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Mooney statement says former principal knows reasons for dismissal
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
A statement from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown says John Young, former principal at Cardinal Mooney High School, was informed of the reasons for his termination and though he doesn’t agree, both he and the school must move forward.
The statement was sent Wednesday afternoon to “members of the Cardinal Mooney Family” and members of the media.
“In recent days there has been a great deal of discussion, speculation and unfounded rumors about the separation” of Young from the school, it says.
It attributes much of the speculation to law it says prohibits an employer from divulging details of an employee’s personnel record to the public.
A private institution is unlike a public school, however, where personnel records, including performance evaluations, are public record.
The statement, which is signed by Young, Mary Fiala, interim schools superintendent; and the Rev. Gerald DeLucia, president of Mooney, says that despite “the impressions presented in the press and public statements attributed to Mr. Young, the reasons for this change were communicated to him.”
Young disagrees but acknowledges the issues have been discussed with him.
In interviews earlier this month with The Vindicator, Young, a Mooney alumnus, didn’t contend he wasn’t given reasons. He directed questions about the reasons for his termination to school and diocese officials.
“The reasons are not in any way related to any alleged illegal, criminal or immoral conduct by Mr. Young,” the statement says. “Both parties regret the firestorm created in the press and hope that this matter is put to rest.”
Young couldn’t be reached Wednesday and Atty. Lynn Sfara Bruno, who described herself as Young’s friend and counselor, wouldn’t say much about the issue.
“All I can tell you is everything’s been resolved very satisfactorily,” she said.
The statement says that with the decision made last spring to grow the school in its current location, the Catholics Schools office “determined that in order to take academic programs to new levels of excellence, a change was necessary.
“Again, while Mr. Young does not agree with this decision, he acknowledges that the decision was not made easily and that both he and the school must move forward,” it says.
From the beginning the diocese offered to honor the financial terms of his contract and “he is grateful,” the statement says, and Bishop George Murry, Father DeLucia and the Office of Catholic Schools are grateful to him for his 3.5 years at Mooney, the document says.
“Mr. Young continues to support Cardinal Mooney, its students and parents,” it says.
Young was terminated Jan. 15.
He said he was asked to retire or resign and when he wouldn’t, school and diocese officials fired him.
The decision drew criticism. Students showed up at a girls’ basketball game two days later, wearing “Forever Young” T-shirts. They rallied before school one morning last week, wearing those shirts, carrying posters and chanting that they wanted Young reinstated.
Those students also said they wanted to know the reason Young was removed. That was echoed by many in the community.
George Beshara, a 1973 Mooney alumnus, posted a message on a digital billboard outside his Market Street business, Pawn World Motors, showing his support for Young and asking Bishop Murry for an explanation.
“I just think he got a raw deal,” Beshara said.
Father DeLucia has secured financial gifts that will improve the building and provide more tuition assistance.
“With the continued support of many dedicated parents, students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni, Cardinal Mooney can grow, in sanctity, scholarship and discipline as its motto declares, into the new Mooney of the 21st century,” the statement says.