HASTINGS, Ne.— Hastings Catholic Schools is turning to an area school superintendent to be its next middle and high school principal.

The school system announced Friday that Sam Dunn will be its new principal starting Aug. 1. Dunn has been superintendent at Loomis Public Schools since 2017. He has 38 years of experience in education covering several different roles.

The search process for the new principal began in November following the news that current principal and assistant chief administrative officer, Fr. Cyrus Rowan, would assume the Chief Administrative Officer role at Hastings Catholic Schools. 

“We are looking forward to having Mr. Sam Dunn as the new principal at St. Cecilia Middle and High School,” Rowan said in a statement.  “He is a proven administrator with many talents and gifts. Mr. Dunn brings with him much experience as a school administrator and will help continue to move St. Cecilia forward with our academics, our fine arts programs, other activities, and with the building of our culture around the core values of faith, family, commitment, and courage."

A news release said a selection committee was responsible for gathering community input, assisting in interviewing candidates and providing administration with a hiring recommendation.