Monks force out Benedictine headmaster, take increased role at school
The Rev. Gregory Gresko is Benedictine’s new headmaster.
Benedictine High School's headmaster has been forced out by senior monks who are reorganizing the administration of the 98-year-old school .
McGinty
The monastic order in charge of the school says it is undertaking the changes to save money and take a greater role in Benedictine's operations.
The decision, reached Sunday by unanimous consent of 11 senior monks at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Goochland County, forces out current Headmaster John McGinty, who has led the school since 2003.
The Rev. Gregory Gresko, the Abbey's second in command, will become the school's new headmaster effective July 1.
"The monastic community is acting in a renewal of its commitment to the high school," Gresko said today. "This action is being taken -- including the placement of other monks from the monastery into various administrative roles -- with intention of reinvigorating the monastic presence at the school."
Gresko noted that Benedictine was founded in 1911 by the Benedictine monks, but over the past few decades they had played a less active role in managing and directing the school.
"We're returning to our traditions, we're returning to our roots," Gresko said.
Gresko said McGinty's contract was not renewed as headmaster, but he was offered another position "that would have changed some of his responsibilities." He declined.
McGinty was a fixture at Mills Godwin High School in Henrico County for 21 years before accepting the headmaster's position at Benedictine in September 2003. 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. ...He's hired many wonderful new faculty members."
The school's current Board of Trustees is also in process of being re-organized, Gresko said.
"We've been seeking to work cooperatively with all those who have been serving on the board up to this point," Gresko said. "We believe there are a lot of very good people who have a strong loyalty and love for the school. 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 economic downturn and keep tuition costs in line, 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."
"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.
The important thing, Gresko said, is to provide a quality education for the most affordable cost. "Out of fairness to our parents, who we know are strained in this current economy, we are looking to reduce any increase in tuition . . . and not pass unneeded expenses on to parents."
-- Mark Bowes
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Reader Reactions
I would also like to clarify that I have the utmost respect for the Benedictine Monastic Community and by no means meant to offend anyone in the monastic or vocational community. I just have problems with them serving as High School Administrators.
Than, now you are clearly missing the point. The location of the School is of paramount importance. It gives Benedictine the diverse enrollment that seperates it from the St. Christophers and Collegiates of the world. If they were to move it out to Goochland that will absolutely be lost. Benedictine serves an oasis of educational oppurtunity in a city district with few other options. I would venture to say that I may not have made it to the college of my choice had my only high school option been TJ. You really need to live in the area to appreciate the importance of the location.
I am not sure that Than has a complete grasp of the situation. I am not saying that he hasn’t made valid points, but am saying that if you are not very familiar with both the school and the Abby then you may not have clear picture of how those of us who are feel. I have been a part of this community my entire life. I went to St. Benedict School (across the st. from Benedictine) from K-8. I was an alter boy at St. Benedict church for many years and also out at the Abby on occasion. I attended Benedictine for 4 years. I do not think that this comes down to McGinty vs Gresko as much as it is the people who are very invested in the future of this school vs the people who, for the past several decades, have not shown much interest in the school at all. It is no secret that the Abby has been in financial trouble for year. They have also had a shrinking monastic as well as vocational community. On the other hand Benedictine, only recently under the guidance of Mr. McGinty, has started to reverse the tides and are gaining in both admission and educational quality. Doesn’t it seem an odd time to make this change? I think that this has everything to do with a prime piece of Richmond real estate that some people care for more than they do a 98 year old institution. Do the research, I think you will be surprised by what you find.
i don’t understand. is everyone basically upset that the school simply might not be in the museum district anymore?
what if the abbey DOES sell the property? what if they get far more than $4mil for it? what if they build a brand new school facility twice the size with all new equipment and all new tools for learning?
Someguy, i think your opinion of the monks is a little unfair. these are men who have taken a vow of servitude and poverty. i’m sure you dont see any of them wearing zegna robes or driving the latest AMG S-class on new 22’s…. and let’s assume that they sell the school and build a new one out in goochland: do you really think the students won’t benefit from whatever facilities are built out there?
i’ve seen the athletic compound out on river rd…it’s huge. perfectly manicured fields, collegiate-grade track…gorgeous. do you mean to tell me that the monks of the abbey benefit from that more than the students? i remember the old benedictine athletic facilities, i used to live in a neighborhood right behind them. sorry, but they were a s-hole. blacktop track, cracked tennis courts, football field full of weeds…i don’t remember anyone making a big fuss about it when the new facilities were built out in goochland. moreover, i don’t hear anyone complaining about it now and i really don’t hear any prospective parents saying “gee, i really wish this athletic compound was crappier and in more disrepair….“
okay, my comment of “who cares?“ was a bit off. what i was trying to say is that, like B. Meyer feels, this really should not be of concern to anyone who does not contribute to Benedictine, either through tuition or alumnus contribution.
