A statement issued Monday by St. Patrick Catholic School in Perry said the school’s former principal, Doug Latham, will serve as interim principal while a search committee begins the process to hire a permanent leader.
“Latham is filling in after former principal, Eddie Diaz, left last week,” the statement said. “It is hoped that a new principal will be named within the next month.”
Diaz’s employment with the school ended last Thursday under obscure circumstances. His supporters in the parish and the wider Perry community are circulating petitions they hope will persuade the diocese authorities to rehire Diaz.
“The timing of this transition coincides with the start of a new school year,” said the Rev. Chris Reising, the parish’s priest, “and I know this creates some challenges for our staff. At the same time, I have personally witnessed the dedication and love with which our teachers and staff treat each student and the support they offer each other. St. Patrick Parish is blessed with a very special group of educators who put their students first.”
Tracy Bonday, superintendent of schools for the Des Moines Diocese, said she is “confident that the teachers will continue to work collaboratively with the parents to build a positive learning and faith community that will allow each child to have a successful school year and recognize their God-given talents.”
Latham brings to the position 43 years of experience in education. He began his administrative career at St. Patrick’s School in Perry and also ended it there, serving as principal from 2014-2016. He holds a specialist of education degree in educational administration from Drake University. Latham taught for eight years, including at Creston Catholic, now called St. Malachy, and was an administrator for 30 years, including 13 years as the superintendent of schools in Earlham, Spirit Lake and Orient-Macksburg.
“With the help of Latham, we can together teach, encourage and support our students as we begin the process to bring on board a new principal,” Reising said.
