Former Cedar Rapids Police officer is new director of safety, transportation at Xavier Catholic Schools

CEDAR RAPIDS — Lt. Cory McGarvey with the Cedar Rapids Police Department will be the first director of safety and transportation for Xavier Catholic Schools, overseeing emergency preparedness planning, school safety training and crisis management protocols across all campuses.

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McGarvey also will lead the system’s developing transportation program, managing busing, supervising drivers and ensuring compliance with state and federal transportation regulations. McGarvey will assume the role by early October.

The position of director of safety and transportation was shaped through Xavier Catholic Schools’ strategic planning over the past year, according to a news release Friday.

While the majority of McGarvey’s role will be focused on safety, he will consider what the future of transportation could look like for Xavier Catholic Schools, which consolidated eight schools under one system last year.

Today, the schools share four buses and seven vans, mostly used to transport students to and from activities.

McGarvey’s two children graduated from Xavier High School. His wife taught in the Catholic school system and is an alum of LaSalle, which previously was a high school.

“I’m excited to return to the Xavier Catholic Schools community and give back to a system that has given so much to my own family,” McGarvey said. “Our students are our most precious resource for the future, and they deserve schools that are safe, welcoming and free from violence and fear. When our children feel secure, they are able to thrive and become the best versions of themselves.”

McGarvey has more than 30 years of public safety experience and most recently served as school resource officer supervisor, overseeing police officers in schools and helped to develop emergency response plans for schools, implement training that teaches people to escape from an active shooter, and coordinated investigations into school-related threats.

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He worked closely over the last four years with the Cedar Rapids Community School District to reduce disparity in students in the district charged with a crime and reduce the overall number of students charged.

Mike Battien, spokesman for the Cedar Rapids Police Department, said information about the role of school resource officer supervisor will be available later.

In addition to his work in school safety, McGarvey has extensive experience collaborating with community leaders, law enforcement agencies and juvenile justice programs. He served on the Supreme Court of Iowa’s Juvenile Justice Task Force and was instrumental in establishing a juvenile diversion program that reduced recidivism rates through early interventions.

“Cory’s proven leadership, lifelong commitment to community safety and familiarity with Xavier Catholic Schools will greatly strengthen our efforts to further enhance the safety and security of our students, staff, and families. We are blessed to welcome him back to the XCS community, where his expertise will support areas that are key to our system’s growth and vitality,” said Chris McCarville, president of Xavier Catholic Schools.

McGarvey holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminology from the University of Northern Iowa and an Associate of Arts degree from North Iowa Area Community College.

There are more than 2,500 students enrolled at Xavier Catholic Schools, which includes five elementary schools and early centers, two middle schools and one high school.

The announcement of the new role comes after a shooter fired through the windows of a Catholic school during Mass in Minneapolis, Minn., Wednesday morning. Two children were killed in the attack and 18 other people wounded, most of whom are children.

Wednesday, Xavier Catholic Schools sent a newsletter to families about additional safety precautions put in place. Families were asked to assist schools in “maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students” by:

All parishes now are locking their doors whenever students are present for school activities taking place in a church. This measure already had been in place at some parishes.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragedy that occurred earlier today in Minneapolis,” McCarville said in his message to families Wednesday. “Please join us in continued prayer for all those affected. We ask God to bring comfort and strength to the families and communities impacted by this senseless act of violence.

“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” McCarville said. ”To that end, Xavier Catholic Schools takes the following safety and security measures when students are present in our parishes during the school day for events.“

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