Search Committee to guide superintendent hiring process in diocese

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

The search is on for a new superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City to lead the 14 Catholic school systems serving nearly 6,300 students.

According to Juli Singer, diocesan director of human resources, Bishop John E. Keehner appointed a Search Committee to assist with this process and also enlisted the help of a recruiter, Grundmeyer Leadership Services (GLS).
Singer
“They are an Iowa-based company that specializes in helping Iowa School Districts hire superintendents, principals, athletic directors and school business officials,” explained Singer.

The Search Committee, she noted, will work closely with the recruiter reviewing applications and recommending the top candidates to the bishop.

The committee is made up of a balance between diocesan chancery staff and educators from throughout the diocese.

The Search Committee members include: Jeff Arens of Le Mars, a member of the Diocesan School Board; Sara Bormann, principal of St. Mary School in Humboldt; Tyler Horkey, principal of Sacred Heart School in Spencer; Father Brent Lingle, president of St. Mary School in Storm Lake; Deacon Mark Prosser, diocesan chief of staff and chancellor; Royce Ranniger, diocesan director of administration and finance as well as Singer of the Office of Human Resources.

The Search Committee for the new diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools meets with representatives of Grundmeyer Leadership Services (GLS).The primary purpose of the superintendent, noted Singer, is to oversee all aspects of leadership for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City and to ensure a learning environment that provides and fosters a quality academic program within a Catholic environment.

“The superintendent drives Catholic education and Catholic identity in our diocese,” said Singer.

As a principal of an elementary school, Horkey said for him it will be important for the candidate to be invested in and support all of the schools – “even the schools that are farther out and smaller.”

Acknowledging there is a challenge with the size of the diocese, he said, ideally the support would be felt not only by administrators but teachers, students and school families – “through thick and thin.”

“It’s giving you advice when needed and talking you off the ledge when you also need it,” the principal quipped. With that in mind, it is important to find someone who is not only invested, “but really wants to be a part of it.”

A Search Committee meeting was held March 9.In addition, Horkey stressed a strong belief in Catholic education is a given because they will be collaborators with Catholic administrators and teachers in forming disciples of Jesus.

“Someone deeply engrained in their faith is huge because role models are huge,” said the Sacred Heart principal. “If we see a leader in our diocese believing in what we believe and what our mission and outcome is for the schools then it is easy to follow.”

Arens said it is important to find the right person for this position as the individual will be working across the diocese, “trying to keep all diocesan schools unified on their policies and procedures.”

Among the key qualities the candidate must possess for this position he said are great communication skills – both in-person and via technology – and a strong Catholic foundation.

“The superintendent is also responsible for the implementation of the goals and objectives of the bishop and the Catholic Schools Office in each school of the diocese,” said Singer. “We are looking for someone with a strong Catholic faith and great leadership skills to lead our schools into the future.”

Candidates for this position must be a Catholic in good standing with an educational specialist or Ph.D. degree, five or more years of teaching experience with administrator experience in education and must have or qualify for the State of Iowa Certification, including administrator’s evaluation credentials.

Additional qualifications include but are not limited to proven leadership, organizational and collaborative skills, demonstrated ability to implement processes and strong communication skills.

“The goal of the Search Committee is to have this position filled by July 1, 2026,” said Singer.