The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has named John Simon interim president of Cleveland Central Catholic High School. Simon assumes the duties of interim president after the resignation of President Leo Hyland, who is leaving the school at the end of the current school year after accepting another position. Simon takes up his new duties effective June 1, 2021, as the Office of Diocesan Education conducts a search for the high school’s next president.
In making the announcement, Frank O’Linn, Ed.D., secretary for education and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Cleveland, praised Simon for his past leadership on the school’s advisory board as its president and his willingness to continue service as interim president for the school. “Mr. Simon has distinguished himself as a servant leader among the Cleveland Central Catholic school community. He possesses the wisdom and vision to continue the excellent tradition of Catholic education by serving as its interim president. I offer my sincere thanks to Mr. Simon for answering the call to the benefit of all the students, faculty and staff of Central Catholic.”
Simon is a 1972 graduate of St. Stanislaus/Cleveland Central Catholic. The current Cleveland Central Catholic was created during Simon’s sophomore year.
“I am extremely grateful for the education I received at Cleveland Central Catholic High School and for the generosity and financial support provided back then to help with my tuition,” said Simon. “God’s unconditional love for us, his teachings to love thy neighbor as thy self, were my personal experiences in action at CCC. I am only trying to repay the gift I was given by helping other CCC students have a chance to succeed.”
Due to his deep love and devotion to the school over many years, Simon is affectionately known by many in the school community as “Mr. CCC.”
Simon retired in 2018 from Medical Mutual of Ohio after serving for many years in varying roles, retiring as director of business operations. He earned a business degree from John Carroll University and took post-graduate coursework at Cleveland State University.
Located on Cleveland’s Southeast side, Cleveland Central Catholic High School is a diocesan coeducational school rooted in the Gospel values of Jesus Christ and focused on college and career readiness. Its mission is to challenge and encourage our students to excel academically, to deepen their faith in God, and to live a life of service, so they may face the future with confidence and hope.