Naumann to retire from Tolton HS
Seeking to be closer to family in St. Louis area
Bernard A. Naumann Jr., president of Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, announced today (Feb. 28) that he will retire at the end of the current school year in order to assist aging parents who reside in the St. Louis area.
He has been serving as president of Tolton Catholic since July 2016 and will continue through June 30 of this year.
“This is certainly an emotional decision,” Naumann stated in his announcement. “Tolton Catholic has truly become family to me. I will forever be grateful for the acceptance and support I have received from everyone I’ve worked with in our diocese.”
Bishop Shawn McKnight of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, which includes Columbia, praised Naumann for his selfless service to the school and to the Church.
“Bernie has been a great servant-leader at our Catholic high school in Columbia. My heart is full of gratitude for his exceptional service, and I pray that he will be blessed in all his future endeavors,” Bishop McKnight said.
Sister Julie Brandt SSND, associate superintendent of Catholic schools for the Jefferson City diocese, noted Naumann’s hard work and dedication.
“I am grateful for the dedicated service Bernie has given to Fr. Tolton Catholic High School. His leadership experience and commitment to Catholic education have been invaluable to the continued growth of the school,” said Sr. Brandt.
Naumann has provided leadership in several key areas of institutional vitality at Tolton Catholic, including the stabilization of the school’s finances; ongoing diversification of the school’s college-prep course offerings; and helping to develop a clear vision for growth and long-term viability.
The Catholic School Office of the Diocese of Jefferson City will coordinate the search process for Naumann’s successor. This will lead to the school’s board of directors making a recommendation to Bishop McKnight, who will appoint the school’s next president.
The search process should be concluded by mid-April, with an appointment expected shortly thereafter.
Naumann credited the Tolton Catholic faculty and families and the regional Catholic community for helping to create tremendous positive momentum at the school.
“I am proud to be part of the faculty and staff that has worked with such incredible devotion,” he said. “I am amazed by the charity of time, talent and treasure I have seen from parents, colleagues and many regional supporters.”
Naumann noted that his parents had made numerous sacrifices in order for their six children to have a Catholic education.
“They passed that passion for Catholic education on to me,” Naumann wrote. “It has now become time for me to return some of that care to those that created that passion.”
Opened in 2011, Tolton Catholic has 290 students.
