Tullier to step down as CHS president

Catholic High School in Baton Rouge president Gene Tullier will be stepping down at the end of the 2022-23 year.

Tullier’s retirement was among several changes announced to the school’s leadership team on Sept. 30.

CHS principal Lisa Harvey will replace Tullier as the school’s CEO. Dr. Tom Eldringhoff will assume duties as principal.

Also announ-ced, Christy Kessler will continue in her role as assistant principal for instruction. CHS Alumnus Douglas Logsdon will step into the role of Dean of Students where he will be responsible for implementing the school’s behavior policy. 

Harvey called the timing of the announcement poignant as Sept. 30 signified a special day for the CHS community: Foundation Day.

 “On Foundation Day, as a Brothers of the Sacred Heart School, we reflect on our efforts to evangelize young people through education – a mission established by our founder, Father André Coindre on this day more than 200 years ago,” Harvey said. “I cannot think of a better steward of Father Coindre’s charism, than (Tullier). 

“He has courageously led the members of our school community with an open and compassionate heart for the past 17 years, and we feel incredibly blessed to have had him bring us to this pivotal moment in our school’s history.”

“Under (Tullier’s leadership), CHS has advanced in profound ways,” she added. “He has led us through much-needed facilities expansions, increased opportunities for enrollment for all students and raised salaries for faculty and staff so that we can attract and retain superior educators. 

“The impact of his work as president will continue to be felt long after his retirement.”

 In her new role, Harvey will be responsible for guiding the CHS Board of Directors as they oversee the school’s policies and affairs. She will continue to work closely with school administrators to preserve Catholic High School’s tradition of excellence in education. 

 Harvey, an experien-ced teacher and school administrator, has been prin-cipal since 2011. As the school’s first female leader, she has helped CHS achieve National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence status two of the six times it has been recognized. Prior to becoming principal, Harvey served as assistant principal overseeing both instructional and academic aspects of the school. 

She was a classroom teacher for 17 years and has had three sons graduate from CHS. 

Eldringhoff will be responsible for the day-to-day operations while also overseeing activities, as well as the performance of school personnel. 

Eldringhoff is in his 32nd year of education with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and has served on the CHS administration since 2007. In addition, he is a religion teacher and served as the CHS campus minister for 11 years. 

“I am humbled and excited to begin this new role and look forward to continuing the standard of excellence in education that CHS is known for throughout the state,” Eldringhoff said.

Harvey said she looks forward to sustaining her relationship with the new leadership team to continue advancing the mission of the school.

“We will continue to foster the well-established sanctuary (Tullier) helped us create – one that centers around the core values of the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart through the religious commitment, personal dedication and professional competence of the many men and women, past and present, who have devoted themselves to the education of the young men in our care,” she said.