Sister Mary Tracy probably realized that firing Mark Zmuda, the popular vice principal of Eastside Catholic High School in the Seattle area, was never going to sit well. Just how much of a firestorm it provoked must have caught her by surprise. Now it’s Tracy’s turn to look for a new job. She has resigned as president and CEO of the school, effective immediately.
“For Sister Mary it was a difficult but necessary decision so that a new leader can be brought in to ensure the entire Eastside Catholic community is on a positive path forward,” the school said in a statement.
Part of Tracy’s problem was the conflicting stories around Zmuda’s dismissal. She said that he tendered his resignation, which Zmuda insists he was terminated once the school found out he married his long-time partner. She didn’t help her case any when Zmuda also said that Tracy floated the idea that he get divorced in order to keep his job.
Meantime, the school has allowed another teacher to stay on under similar circumstances. Stephanie Morrow, a part-time music coach, plans to marry her female partner and told the school as much. However, the school is keeping her on as an independent contractor, not an employee.
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Meanwhile, the protests against Zmuda’s firing continue. Last week, the Archdiocese of Seattle was presented with a petition signed by 30,000 people calling for Zmuda’s reinstatement. In response, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain said, “The recent personnel decision by the board and administrators of Eastside Catholic regarding Mr. Zmuda was made after a great deal of prayer and consultation. In no way was their goal to be discriminatory to anyone but to be faithful to their mission as a Catholic school.”
Now how could firing someone for being gay ever be considered discriminatory?
Photo credit via Eastside Catholic High School
Spike
Good riddance, hater.
HirsuteOne
So she fires the much loved vice prinicpal, divides the community, destroys the morale of the school and then flies off to some convent in the Alps? Her name should be Sister Mary Cluster_uck.
Fitz
She found integrity and did the right thing. Unlike the Vice Principle who happily worked for an anti-gay organization and then complained when their anti-gay positions hurt him personally.
DShucking
Interesting development.
tjr101
She looks sex starved.
TinaTheGreat
Catholic schools have CEOs?
Taliaferro
She should not only resign but do the stations of the cross publically and on her knees while wearing a hair shirt and whipping here back – then one MIGHT believe she was sorry. What a miserable excuse for a nun, for a Christian and for a human being. As for the diocese, well what do you expect. Bigoted old men who have never loved another or who are so closeted they cannot admit to it.
Gordon
Closeted, Teallaferro, you are saying closeted? I think not! Owning a bath house a few skipps and hops from the Vatty Can and you say they are closeted? I think not, my dear, I think not. (Lets book a flight and go visit just to make sure? You think? Hee hee!)
DCFarmboi
Notice the Archbishop did not take ownership of the authority to fire the teacher but put it on the board of trustees. We just might see the Board bring back the teacher and the Archbishop will issue a statement supporting “traditional marriage” but noting he has no authority over the independent board’s actions.
krystalkleer
her last good deed i suppose she feels…now she’s off to cure the lepers…and feed the starve’n!…TWAT LICK!
PARKAVMAN
The Archbishop is full of crap.
oilburner
Why is everyone so shocked and upset by this teacher being fired. As messed up as it is we all need to remember that this guy worked for the Catholic Church I would have been more surprised if they would have continued to employ him and if they would have congratulated him after marrying his partner. . Was it jacked up that they fired him? Yes. Am I surprised he got canned. No.
oilburner
@TinaTheGreat: of course they do Catholic schools make a lot of money off the tuition they charge its a big business with lots of money to be made
Musk
Whenever I hear them praying extra loud, I always go out and check the lock on the smokehouse.
*Harry Truman*