DARTMOUTH — Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth will be getting a new president.

The Fall River Diocese announced Thursday that James Benson, the current Acting Head of School at DeLaSalle High in Minneapolis, will be replacing current Bishop Stang president Peter Shaughnessy in July.

Catholic Schools Alliance marketing VP Sandi Duxbury said that Shaughnessy has spent 13 years at the Dartmouth school, but is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Shaughnessy acts as both principal and president at Bishop Stang, although Benson will just be taking on the president role.

A new school principal has yet to be announced.

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Benson will be Bishop Stang's third president since 1994, according to the diocese's announcement.

He has worked at DeLaSalle for 17 years in various leadership roles, but will be moving to southeastern Massachusetts with his wife and family to take on his new position starting July 11.

A New York City native with family in New England, Benson has education and administration degrees from St. John’s University in New York and St. Thomas University in St. Paul.

“I am humbled and blessed to be given this extraordinary opportunity to lead such a wonderful institution,” said Benson. “My roots are in the northeast and my wife and I believe that it is God’s will that brought me to Bishop Stang."

"There are so many exciting opportunities for this school, especially with the recent renovations of the Hugh Carney Stadium and STEM labs," he added. "Continuous improvement aligned with community partnerships will ensure an even brighter future for Bishop Stang!”

“Jim possesses a wealth of experience leading a large, Catholic high school in the Twin Cities,” said Bishop Stang Superintendent Daniel Roy. “Understanding the challenges and opportunities facing Catholic education, Jim will bring keen insights, high energy, and deep commitment to the role.”

Bishop Stang teacher and search committee member William Butler said that the committee saw "many extremely qualified candidates" interested in the position.

"Jim Benson has followed a career path dedicated to Catholic education," he noted. "His extensive experience as a teacher and administrator in Catholic schools has given him the chance to serve as a leader in all areas of running a school.”

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