Monks oust Benedictine headmaster

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: June 10, 2009

Benedictine High School's headmaster has been forced out by senior monks who are reorganizing the administration and have dissolved the board of the 98-year-old Catholic school.

The monastic order in charge of the boys' military school says it is making the changes to save money and take a greater role in Benedictine's day-to-day operations.

The decision, reached Sunday by unanimous consent of 11 senior monks at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Goochland County, forces out Headmaster John McGinty, who has led the school since 2003.

The Rev. Gregory Gresko, the abbey's second in charge, will become headmaster effective July 1.

"This action is being taken -- including the placement of other monks from the monastery into various administrative roles -- with the intention of reinvigorating the monastic presence at the school," Gresko said yesterday.

The school was founded in 1911 by the Benedictine monks, but during the past few decades they had played a less active role in managing and directing it, Gresko noted.

"We're returning to our roots," he said.

Gresko said McGinty's contract as headmaster was not renewed, but he was offered another position. McGinty declined the offer.

McGinty was a vice principal and then principal at Mills Godwin High School in Henrico County for 21 years before he accepted the headmaster's position at Benedictine.

In a statement e-mailed to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, he said: "I have enjoyed my six years at Benedictine immensely. I will miss being a part of such an outstanding and close-knit school community."

Gresko said: "John McGinty has given great things to Benedictine, and we very much appreciate his years of service."

James Harenchar, president of the board of trustees, said he and other board members were informed Monday of the monks' decision to dissolve the board and dismiss McGinty.

Said Gresko: "We've been seeking to work cooperatively with all those who have been serving on the board up to this point. . . . We're looking to have some of those members actually serve on the new board."

Gresko said he expects the reorganization to result in significant cost savings. That should help the school's bottom line in the current economy and keep tuition in check, he said. Tuition, currently $11,700, will rise to $13,500 this fall, he said.

"There's been great success in increased enrollment at the school, and there's been significant growth in its academic programs," Gresko said. "But there has been increased costs and overruns that have been incurred that have required our immediate attention." Current enrollment is 267.

"When you combine that with the severe economic downturn, and the economic effects that have followed, even more financial pressure has been put on the school, due to reduced financial support," he added.

Gresko confirmed that the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries has provided the school with a $900,000 loan to cover an accumulated shortfall.

Mandates imposed by the congregation could put the school's existence at risk if certain changes were not made, Gresko said.

The school is not is dire financial straits, Gresko said. "It's a situation that's manageable."

And contrary to rumors, the abbey has "absolutely" no plans to close the school, Gresko said.

Contact Mark Bowes at (804) 649-6450 or mbowes@timesdispatch.com.