St. Edward HS names new superintendent

A new superintendent and principal was named Wednesday to St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin.

The Rev. David Peck, currently a pastor at St. Patrick's Parish in Rochelle, will replace outgoing superintendent, the Rev. Edward Seisser, next fall.

The change, Seisser said, will allow the school to have a full-time priest as well as a day-to-day school administrator. For the past three years, Seisser has served double duty - as pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Elgin as well as running the school.

Seisser will move to oversee the 450-student high school's board, and continue as pastor of St. Mary's.

"This helps us move forward with our mission," he said. "I'll still be around plenty."

Peck taught and coached from 1981-83, returning as an assistant principal from 1994-98. He will begin his duties as superintendent on July 1, 2009.

The appointment was made directly by Rockford Diocese Bishop Thomas Doran.

Staff and school board members were informed of the decision at a meeting Wednesday.

Parents and students will be told next week via St. Ed's reverse-calling system, Seisser said.