Marian Catholic High School is looking for a new head of school, as Michael Brennan decided to step down after holding the position for four years.

The school’s board of directors learned of the decision last week, and expressed their gratitude for his service and wish him well on the next chapter of professional journey, a letter sent to the school community Saturday said.

“With the loss of our Head of School, we will begin immediately to search for a successor — an educator who has the skills and experience to lead Marian on its path into the future,” Michael St. Pierre, superintendent of schools for the Allentown Diocese, said in the letter.

Larry Furey, board vice chair, and fellow board member, Sister Rose Mulligan, will cochair the search committee and include input from current parents, faculty, staff, students, alumni and clergy in the process, the letter said.

In the interim, the board hired Joseph Shadid to the temporary position of acting head of school. He has broad experience as a leader and administrator in the public and private sector.

Shadid, who has a master’s in business administration, worked for many years as CEO of Holy Family Senior Living Center in Bethlehem and has a “keen business acumen, which is grounded in his Catholic faith,” the letter said.

Shadid is a father of three Catholic-educated children, and fostered a commitment to teamwork playing football at Penn State University, the letter said.

“I can assure you that Mr. Shadid will hit the ground running, and will work very closely with the staff, faculty and board of Marian,” St. Pierre said. “He will have at heart the best interests of Marian students and the entire school community.”

A faculty advisory committee will also be established during this transition with Patrick Smith, director of campus ministry, serving as chair. The committee will meet regularly and provide feedback and assistance to Shadid, the letter said.

Brennan’s future plans are unclear.

A 2006 Marian alumnus, Brennan served as head of school starting in July 2021, coming from Palmerton Area High School, where he served as a special-education teacher and principal intern/practicum in 2019-20 school year.

Brennan also served as a learning support teacher at Panther Valley Elementary School in Nesquehoning.