ST. MARYS — Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of the Diocese of Erie, Board of Members, and the Board of Directors of the Elk County Catholic School System announced the appointment of Ted Hanes as its next school system president.

A graduate of Elk County Christian High School and former longtime faculty member, Hanes returns to ECCSS in a leadership role that marks a meaningful homecoming. Hanes is a member of its class of 1990 and spent more than two decades serving ECC in multiple capacities.

As assistant principal from 2011 to 2016, he oversaw student life and building safety, managed scheduling for students and staff, directed grading and academic records and led capital improvement projects, including technology upgrades and security enhancements. During his time at ECC, he taught a wide range of mathematics courses, from Algebra I to Advanced Placement Calculus BC, as well as computer science offerings.

In his early career, Hanes served as ECC’s technology coordinator and network administrator, equipping classrooms with computers and training faculty in instructional technology. In 2016, Hanes was appointed the founding principal of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Over five years, he guided the school from its opening through steady expansion, adding one grade level per year and eventually launching a middle school. He developed academic, athletic, co-curricular and faith-based programs, created a Catholic culture rooted in prayer and service, oversaw construction of a new facility, managed budgets, recruited staff and established strong community and parish partnerships.

Since 2021, Hanes has served at Christ the King Catholic High School in Concord, N.C., as a mathematics instructor and household coordinator, a role in which he helped revitalize the school’s household program. He has also been actively involved in school life, assisting with drama productions, serving on key committees for attendance, safety and building expansion, and representing faculty in strategic planning for a 30,000-square-foot campus addition.

“I am excited to return to Elk County Catholic School System and serve with the faculty, staff and administration who work tirelessly to form students in mind, body and spirit,” said Hanes. “I look forward to joining their parents on this faith-based educational journey. Together with our larger community of alumni, benefactors and friends, we will build on ECCSS’s strong history and traditions and advance Catholic education for our current students and for generations to come.”

Hanes will officially assume the role of president this September.

“The ECCSS Board of Directors conducted a comprehensive search process that included input from local and Diocesan school leadership,” representatives said in a press release. “Hanes emerged as the clear choice for his vision, values and proven record of leadership in Catholic education.”

Dan Wortman, ECCSS School Board chair, said, “We welcome Ted Hanes back to our school community as our new school system president. Ted has the experience and skills to lead ECCSS into the future successfully.”

ECCSS serves students in preschool through grade 12 across three campuses in Elk County and remains committed to forming young people in mind, body and spirit while nurturing the values of knowledge, peace and holiness.