by Theodore Wiesehan

    After serving as superintendent of Centennial Public Schools for eight years Dr. Brian Maher accepted a position as Kearney Public Schools superintendent beginning July 1.
     "Leading an organization the size of Kearney (schools) is something I'm looking forward to," Maher said. "That's a challenge I'm looking forward to."
     The Centennial post was Maher's first experience as superintendent. Prior to his arrival at Centennial Maher had served as a high school principal at Waverly and an assistant principal, teacher and coach at Elkhorn Public Schools.
     Maher said he was thankful for the opportunity to serve at Centennial and that the years spent in the community had been an important time for his family.
     "(It's been) a great time for me, professionally, (and a) great time for my family," he said. "When we came here my children were in sixth grade, fourth grade and third grade. Much of their growing up has been at Centennial schools and in the Utica community and I value that time."
     He said that the whole family plans to move, and sophomore daughter Maggie and junior son Brett will finish their high school educations in Kearney.
     "We talked about different options for everybody, but we're a really strong family unit and we want to keep that unit intact," he said. "So the transition for the kids is something we'll need to address."
     Maher said he will especially miss the staff at Centennial and the school's cooperative atmosphere.
     "The staff that we have here at Centennial is just tremendous," Maher said. "Our administrative team and our board of education, I think everybody truly has the same end in mind and that's really a fun place to work when you can get everybody going in the same direction."
     Maher will replace Dr. Ken Anderson, who plans to retire after serving for seven years as superintendent of Kearney schools.
     Kearney School Board President Kyle Harshbarger said Maher's administrative experience and unassuming demeanor stood out to the board.
     "We really liked his background - the good quality things he's done at Centennial," Harshbarger said. "(Maher) seems like a very approachable person who cared a lot about not only those that he worked with but all those around him and that appealed to us."
     At a special March 1 meeting the Centennial School Board released Maher from his contract effective June 30. The board planned to hold another special meeting March 6 to determine how to proceed in the search for a new superintendent.
     Maher applied for the position in early January, he said, and was formally offered the post Feb. 26.