A search committee is responsible for reviewing applications, interviews, and engagement of candidates as well as recommending a finalist to the Board of Directors and Superintendent of Catholic Schools. Please see the anticipated timeline above.

The Presidential Search Committee will make a recommendation to the Catholic Central Board of Directors who ratifies the selection of a final candidate. Following ratification by the board, the candidate will meet with the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and the Bishop of Grand Rapids. An offer will be extended pending the approval of the superintendent and the bishop.

Deacon Lawrence Duthler is the chair of the Presidential Search Committee. He can be reached at lduthler@basilicagr.org.

Terry Tyrrell will remain president through the end of the 2024-25 school year. He is committed to ensuring a strong finish in his last year as president and in assisting with the transition of leadership. With a new president set to be named before the 2025-26 school year, we foresee no difficulties that will impact the current academic calendar.

Although it is challenging for any organization to lose an effective leader, this provides a renewed opportunity for the school. Terry is a valued leader of this school. With his anticipated transition, we need to seek out who God has prepared to bring the school into the next phase of its mission.

Terry and his administrative team continue to be responsible for admissions and enrollment; however, sharing the good news about Catholic Central High School is not the job of a single person or department – it is up to all of us. We invite you to join us in this mission.

The Search Committee includes representatives from a broad range of people from the Catholic Central community, including the school’s board, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, donors, and clergy. The committee is responsible for reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and recommending a final candidate to the full board.

The search began in September 2024 with the goal of making a final offer by the end of December 2024.

In addition to the appropriate professional qualifications, the school is looking for a candidate who embodies the values of the Catholic faith and has a vision for advancing Catholic Central’s mission. Desired characteristics include a strong Catholic faith, leadership, financial acumen, commitment to academic excellence, and the ability to build relationships with students, families, faculty, and the broader community.

Interested candidates can apply online at: https://grdiocese.org/jobs/president-chief-executive-officer/

Candidates should submit a formal application, including a cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation. Specific instructions are provided in the job posting.

The president oversees the strategic direction of the school, including academic programs, financial management, fundraising, and community outreach. The president works closely with the school’s principal, Board of Directors, the diocesan superintendent, and the diocese to ensure that the school fulfills its Catholic mission while achieving operational and educational goals.

While both roles are leadership positions, the president focuses on long-term strategy, financial sustainability, fundraising, and external relations, while the principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school’s educational programs, faculty, and student life.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their experience in educational leadership, understanding of Catholic identity and mission, operational vitality and management skills, ability to fundraise, and their vision for the school’s future. Interviews, reference checks, and assessments of past leadership accomplishments are part of the evaluation process.

Yes, the search process is confidential to protect both the candidates and the integrity of the process. Candidates’ identities are kept private until a finalist has been selected or a formal offer has been made.

The search committee will assess the candidate’s understanding of and commitment to Catholic teachings and values, including their experience in Catholic education or faith-based leadership. The candidate’s ability to nurture a Catholic community and promote Catholic identity within the school is a critical factor in the selection.

The search committee will conduct surveys, host listening sessions, and seek input on the qualities the community would like to see in its new president. This input helped shape the search profile and will inform interview questions to ensure the candidate reflects the needs and values of the Catholic Central community. Please watch our offical LinkedIn account for further updates.

If the search process takes longer than anticipated, the school may extend the timeline to ensure that the best candidate is selected.

Dave Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools, is active throughout the search process. A candidate will be recommended to Bishop Walkowiak who has final discretion in making the appointment of the president.

It is a national search. The position is open to all candidates.

No, this search is being handled conducted by a volunteer Presidential Search Committee assembled by the Catholic Central Board of Directors in collaboration with Dave Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools.

First, we ask the community to support the process in prayer. The search committee has been asked to say a Memorae daily dedicated to the search, and we welcome everyone to join us.