It sounds to me like the situation with terminating Cindy Mann at Padua Academy has gone from bad to worse! As if the media barrage and the student protests weren’t enough to knock some sense into the heads of these Catholic Oblates, it turns out Mann has some very serious health issues going on. Mann’s attorney, Thomas Neuberger, released the following press release. Yes, this is dated for tomorrow! #pinkshoepower
As a protest is forthcoming tomorrow in front of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church due to the termination of the much-loved and respected Head of School Cindy Mann at Padua Academy, the Board of Trustees for the school sent out a letter today regarding their opinion of the firing. They do NOT agree with Father Nicholas Waseline’s decision yesterday.
The controversial decision, based on the firing of Mann because she would not allow Father Waseline to dip into the Padua Academy coffers, has caused a tremendous outcry from students, alumni, teachers, and even the former Head of School.
In a February news bulletin from their website, Father Waseline talks about his plan to pillage Padua’s finances to boost the parish. But what he has done is alienate parishioners, some of whom have sworn to stop giving to the parish until Mann is reinstated:
Excellence in education is recognized as a current and ongoing reality at Padua Academy. It is, without doubt, one of the best secondary schools in the region. Padua Academy retains its identity as a Parish School, even though 97% of the students who attend, and their families, are not parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. The school is well-positioned for success – it is professionally managed, financially viable and maintains an admissions waiting list. Most of the Academy graduates attend the best colleges and universities in the country and beyond. We are grateful for Padua Academy’s accomplishments and outstanding reputation. The financial corollary of the fact that only 3% of Padua’s students are parishioners is that virtually no financial support from a majority of student families flows to the parish in terms of offertory contributions. When the significant number of Padua students were parishioners, their families were regular financial contributors to the parish. With the current demographics of today’s Padua students and families in mind, the parish has determined that a “Stewardship Assessment” of Padua revenue will be established to restore the offertory income no longer available to the parish and reconcile the value of the Padua campus within the parish portfolio of assets.
Might want to rethink this one Father Waseline!
The Padua Academy Head of School, Cindy Mann, was fired today. A letter went out to parents from Father Nicholas Waseline. Students and parents are furious. A protest from students is taking place on Monday. But the reason for her termination is more shocking than the actual firing.
According to sources, Waseline approached Mann about transferring money from Padua to St. Anthony’s. While Padua has become a well respected school, St. Anthony’s is struggling. Mann said no to the transfer and was fired for insubordination. Padua is a part of St. Anthony’s parish, but it was created to run separately in administration. Meaning Waseline, who oversees both, went against the organizational foundation Padua was built on. The grade school, St. Anthony School, is grades K-8 while Padua Academy serves 9-12.
It is never a good idea, even in a private school setting, to get rid of those who make something great. And when that termination reason is based on something unethical? Definitely not a good idea! But when it comes from a Catholic Priest. Even worse!
The Season Of Myths 