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September 13, 2009

Schools get new associate, assistant superintendents

Dominican Sister M. Paul McCaughey, superintendent of Catholic Schools has named James J. Quaid associate superintendent and Matthew Henry Banach as an assistant superintendent for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic schools. Both have experience as teachers and principals in Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

Dr. James J. Quaid

Quaid comes to the position of associate superintendent following a 21-year career at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, 16 of them as principal. He will oversee professional development, curriculum and legislative advocacy on behalf of more than 93,000 students and 6,000 educators in the 258 Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“Jim Quaid’s strong experience in curriculum, planning, board and leadership development, are acknowledged by both private and public school educators across the state,” said Sister M. Paul.

“I look forward to partnering with him to forward the work of the Archdiocese of Chicago Board to strengthen our schools. His transparency and energy will be immediately felt.”

Matthew Henry Banach

Banach served as principal, assistant principal and teacher at St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic School in Chicago. As assistant superintendent, Banach will provide essential services of the Office of Catholic Schools to 64 elementary schools located in Vicariates III and IV on the West and Northwest sides of Chicago, as well as the western suburbs of Cook County.

This work includes offering direction and support to principals, pastors and other school community members; ensuring school viability and accountability to standards; and overseeing school operations in collaboration with the vicars, Auxiliary Bishops John Manz and Thomas Paprocki, and vicariate administrative consultants.

Of the new assistant superintendent, Sister M. Paul said, “Matt Banach brings a love for our schools, a data-driven sense to decision-making, and a solid work ethic to this challenging role.”

Under Quaid’s leadership as principal, Fenwick increased its number of national merit finalists and raised its average ACT score to position them in the top 100 high schools in the United States. He played an essential role in three capital campaigns that raised $36 million for building, financial assistance, and an endowment.

In addition to his role as principal, he acted as chief operating officer and dean of students, taught U.S. history, and coached varsity track and varsity football at various times during his tenure at the school.

While principal of St. Agnes of Bohemia School, Banach implemented research-based lesson planning, established teacher evaluation, created a development and admissions department, and helped launch a mentoring program for new teachers.

As a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher, Banach utilized the Archdiocese of Chicago’s latest lesson plan design program, expanding it to all grade levels as principal.