CHARLESTON—Two principals from the Diocese of Charleston school system are leaving at the end of the 2009-10 school year.
Jean Steinhoff from Divine Redeemer in Hanahan is retiring and David Held from Bishop England High School on Daniel Island has accepted a position at another school.
Both principals have been with the diocese for many years and will be missed, said Sister Julia Hutchison, diocesan superintendent of education.
“Personnel changes aren’t unusual, but Jean’s been with us a long time, and David has too. Those are hard people to find successors for,” Sister Julia said.
Held said he has led Bishop England for 13 years and felt it was time for a new challenge. He was the first principal at the school after it moved from the peninsula to Daniel Island. He will serve as head of Mount de Sales Academy, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school in Macon, Ga.
Steinhoff has been at Divine Redeemer for over 20 years as an English teacher, religion teacher and principal, and will help the school celebrate its 50th anniversary this year before retiring, said Father Edward W. Fitzgerald.
Father Fitzgerald, who is pastor of Divine Redeemer Church, said Steinhoff has been a loyal force at the school.
“She’s been a wonderful presence,” he said. “She’s a good soul.”
Festivities for the school’s anniversary are scheduled for Feb. 20 and Father Fitzgerald has encouraged all alumni to attend.
Divine Redeemer parish is actively seeking applicants to fill the principal’s position, while the diocese is handling the Bishop England search.