Advisory Board
The School Advisory Board provides the leadership to foster an environment that provides underlying Catholic values, long-term strategic planning, and financial stability. This role of the School Advisory Board complements the school’s mission, which is to nurture and foster the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, and social growth of the student through its religious and academic curriculum and extracurricular programs.
Our Principal works interactively with the School Advisory Board to fulfill the School Advisory Board’s responsibilities in the school’s strategic planning, finance, facilities, marketing, and development activities.
Our Principal works interactively with the School Advisory Board to fulfill the School Advisory Board’s responsibilities in the school’s strategic planning, finance, facilities, marketing, and development activities.
Ex-Officio Members
Father Joseph A. Marcello, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish
Father Marcello is an alumnus of St. Catherine of Siena School (Class of 1990) and is the uncle of a current student and of a recent alumna. Following his studies at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Fairfield University, and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Father Marcello was ordained to the priesthood in 2003.
Father Marcello has also served the Diocese of Bridgeport as Vice Chancellor, Vicar for Clergy, Director of Seminarians, secretary of the Presbyteral Council, and on the formation faculty of the diocese’s Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. He currently serves as a member of the Presbyteral Council, the diocese’s Building and Sacred Arts Commission, the Liturgical Commission, and the Vocation Admissions & Advisory Board. His support of the Principal is rooted in the Catholic Identity and Mission of SCSS and ensures a strong relationship between the parish and the school communities.
Michelle Powrie, Principal of St. Catherine of Siena School
Mrs. Powrie brings over 25 years of experience in education, from classroom teaching to school leadership. She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Thomas Aquinas and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University. With a deep commitment to Catholic education, Mrs. Powrie has dedicated her career to fostering environments where academic excellence and faith development go hand in hand.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Powrie has led school communities with a focus on collaboration, open communication, and a student-centered approach. For the decade before joining Saint Catherine of Siena, she served as principal at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Park Ridge, New Jersey, and before that led Saint Paul’s School in Valley Cottage, New York.
Her extensive experience in both administration and early childhood education informs her approach to leading a dynamic, supportive, and faith-filled learning environment. As a mother of twins who graduated from Catholic school, Mrs. Powrie understands the importance of nurturing students’ growth both academically and spiritually, as well as the sacrifice parents make to provide their children with a Catholic education. She remains dedicated to building strong partnerships with faculty, staff, and parents, creating a vibrant school community where every student feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential.
Father Marcello is an alumnus of St. Catherine of Siena School (Class of 1990) and is the uncle of a current student and of a recent alumna. Following his studies at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Fairfield University, and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Father Marcello was ordained to the priesthood in 2003.
Father Marcello has also served the Diocese of Bridgeport as Vice Chancellor, Vicar for Clergy, Director of Seminarians, secretary of the Presbyteral Council, and on the formation faculty of the diocese’s Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. He currently serves as a member of the Presbyteral Council, the diocese’s Building and Sacred Arts Commission, the Liturgical Commission, and the Vocation Admissions & Advisory Board. His support of the Principal is rooted in the Catholic Identity and Mission of SCSS and ensures a strong relationship between the parish and the school communities.
Michelle Powrie, Principal of St. Catherine of Siena School
Mrs. Powrie brings over 25 years of experience in education, from classroom teaching to school leadership. She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Thomas Aquinas and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University. With a deep commitment to Catholic education, Mrs. Powrie has dedicated her career to fostering environments where academic excellence and faith development go hand in hand.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Powrie has led school communities with a focus on collaboration, open communication, and a student-centered approach. For the decade before joining Saint Catherine of Siena, she served as principal at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Park Ridge, New Jersey, and before that led Saint Paul’s School in Valley Cottage, New York.
Her extensive experience in both administration and early childhood education informs her approach to leading a dynamic, supportive, and faith-filled learning environment. As a mother of twins who graduated from Catholic school, Mrs. Powrie understands the importance of nurturing students’ growth both academically and spiritually, as well as the sacrifice parents make to provide their children with a Catholic education. She remains dedicated to building strong partnerships with faculty, staff, and parents, creating a vibrant school community where every student feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential.
Chair of the Board of Directors
Rosario “Ross” Bacarella
Ross has been the President & CEO of BTX Global Logistics, a full-service transportation and logistics organization, for the last 43 years. Ross has spearheaded the growth of BTX from a single terminal in Connecticut to a global organization with over 40 regional offices across the U.S. and Canada. Ross graduated from Nichols College in Massachusetts in 1980 with a B.S. in Marketing and Management. He has held numerous board positions within his industry, and in 2018, he was named top CEO by Hearst Connecticut Media’s Top Workplaces. Ross is married to his college sweetheart, Susan, and they have six children and five grandchildren.
Ross and his family are very involved in giving back to the youth and local community. Ross has coached Trumbull Pop Warner football for 2 decades, mentored young adults, and supported initiatives at St. Joseph High School. In addition to his personal philanthropic efforts, the “BTX Cares” program was established at BTX Global Logistics to mirror Ross and his family’s core belief of giving back to the community through a variety of efforts ranging from monetary donations to the raising of supplies and hands-on volunteering.
Ross’s expertise in business development and deep roots in the local community support the Principal with identifying community resources, securing expertise in board members, and he is committed to the growth and strengthening of SCSS. He is also serving on the Parish Council at St. Catherine of Siena Parish and is actively involved in supporting the efforts between the parish and the school. His children are alumni of SCSS, and currently, he has grandchildren attending the school. Ross is serving as the Chair of the Advisory Board of St. Catherine of Siena School and was appointed by Fr. Joseph Marcello and Bishop Frank Caggiano in 2023.
Ross has been the President & CEO of BTX Global Logistics, a full-service transportation and logistics organization, for the last 43 years. Ross has spearheaded the growth of BTX from a single terminal in Connecticut to a global organization with over 40 regional offices across the U.S. and Canada. Ross graduated from Nichols College in Massachusetts in 1980 with a B.S. in Marketing and Management. He has held numerous board positions within his industry, and in 2018, he was named top CEO by Hearst Connecticut Media’s Top Workplaces. Ross is married to his college sweetheart, Susan, and they have six children and five grandchildren.
Ross and his family are very involved in giving back to the youth and local community. Ross has coached Trumbull Pop Warner football for 2 decades, mentored young adults, and supported initiatives at St. Joseph High School. In addition to his personal philanthropic efforts, the “BTX Cares” program was established at BTX Global Logistics to mirror Ross and his family’s core belief of giving back to the community through a variety of efforts ranging from monetary donations to the raising of supplies and hands-on volunteering.
Ross’s expertise in business development and deep roots in the local community support the Principal with identifying community resources, securing expertise in board members, and he is committed to the growth and strengthening of SCSS. He is also serving on the Parish Council at St. Catherine of Siena Parish and is actively involved in supporting the efforts between the parish and the school. His children are alumni of SCSS, and currently, he has grandchildren attending the school. Ross is serving as the Chair of the Advisory Board of St. Catherine of Siena School and was appointed by Fr. Joseph Marcello and Bishop Frank Caggiano in 2023.