm of St. Francis School, a kindergarten to eighth-grade Catholic school on Bend’s northeast side, with unique qualifications: 28 years as a St. Francis teacher, an alumna of St. Francis, and four daughters who are also alumnae.

“I call myself a fossil,” Roberts said.

Within the St. Francis school community, which is entering its 83rd year, Roberts, 51, is an institution — there is a room dedicated to her in the former St. Francis school building, which was converted into a McMenamins restaurant and pub in 2004.

It was only in April that Roberts had any idea she would be leading the school to which she has devoted her life. In fact, Roberts said there was a time last school year when she wondered if she would continue working there at all.

The idea of hiring Roberts to lead St. Francis occurred to Superintendent Roger Richmond in the middle of last school year, when the last principal resigned. Richmond said the need for “calmness and trust” made Roberts the most qualified successor, despite her lack of official credentials. He recommended Roberts to the Rev. Joseph Reinig, who has final say over hiring decisions.

“The beauty about Julie is that she’s been in that school 28 years,” Richmond said.

“Very often the experts are sitting in your own classrooms.”

Roberts said she was surprised when she was approached about the job, and that it was a tough decision. In addition to the added responsibility, she will have to earn a master’s in administration and leadership, which she said could take up to two or three years. Until then, her official title will be “principal-in-training” and she will work closely with Richmond.

After weighing the decision, Roberts realized it was the right time for a career transition. And, she said, she felt called to the job.

“I still value so much this school, the teachers here, spirituality. And I want to see it continue,” Roberts said. “Sometimes you have to step up to the plate to make that happen.”

Reinig hired the last principal, David Stone, before the 2006-07 school year. Throughout the year, the school’s teaching staff and enrollment both declined — 18 of the school’s 30 teachers resigned, and enrollment bottomed out at about 140, down from about 330.

“We were very sad for our school, to see it at that point,” Roberts said.

But then enrollment started to creep back up, and with Roberts’ appointment, it now stands at 260. Reinig said the school aims to gradually increase its enrollment to 400. The teaching staff is now at 25, which Roberts said is where it will stay for this school year.

“It was very reassuring for myself as well as for the staff to know that we’re not having to start all over again with someone new,” Roberts said. “We already know what we want, what we need to have.”

Kathy Fleck, whose two children are entering third and first grade at St. Francis this year, said she considered other schools last year. Although she was leaning toward staying with St. Francis, her decision was sealed when Roberts was hired.

“Her longevity and integrity certainly appealed to me,” she said.

Stacey Fondiller’s son is entering fourth grade at St. Francis, and she said Roberts taking the helm is important, although she never considered withdrawing her children from the school.

“For me personally, there is a very positive feel and a sense of security,” Fondiller said. “I feel there will be a wonderful camaraderie among the teachers.”

Roberts conceded that she is nervous about the upcoming year. She will not be able to make everyone happy, she said, no matter how much she wants to.

“We are a great school and we want to continue to move forward, grow our enrollment, and continue making ourselves a truly rich Catholic school,” Roberts said.

Roberts said she will miss her students but looks forward to fuller involvement in the school.

“I want to be part of the whole school now, not just with my little kindergartners. I want to reach out and get to know all the kids, be involved in what they’re taking part (in),” Roberts said.

At the same time, the nearly three decades Roberts spent as a teacher will influence her management style. “Allowing teachers to just teach” will be her approach to supervising those who were her peers for so long.

Reinig said hiring Roberts was “a huge weight off my back.”

“God always calls us to what He wants us to do,” Reinig said, “but sometimes He has to shout.”

Reinig added: “With our recent turmoil, God was shouting at Julie.”

JULIE ROBERTS

Age: 51

Background: Born in Portland, moved to Bend at age 8.

Education: Attended St. Francis School; graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in teaching

Experience: Began teaching at St. Francis School in 1979