A Reply, Of Sorts

Yesterday, I received the following email about NDA's big fundraiser:

Subject: 16th Annual NDA Golf Tournament
Dear Alumna,
The Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 1:30 PM at Pembroke Country Club, a new location for NDA. Registration starts at noon. This is our biggest fundraiser for the NDA Annual Fund which supports the operating budget of the school. We're counting on our alumnae to help make this a record-breaking year! Are you a golfer? Do you know a golfer? No matter what your skill level, sign up and support NDA! We also need items for the raffle and auction, as well as sponsorships and general donations. Click here for more information and to register today.
Questions? E-mail advancement@ndahingham.com.

Well, I thought, I DO have a question. I want to know why they "terminated" Mary Ellen when she was ready to return from her Medical Leave of Absence. So, I clicked that link & posed my question! I never expected a reply. I just wanted to "vent" & let someone there know that there are people who are not happy about what happened & that WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!

Today, I received the following reply to my query:

While personnel matters are kept confidential at NDA, like many places, I can assure you that Mary Ellen Cassani was not fired. I can confirm that she did not return to NDA and a search has begun for a new principal for the 2008-2009 school year. Mrs. Katie Colin ’89 will continue as interim principal for the remainder of this year.

In a letter to our parents, NDA’s President, Sister Barbara Barry wrote, “Mrs. Cassasni’s contributions to her alma mater spanned many years and she served the school well in her many roles – teacher, campus minister, assistant principal and as principal last year. She made a difference in the lives of hundreds of students over the years, inspiring many to science-related careers. Her love of St. Julie Billiart is evident in all she does. I am grateful for the mark she has made on Notre Dame Academy and we all wish her well in the future.” Mrs. Cassani is a beloved member of our alumnae community and I thank you for your concern.

With best regards,
Lynn Page Flaherty
Director of Institutional Advancement
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
1073 Main Street
Hingham, MA 02043
781-749-5930, ext. 246
www.ndahingham.com

At least there is someone at Notre Dame who is polite enough to acknowledge my query (even if it is only with the "company line".) It is better than being completely ignored. However, I took exception to her comment that "I can assure you that Mary Ellen Cassani was not fired." So, I wrote her back:

"I can assure you that Mrs. Cassani did not leave by her own choice. AND she was given no plausible explanation for her termination. She is heartbroken by the treachery that befell her while she was on Medical Leave. Her hands (& mouth) were bound by a confidentiality agreement.
Letters written to the NDA Board have gone unanswered."

And to her credit, she replied again:

I wish I knew more I could share. I arrived here in August and haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Cassani in person, but I've heard such wonderful things about her. I'm happy to talk in person (my number is below), but I doubt there is anything I might say that can help at this point. I'm a firm believer in responding--especially to alumnae--even if I don't have the information you desire, but I know it's of little consolation.
Lynn