Posted on Jun 21, 2011

STM Announces New Board of Trustees

The High School of Saint Thomas More, a high school conducted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria, has announced a new Board of Trustees to serve during the 2011-2012 academic year.

Transition to this new Board of Trustees is the result of a recommendation of the two-year strategic planning initiative of the Diocese of Peoria for its Catholic schools conducted by Meitler Consultants, Inc., of Hales Corners, Wisconsin. The study recommended this new structure to enhance the involvement of the local Catholic community in the school and to invest more authority and responsibility in local governance. Under the newly adopted governance structure, the Board of trustees will have greater jurisdiction in policy decisions with certain select powers reserved for the Pastors’ Board. The new Board of Trustees is comprised of 18 appointed members with four ex-officio members designated by the Diocese of Peoria.

Appointed Members

• Larry DeBrock, University Dean
• John Deponaii III, Retired Civil Engineer
• Frances Drone-Silvers, College Librarian
• Kenny During, Farm Owner/Operator
• Laurence (LJ) Fallon, Hospital Administrator
• Paul Hausladen, Business Owner
• Meg Hedrick, Registrar
• Ryan Hendrickson, University Professor
• Mary Hinders, Architecture Design
• Teresa King, Physician
• Justin Kirby, Wealth Management Advisor
• Ed Kral, Retired School Administrator
• Barb Kuhl, Retired Banker
• Todd Powell, Business Manager
• John Powers, Attorney
• John Rollins, Business Owner
• Nancy Sutton, College Educator
• Dan Weber, Business Owner

Ex Officio Members

• Msgr. Albert W. Hallin, Pastors’ Board President
• Msgr. Mark Merdian, Pastors’ Board Vice President
• Brother William Dygert C.S.C., Superintendent
• Tim Millage, Principal

Implementation of the Board of Trustees is the result of a recommendation of the diocesan long-range plan for schools, completed in 2009, “Renewing Our Mission:  A Blueprint for the Future.” The recommendation is being implemented in all six Catholic high schools conducted by the Diocese of Peoria. “Our transition to this Board of Trustees marks a positive move for our high school. It enables participation by the Catholic community of Champaign County in providing direction and guidance to ensure the mission, quality, continuity and stability of The High School of Saint Thomas More,” said Tim Millage, Principal of The High School of Saint Thomas More.

Millage stated, “These board members have shown a strong commitment to Catholic education and to The High School of Saint Thomas More. They bring diverse perspectives and strong leadership which will enable our high school to renew its presence and soar to new levels of achievement. We will reach out to additional members of our STM community to serve on committees established by our board. I look forward to working with this new Board of Trustees to advance the mission of The High School of Saint Thomas More.”