the other point i was trying to say is this: If you are an alumnus, why are you contributing? because you support the headmaster or because you support the vision of the school, regardless of who is headmaster? i don’t say that to belittle mr. mcginty by any means, but i DO say it in hopes of having people consider the possibility that father gresko just might do a good job as headmaster. (shock!)
lets suppose that this IS financially motivated…what if the abbey is trying to sell the property and move the school in order to keep the doors open? what is terrible about that? (again, i’m assuming the sale of the property wouldn’t go to building a new basketball court for the monks at the abbey)
And to TheRealBHS, I think you’ll be surprised how quickly this situation could fade away. i say “could” because if the benedictine monks fail at the goal of keeping the high standards of excellence at the school then it will obviously never be forgotten (but having said that, i think their success or failure will depend heavily on parental support). i also don’t think it will deter any prospective students/parents unless all of the alumni keep bickering and crying about it. i’ll tell you, if i was a prospective parent, i would be more turned off by a bunch of whining alumni and parents than the fact that all the people in the administrative offices are wearing robes.
it just seems to me like the majority of the comments on here are essentially saying: “i don’t like that mcginty and the majority of the boad have been replaced by monks and i don’t want to give my money to them.“ but will you give them the chance to perform? what if the vision of the board and school stays constant? what if none of the instructors change? what if the schedule stays exactly the same (as i suspect it will)? what then? do you still intend to not make your contribution?
maybe i’m wrong (it hasn’t been the first time), but i DO know that there are 2 sides to every story. i also happen to believe that while whatever happens may be financially motivated, i’m sure it’s not motivated by profit, so to speak. monks have no personal need for money, and the abbey itself is more likely than not receiving funding from places other than just the school.
Jham’s article sums it up. The monks have put their plan to move the school out to River Rd on the fast track. By cleaning administrative house they will be able to do so with much less internal backlash.
Then they can justify building themselves some new digs, which is the ultimate goal here. Maybe they’ll make it on MTV Cribs; I guarantee they will spare no expense.
I recomend that anyone who thinks this was a decision in the best interest of the traditions of Benedictine to check out Style.com or follow the below link:
The gloves are off indeed.
Dear “Than”,
I appreciate your insight and am curious in how you respond to my take on your quote that says:
“Finally as far as the whole handling and portrayal of this situation, who cares? The bottom line is that this is a concern primarily of the parents of those boys who attend Benedictine.“
Here is my contention - poor handling = loss of confidence and trust = reduced alumni giving = financial jeopardy of school remaining open.
I think i have a stake in seeing the school continue for another 98 years - and I am seriously concerned that this incident has jeopardized that.
As a matter of fact - One of the main reasons that BHS endowment is so “paltry” is a pervading feeling that school and abbey funds are co-mingled. The result is the inability for an advancement officer to solicit the kind of donations that St. Chris, Steward and the like are able to procure.
Whether we like it or not, it DOES matter what big donors think because they have a large influence over the viability of the school. Talking about the molding of young boys is great - so long as you can still pay the electric bill.
I wish this discussion could take place in a vacuum free of economics and how public opinion affects that - but I’m afraid that’s not the case.
This is strictly a financial decision.
St. Christopher’s/St. Catherine’s have a combined endowment of over $130 million.
Collegiate (a much younger school) has an endowment in the $45 million range.
Benedictine’s endowment is a paltry $1.5 million. Thus they are not able to weather the economic storm in the same manner as the more elite private schools in the area. And raising their tuition beyond the current 13,500 would be out of the question.
To “Than”—-many good points, but you have 0 idea how much the handling and portrayal of this means to us as alumni. Don’t you think this situation, which certainly won’t be confined to yesterday or this week, may deter some prospective students/parents? As an alumnus, I certainly feel this is detrimental to BHS and will severely damage BHS’ fundraising capacity.
Also, PLEASE goto Style.com’s front page and read the short article there. That is the unfiltered, unbiased point of view that has so many of us “overreacting” in an emotional way to this news. If you have the time, compare the letter that was sent to BHS parents (on their website) and compare it to many of the quotes from this article. This T-D article is filtered and doesn’t quote ONE person who has an opinion different from Fr. Greg or the monks.
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