By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News:
A new President has been named for Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools. James Tschann, a native of Minnesota with extensive experience in Catholic education in California and Minnesota will start his leadership in the Heelan system by July 1.
For the past eight years, Tschann served as president of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, a coeducational school of 1700 students where he managed final construction of a new school and the physical move to the new building. Cathedral Catholic is renowned for its strong academic and co-curricular programs.
Tschann will succeed Dr. Dan Ryan who has served as interim president of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools this school year following the retirement of Fr. Patrick Walsh, who retired last June. Ryan continues as superintendent of Catholic schools of the Diocese of Sioux City.
"I am grateful for the incredible support I received from parents, board members, teachers and staff this school year," Ryan says. "I look forward to working with Jim Tschann as the new president of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools."
Prior to his position in San Diego, Tschann also served nine years as president of De La Salle High School in Concord Calif., a boys high school of the Christian Brothers of Northern California and several years at San Domenico Catholic School in San Anselmo, Calif.
Before moving to California, Heelan's new president spent 18 years in Catholic education at Convent of the Visitation in St. Paul Minn., a prek-12 girls school system. During his tenure he taught middle school and high school, coached basketball and taught AP History before becoming head of the Upper School.
Tschann received his BA degree in history from the University of Minnesota, an MA in education and an Ed.S degree in school administration from St. Thomas University in St. Paul. He has done graduate work at Carleton College, Harvard University and Oxford University.
