Principal Doug Latham is retiring (for the second time) after spending the past two seasons at the helm of St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Perry. Latham served St. Pat’s as principal in the 1980s — it was his first administrative post — and he came out of retirement two years ago to help his former school and to make it his last administrative post.
Administration sources said Latham is expected to be replaced by current Perry High School history teach Eddie Diaz, who recently received his master’s degree from Drake University. The Des Moines Diocese will make an official announcement later this week, sources told ThePerryNews.com.
Daisy Diaz, sister of the new principal, will take a teaching position in the third grade at Perry Elementary School in the fall. Her fifth grade spot at St. Patrick’s will be filled by current staffer Tony Cosentino, who will move from his role as middle school math and science instructor, leaving a vacancy that has yet to be filled.
Also moving on is second grade teacher Laurel Englum, who will begin teaching in a parochial school in Omaha in August. A replacement has not yet been named.
The St. Patrick’s student body — minus the seven already-graduated eighth graders — held an assembly Tuesday afternoon in which several class and individual awards were presented.
Earlier on Tuesday, the fifth graders walked several blocks along Lucinda Street, where each student had little trouble filling his/her bag with garbage along the route.
A photo of the seventh graders honored was not available.
Did you like this story? Please support our daily coverage of local news and sports with a one-time donation or a recurring donation of $5 per month.
