CLHSA Names Marty Uhle as Superintendent

Nathan Hessler | Thursday, February 2, 2017

On January 19, 2017, the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association (CLHSA) Board of Directors unanimously approved Martin J. Uhle to fill the position of Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Uhle just completed six months as the Interim Superintendent.

Throughout its almost seventy-year history, the CLHSA has looked to leaders who have brought to the position a variety of experiences and backgrounds such as Clergy, Minister of Religion, School Principal, and Teacher. The Board of Directors has determined, at this time in our history, a person with a business background is best suited to oversee the affairs of the CLHSA. Mr. Uhle will continue to work with the CLHSA staff regarding finances, budgets, human resources, development, recruiting, and cash management. The Principals of our two high schools will report directly to Mr. Uhle. The Administrative Team of Mr. Uhle, Mr. Wolfgram, and Mr. Steinmann comprises a multi-talented and diverse group tasked with delivering on our promises to our students, their families and the member congregations of the CLHSA.

Mr. Uhle’s engagement with the CLHSA is structured as a year by year contract expiring at the end of each school year, in the same manner as all of our team. Given the mid-year decision regarding this role, Mr. Uhle’s initial contract term will run through June 30, 2018. The expectation of the Board of Directors is that Mr. Uhle will retain the position of Superintendent and CEO for the foreseeable future and continue leading the strategic initiatives that are underway. Mr. Uhle has been qualified by the State of Ohio and is properly licensed as a Superintendent for chartered, non-public schools. His title as Superintendent and CEO speaks to his licensure by the Ohio Department of Education on behalf of the CLHSA’s two high schools and to his role as the most senior management position of the CLHSA responsible to the Board of Directors.

In addition to his work with the CLHSA, Mr. Uhle will continue to manage the Pierstorf Memorial Fund at Messiah Lutheran Church, Fairview Park. The Pierstorf Memorial Fund makes interest-free loans available to Lutheran college students at 157 ELCA and LC-MS congregations in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties. The Pierstorf Memorial Fund has supported many hundreds of CLHSA graduates over the last 23 years with their college expenses. In 2016, loans totaling $655,000 were made and this total is expected to increase by 50% in 2018. Lutheran West also maintains a Pierstorf Memorial Loan Fund established by the same donor to assist with high school expenses. This work is consistent with Mr. Uhle’s choice to be of service to the greater Cleveland Lutheran community and to support the education of our Lutheran students throughout the educational continuum. The Pierstorf Memorial Fund will share in a pro-rata portion of the expense of Mr. Uhle’s salary and benefits.