Kuemper names new superintendent

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
June 19, 2003

CARROLL - With the consolidation of the Catholic schools in the Carroll-area, the Kuemper Catholic School System has recently hired its first lay superintendent.

"Dr. Tacheny brings 25 years of experience in Catholic education with that he has been everything from a teacher to a guidance counselor to a development director to a principal to a superintendent," said Father Craig Collison, who was recently reassigned from president of Kuemper Catholic Schools to pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Sioux City. "He has covered the gamut of positions within a Catholic school and Catholic education and with that experience he brings to us, I think, that complete package that we need as our first lay superintendent at Kuemper Catholic Schools."

Dr. Thomas Tacheny was hired in April and will officially assume his position on July 1.

"I'm really excited about it," said Tacheny. "I find it to be a really exceptional school system. I find that the people there are really wonderful and the program seems to be top notch. After the unification process, it looks like it is going to be an exciting place to build and grow."

Tacheny previously served as assistant principal, principal and then as superintendent of Mankato Area Catholic Schools, Mankato, Minn., over a period of 11 years during the consolidation of their school. He was also principal of Nerinx Hall Catholic School in St. Louis, Mo. for eight years. He was an English teacher, guidance counselor and assistant principal at McBride Catholic High School in St. Louis for four years.

"First off, we want to make sure that the unification process that has begun or has taken place runs smoothly," said Tacheny. "Since we are just starting with it, that will mean I will have to try to bring the system together to make sure everyone feels like they are part of it. For the 13 parishes involved, most of which are outside of Carroll, it will be important to make them continue to feel like they are part of the system.

"I think the academic program will not be a problem because we have four wonderful principals and they have been working hard already to make sure that the program comes together and that we can synchronize that. The second thing is to make sure that we have some proper funding vehicles there to help with tuition."

Other things he would like to do are help the marketing team to define a consistent image for the unified schools and to expand an effective recruiting process to build enrollment. Tacheny would also like to work with the new school board and the foundation board to map out a successful future for the Kuemper system.

Tacheny and his wife, Jolee, have been married for 32 and have three adult sons. The educator is also a professional musician. He played trombone in the U.S. Navy band, plays bass in a jazz trio and also plays piano and organ.

"I am especially interested with his abilities with development," said Father Collison. "He has fulfilled those duties very well in other dioceses especially in Minnesota, specifically in the Mankato area. I think he brings a total package that we need of commitment of an individual who sees this superintendency as a ministry and not just an educational position to be filled, but one in which he will join with everyone else here in leading the new Kuemper Catholic School System."