The emotions continue to swirl around the removal of Marie Rogai as principal of Cardinal O'Hara High School.
And I have to say those who have reached out to me continue to be fairly evenly split among those backing the embattled principal, and those who are not exactly shedding a tear that she is gone.
One thing almost every one of them agrees on is that they are not particularly happy either with the school or the archdiocese with the way this thing was handled.
Many believe Rogai is being held to a different standard simply because she is a woman. They mock the notion pointed out by one of her critics that she "didn't smile enough," and openly question whether a man would be held to the same standard.
One reader, who admitted being a teacher at O'Hara, said teachers at the school believe Rogai is competent and "getting screwed."
"At the very least, the way this was handled is wrong, inappropriate, but mother church will get away with it because she can and the great silence will continue."
After an initial volley from lawyers on all sides and the archdiocese, no one is talking now. At least on the record. But lots of people are willing to weigh in with their opinions.
One of the most interesting calls I got was from an O'Hara alum who questioned the entire notion of the so-called Cardinal O'Hara Advisory Board, which voted for Rogai's ouster after the allegedly getting complaints about her from several parents.
He maintained that most O'Hara parents did not even know such a board existed, let alone the power they wielded over school personnel.
At a meeting Tuesday night of the Cardinal O’Hara Home and School Association, school President William McCusker said he would make the names of those serving on the Advisory Board available on the school’s website. He was good to his word.
If found the list on the website this morning:
Here it is:
Cardinal O’Hara Advisory Board: Mr. Tom Goldsmith, Board Chair; Paul Boston; Joe Kelly; Marty Meenan (1990); Jeanne Cordes (1974); Steve Giacobetti (1973); Regina Walker Fazio (1993); Stephen Thomas Dever ; Marty Farrell (1984); Bob Woods (1973); Jim Tulskie (1983); Dennis Cirucci (1968); Mike Bradley; John Caramanico (1974); William J. McCusker, School President; Jim Arnold - DIA (1972); Kim Toldero, School President’s Board Secretary. Cardinal O’Hara Advisory Board Members are appointed by the president of O’Hara.
He sounded like he has no intention of letting this story go quietly.
I'm starting to think he's right. And I wonder when the next wall will crumble, when and if Rogai and the man she accused of making unwanted physical contact will go to court to get the answers that so far have probed elusive.
Comments
Ask the Academic Board how they feel about what Rogai was doing. How dare she put academics before athletics?!
The cheerleaders were prevented from cheering because the assistant principal for student affairs at the time did not communicate administrative decisions with the cheerleading coaches. If he'd have done his job, perhaps that debacle could have been avoided. Rogai has too much class to air that dirty laundry even when she is attacked in the paper about it - it is unbecoming and unprofessional, etc. Because she stays quiet, she looks bad. Good thing we get to watch that ace strut around the building. Just another brilliant decision on the part of downtown.
The choir was removed from the stage because their appearance and behavior were inappropriate, especially for Mass. They were told numerous times to correct it and they did not. Have no fear, I am sure when he is here our principal will fix that mistake.
Issues with the track team? Why would she prevent night football games? I am positive that she did not instigate that issue. What list do you refer to?
I am just going to pretend that you did not call her evil. It is embarrassing that you feel the need to make such an attack. Unless of course by "evil" you mean "competent." And the disciplinarian? She may very well be next if she doesn't smile soon. Let's turn that frown upside down!! Evil? Again, embarrassing. I will be sure to warn the disciplinarian if I find out that the Advisory Board plans another double secret meeting. Speaking of which, has anyone seen the minutes of that meeting? Maybe Benedict Arnold has them since he's on the board? Ben? Little help?!
I have a few questions myself. If her superiors had a problem with what she was doing, why wasn't she given sufficient guidance and support to correct herself? If the diocese has a new vision for the leadership at O'Hara, why is it that none of us have been told what that vision is? Why is our smiley president still here if he is the leader of the building and let Rogai do such terrible things? Seems to me he should have gone first. His silence speaks volumes to the atmosphere here. But, oh wait, happy 50th!! Another question, is our part-time smiling principal the president's boss? Or is the smiley president his boss? Will either of them be able to keep that straight? This is a great arrangement though - I have every confidence in the guy who was a part of firing the previous principal even though he didn't agree with the decision. I am sure that our 3 assistant principals also have every confidence that he will have their backs when tough decisions need to be made. Heck, if we only need a principal for 3 days a week, why even hire a new principal?
If Rogai did so much wrong, why would the diocese offer her a position with more authority? You see, the loud teachers are glad she is gone. Those of us doing are jobs and tired of watching others not do their jobs, are not. I for one am not looking forward to the next few months of bs from downtown.
Go Lions!