The Message -- for Catholics of Southwestern Indiana
Jim Deneen
Former superintendent of education remembers bulging classrooms, new
By MARY ANN HUGHES
Message staff writer
superintendent of schools in
the diocese, following in Father
Roman Heerdink's footsteps.
He was a graduate of Memor-
ial High School, Evansville,
and he also attended St. Mein-
rad, the University of Inns-
bruck, and Catholic University
of America.
One of the first things he did
as superintendent was start a
diocesan board of education,
something he remembers as
having a "rather difficult be-
ginning." The dimensions of
the board were rather confused
at first, as everyone tried to
figure out "what the board
When Jim Deneen is asked
about his days as diocesan su-
perintendent of education, he
remembers a boom time of
bulging classrooms, new school
construction, and an influx of
lay teachers.
Deneen, who served as head
of Catholic schools in the Dio-
cese of Evansville from 1958 to
1967, led a school system that
peaked in enrollment in 1966-
67 with 16,500 students en-
rolled.
Deneen was only the second
should be doing. Then, when
Father (William) Lautner came
on the board, he helped the
board get focused." The board
was unusual for its time, De-
neen remembers, because it
was made up "mostly of lay
people."
Bishop Henry J. Grimmels-
man didn't have much to say
about it, but his successor,
Bishop Paul F. Leibold, was
"very supportive," Deneen said.
He remembers his tenure as
head of Catholic schools as a
time of "tremendous building.
New schools, two, three or
even four, opened every year.
And there were many addi-
tions" to buildings.
During his leadership term,
lay teachers were also being
hired in large numbers. "In
1958, there were 10 percent
lay teachers and by 1967, there
were 25 percent lay teachers."
By the 1966-67 school year,
enrollment peaked, with
16,500 students enrolled in ele-
mentary and high schools
throughout the diocese.
"It was a large system, an
expanding system, with a lot of
financial problems. In retro-
spect, those financial problems
were just beginning."
He' said he was challenged
by the tremendous enrollment,
as classes became huge, and
classrooms held as many 50
students. "It was a very diffi-
-cult time, because parents
were demanding that their
children be admitted to our
schools, and the teachers were
getting stressed out" because
of class size. "My challenge
was getting enough classroom
space and enough teachers."
In retrospect, Deneen be-
lieves his two successes as su-
perintendent included opening
Marian Day School in Evans-
ville, a school for special needs
children, and opening Rex
Mundi High School.
He left
a position with
Catholic
tion. He subset
sitions with the
New York and the:
dation, before joining
cational Testing
Princeton, New
now retired and
Jersey.
Jim Deneen, left, visits with Phyllis Be
Director of Schools and Father James Lex, a
san Superintendent of Schools.
-- Message photo
The Catholic
Community of
/
Washington
celebrates the 50th
Anniversary of the
Diocese of Evansville
ST MARY CHURCH
Founded 1874
Pastor- Rev. Ronald Zgunda
Pastoral associate -- Mrs. Yvonne Evans
Total families: 536 Total parishioners 1.250
ST. SIMON CHURCH
Founded 1837
Pastor- Rev. David A. Martin
Deacon -- Michael Morris
Associate Pastor w Revo Gordon Mann
Total families: 920 Total parishioners: 2,202
Ministry Day presentation :
Nathan Mitchell, from the Center for
University of Notre Dame, makes a point
tured presentation at Ministry Day 1994, Oct.
is an author, lecturer, teacher, and regular
Worship Magazine. Minstry Day was held at 1
Center, Evansville.
I
Peoples
Trust
Company
SOUTH MAIN STREET
P.O. BOX 191
LINTON, INDIANA 4744"1
II
m===
i ii
Vincennes
Bicknell
Sandborn
Monroe City. Princeton. Patoka
Member F.D.I.C.
= =l
FOR
ELECTRICAL
- ii
