June 10, 2025

St. Agnes Academy appoints new principal, vice principal

REGIONAL
By Michael Pedro

DALTON – St. Agnes Academy will welcome a new principal and vice principal for the 2025-2026 academic year. The school board announced the appointment of Paula Curti, of Dalton, as principal and Joseph Maffuccio, of Pittsfield, as vice principal. Curti will replace Fadia Makdisi, who is leaving St. Agnes Academy, due to personal reasons. Makdisi served as principal since 2019.

“I am thrilled to assume this leadership role at St. Agnes and continue working with my colleagues – a highly experienced group of educators, whose energy and commitment to faith, life learning, and academic excellence is boundless,” said Curti. “I look forward to building on the countless contributions left by Fadia Makdisi and exploring new ways to expand the St. Agnes mission,” she said.

Curti has served in Catholic schools since 2000, teaching for eight years at St. Cecilia’s School in Pawtucket, R.I., before taking time off to raise her children. She has been teaching grade five at St. Agnes Academy since 2021. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from Rhode Island College. Curti and her husband have three daughters.

Maffuccio served as a math teacher in the Pittsfield public school system for 18 years. In 2023, he came out of retirement to join the St. Agnes community teaching middle school math. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and psychology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and a master’s degree in education from Fitchburg State University. He holds a certificate of advanced graduate studies in School Administration from AIC in Springfield. Maffuccio is married and has two grown children and three grandchildren.

Father Christopher Malatesta, the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Dalton and newly appointed vicar general for the Diocese of Springfield, was part of the search committee.

“We are confident we have the perfect candidates in Paula and Joe who will bring a high level of energy and commitment to our church and academy and work well with all stakeholders including teachers, parents, parish community, and students,” said Malatesta. “Under their leadership, we will continue to seek new and creative ways to boost enrollment, secure a strong financial base, and grow in the years to come.”

Father Malatesta also praised Makdisi’s leadership for the last six years stating, “She successfully navigated our school through a historic pandemic and was a forceful and committed advocate for our school; we are deeply indebted for her inspiring service and dedication.”

A national search was conducted to select the new leadership team.

“I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Fadia Makdisi for her dedicated and faith-filled leadership at St. Agnes Academy. We warmly welcome Mrs. Paula Curti as principal and Mr. Joe Maffucio as vice principal,” said Maria Wagner, the superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Springfield.

“Together, they bring a strong blend of experience in both the St. Agnes community and middle school leadership. I’m confident this new team will continue to foster a vibrant, Catholic, mission-driven learning environment at St. Agnes,” Wagner added.

St. Agnes Academy, founded in 1957, currently has an enrollment of 145 students in pre-school through grade eight.