Monks oust Benedictine headmaster
LETTER: Appointing a new headmasterBenedictine 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
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Reader Reactions
Bleed Green,
I agree with most of what you said about the speed with which the news spread. What I don’t understand is why it took so long to let the parents and Alumni “officially” know.
There was a post on the school website which was fine but how many people go there routinely? Their notice was a letter sent by US Mail - which was in my mailbox when I got home from the meeting Wednesday evening.
If this was so important, and with the news in the media, why couldn’t the school send an email out? This would have made sense to me as they could have used it as a kind of damage control if done properly.
Other than the timing, I admit from the meeting that we have to give the monks a chance to work this out. After all,it is their school.
Unfortunately the way it was all handled will just make it harder for the monks, parents and alumni to get to a point where they can work together for what we all want - a great school for our sons!
Benedictine High School has been a Richmond institution since 1911. Many men have walked the halls on North Sheppard Street. There are many business owners throughout Richmond that know what being a Cadet is all about; the traditions and friendships that come from the four years of learning on North Sheppard Street. Benedictine over the years has seen it’s fair share of problems but has always moved forward. In today’s competitive academic lifestyle, Benedictine is reaching it’s highest recognition for it’s academic and athletic accomplishments. While many Richmonders and Cadets debate about the decisions that have been made over the past few days, one thing is certain; Benedictine has many friends and enemies, but without Benedictine a part of the city of Richmond; well that in itself would be more devastating then any business loss over the past six months.
While many people are upset in the manor of how the monks regained control of the school, Benedictine is owned by the monks and they have every right to operate the school how they see fit. So to this date while some may be upset, the monks feel they are doing what is best for the school. Only time will tell if this is the right decision. With that said, the Benedictine family is very strong. While the monks may be at the realm, it will take the support of the Cadets to keep Benedictine open for another 100 years.
So to the monks, who will need every blessing in the upcoming months, God Bless. It will take every ounce of strength and wisdom to get you through the next twelve months. It will not be easy and you will need to prove yourself to the Benedictine family and gain our confidence. Hopefully you can deliver on your promises. But in case you cannot, know the Cadets of BHS are watching and will continue to watch closely. If you do fail on this mission, Benedictine High School will not be a part of that failure. Father Adrian has many men, many men of Father Adrian have walked those prestigious halls and more men will follow. The Cadets will rise up should a day come where the monks consider a sale of North Sheppard Street, let it be known that the Men of Old BC will be the first to answer the call, and Benedictine High School will continue and remain as it has since 1911 on North Sheppard Street.
The monks are getting a bad rap for the appearant pr blunder of this change. But there is something more insidious going on that the monks had no control over. The timeline for the change of command was a very short one.
Sunday night the monks had an emergency meeting to address the financial situation and the recommendations of the monastic community’s governing body. It was at that meeting and on the recommendation of the governing body that McGinty’s contract was not renewed. Other decisions made were to disolve the board of trustees and reorganize the school’s leadership.
Monday morning Mcginty was informed of the decision and an offer was appearantly made to take another position within the school that used his skills. He declined.
Immediately following that meeting Father Greg Gresko called a meeting of the faculty and staff for 3:00pm. He also began the process of telling the community of the change. This included a letter to the parents and students, alum and website statement.
At the same time this was happening, Mr. Mcginty said his goodbyes to the staff by e-mail. As you might imagine with a man loved as much as he is, there were some hurt feelings. One of those with hurt feelings contacted the press and forwarded Mr. Mcginty’s e-mail to people outside of the community. It was never the Monk’s intention to have the press be their perferred method of information disemination. By noon, only a couple of hours after Mr. Mcginty declined further participation with the school, the press and rumor mill was fully engaged.
It seems there are many in our community that are hurt by the perceived lack of consideration of the monks. That is farthest from the case. The lack of consideration came from a disgruntled person that never gave the monks a chance to communicate with the community.
Also, there has been a breech of trust by the monks, board of trustees and Mr. McGinty. The financial crisis called the community to perform some self analysis. As this was done Changes were made to ensure the school’s future. There is no doubt that errors were made in the management of the finances of the school. However, those practices have been uncovered and discontinued. It is important that the financials of the school are totally transparent in the future.
I wonder if the proud Cadet is happy with being part of a statistic that shows them last in supporting the school. (17% of the alum give to the school. Lowest in the area.) In light of the fact that the financial issues for the school began to decline when the pledges for the athletic fields were not honored, there is enough blame to go around.
The monks seemed to have learned from the lack of over sight and are fixing the problem by getting total over sight in their control.
We should never forget this like we will never forget the fire, the monks that have helped form us, the pictures of graduating classes in tha hallowed halls, the names in the gym and the bell tower, the spinning silver platter, and all the other elements that will never be quite understood by anyone who never wore a name tag on the left or wore a green and white chord. Just as those elements, and many more, are a part of who we are, so too will the recovery from this crisis.
Keep the school at the corner!
I agree. However, while the “administartor from South Dakota” may be “temporary” he has been there for a number of years and that is enough time to cause not only financial probelsm from other problems within the monastic community. I hope we can keep the monastic presence in Richmond but various decisions are being made that put the Abbey at risk. I am concerned they will now put the school at risk. I hope the larger Benedicine monsatic community will pay more attention to the problems on River Road. It would be in the best interest of the larger Christian and Catholic community.
Just FYI, the reason for the abbey’s financial woes is because of the poor financial management by the “administrator from South Dakota.“ He has done a terrible job and since he is temporary, he should have absolutely no say in this matter.
I read the article with real saddness as the monks need the prayers of the entire community - they can barely run the Abbey no less a school. I know all of these men and they really newed to pay attention to the Abbey and why they have few if any vocations, why they are still years later under an “administaror” from another
South Dakota because they cannot elect their own abbot. In their heart they have to know they have saerious problems and should leave the school alone as they have been absent from the school with the exception of one monk for years. I pray things work out but they clearly need our prayers as we will lose both the high school and the abbey.
I was told by someone that Benedictine was an elite private school with a wait list. Is that not true? Because if it is, just raise tuition. Supply and demand. But maybe I was misinformed. I don’t know much about the school.
Take it easy “Eyeon”. Lets give these guys a chance. After all there have been a lot of really good men (The monks) over the years who devoted their entire lives (without pay I might add) to make BHS what it is today ! I would say they earned the right to call the shots here.
The school is not in dire straits, but the monastery sure is. What happened to the money from all the land deals in Hanover, Goochland, Church Road, and elsewhere?
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