Shake-up at St. Bernard’s school in Saranac Lake
Roman Catholic officials in Ogdensburg have intervened to dismiss the popular principal of Saranac Lake’s Catholic elementary school.
It had been reported that Anne Bayruns would stay on at the school, despite pleading guilty to a DUI.
Earlier this month, Bayruns told the Plattsburgh Press-Republican that she was happy with local support for her work at the school.
“The support of people in Saranac Lake has been amazing. It means that I’m focusing on the positives and on the good things I’m doing with my life.”
Here’s the press release issued by the Diocese of Ogdensburg:
Parents of St. Bernard’s students were told by Father Thomas E Kornmeyer that the employment contract of school principal Anne Bayruns will not be renewed at the end of June 2010.
The announcement was made at a special meeting Thursday morning.
“I have been instructed by the Bishop of our Diocese, Bishop-elect Terry LaValley, to not renew her contract for next year,” Father Kornmeyer said. “In light of this news, the Education Council and I have agreed that it would be in the best interest of the school and of the students that Ms Bayruns not return as principal effective immediately.”
This decision was made after Ms Bayruns entered a guilty plea in court for her September DUI arrest, violating her employment contract.
St. Bernard’s Education Council, with the support of Father Kornmeyer and the teachers, has elicited the support of two well-qualified people to lead the school academically and administratively until the end of the school year.
“With the unanimous and enthusiastic support of the teachers and Education Council at St. Bernard’s, Dorothy Altemus has agreed to serve as our academic coordinator and Jim Ellis has agreed to serve as administrator,” Father Kornmeyer said.
Dorothy Altemus was an elementary school teacher for more than 25 years and has served as a teacher’s mentor for several years at different schools, one of which is St. Bernard’s. Jim Ellis was principal in the Tupper Lake School District for many years.
A search for a new principal will be conducted in the next few months so a qualified person is in place by the beginning of the school year in September.
If only she had molested a student. Then all would be forgiven. Or ignored. No offense to Catholics, but I just don't get it.
Offense taken.
Sorry Paul, but I just don't understand the selected enforcement thing. Sorry if you took offense.
W, I agree with you that the Catholic Church has handled itself very poorly regarding priest's abusing children. There is no tolerance for that at all and everyone involved (including the pope) should be held accountable. I was just offended by how crude your comment was. I hear your sarcasm but even suggesting sarcastically that Saint Bernard's parish would somehow of ignored this woman if she molested a child is a pretty sad comment.
St. Bernard's is a mess. Teachers leaving, micromanaging parents, etc.Brian, someone needs to report on St. Bernard's "lost" academic year.
Paul, My comment was directed at the Diocese of Ogdensburg as they were the organization that ordered her removal. The very same organization that essentially ignored priest abuses in the past. My comment was not directed at St. Bernard's. Sorry if my sarcasm wasn't more clear, I apologize…
Warren,I get it. Thanks. I agree ignoring these matters is/was disgraceful.
Specifically though what did the Ogdensburg Diocese ignore on the molestation issue? I am not saying that they did not, I had just not heard that about this diocese? At some point these schools just are a drain on the Parishes, it is probably time to close most of them and I say that as a Catholic. The money would be better used to really fund religous education and Catholic youth groups for Catholic kids.
Mervel,A few years ago, the Watertown Daily Times ran an article about a particular priest (I don't recall his name) who was moved to a number of different parish's due to allegations he molested a number of children all over the course of several years. I may be wrong, but I believe NCPR also reported on this. I also recall viewing this story on the WWNY TV 7 evening news. I believe this priest was finally pressured to retire and don't believe he ever faced criminal charges.
Thanks Warren Haynes, I will check it out. The hard part in these accusations, is that it is just that; an accusation. So how do we best handle an accusation without any sort of criminal conviction or even prosecution or proof? I would like to see them removed obviosly for an investigation, but what to do if nothing concrete turns up? For me I would still say cut them loose. I do think the American Church has learned how to do this much better today than 10 years ago. At one time these Bishops thought that these guys could be reformed though counseling etc.But who knows. In this case though, come on she was really hammered in the morning driving on the sidewalk. I feel for her but she needs alcohol treatment, I think if she was able to do that and get sober she should be re-considered for the position.The long run future for most of the small Catholic schools is not good it may be time to cut the losses.
I believe Catholic schools should be held to the same standard as public schools.According to the 29th edition of 'School Law', "Generally, a teacher may be disciplined for off campus, off duty conduct only if it can be established that there is a connection, or nexus, between the off-campus conduct and the teacher's performance of his or her duties. According to the NY Court of Appeals, there is such a nexus "if the off-campus conduct in question directly affects the performance of the professional responsibilities of the teacher, or if, without contribution on the part of school officials, the conduct has become the subject of such public notoriety that it significantly and reasonably impairs his or her ability to discharge the responsibilities of the position" (Matter of Jerry, 35 N.Y. 2d534 (1974).Hope this helps.
It is about hypocrisy. The Catholic church has two sets of standards. It always has. It is male dominated and holds everybody not a priest to a higher standard. Here is one recent example to support my statement and tells you all you need to know. It also helps to explain why the Catholic Church is struggling today in many areas. It is more concerned with politics than it is with faithfully serving people."Dec 21, 2009 … Police in Central Pennsylvania charged a Catholic priest with driving under the influence of alcohol. … Little remains in his role as pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Newry, …"
Want more proof of the hypocrise in the Catholic Church? August 15, 2009:"Newly ordained Sheridan Wyoming priest, Fr Robert Spaulding, has started his new ministry just two years after being convicted of a drunk driving accident that killed two fellow seminarians."Aug.7, 2007 Denver:"Aug 8, 2007 … A Catholic priest faces an indecent exposure charge after police said he went … at parishes in the nearby towns of Mead and Erie, remains an active priest."The examples are endless….they are not an anomaly..
Mervel, to set the record straight: You said, "she was really hammered in the morning." Actually, Ms. Bayruns was arrested after 5pm. There's a big difference.
March 25, 2010 4:33 PMThat is a hard thing to prove. And decisions made using that ' standard" are generally reversed and most often " Overturned And Remanded " in State Supreme Court as in the 2007 case :September 2007 TermFILED __________No. 33325November 21, 2007 __________released at 10:00 a.m.RORY L. PERRY II, CLERKBRIAN M. POWELL, Petitioner Below, AppellantSUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIAv.STEVEN L. PAINE,STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,Hope this helps. A private school needs no standard, the public school is held to a higher standard.
Lakeplacidity,Thanks I stand corrected. I think people need to understand that the Catholic Church is not a monolithic empire run from the top.Each Diocese decides how to manage its own affairs, each diocese is funded locally and legally separate from every other Diocese, including the Diocese of Rome.So if one Diocese wants to keep a drunk Priest and another thinks it better not to have a grade school principle of a religious school be driving on the sidewalk drunk, then that is their call. Is it hypocritical? Maybe, but they are separate decisions made by separate groups.For me I would advocate for closing all of the Catholic School in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
Bishop-elect Terry LaValley most likely made this decision for economic reasons as much as anything else. He no doubt saw a chance to save a few thousand dollars by hiring someone new and an entry level salary. Money is the driving force behind most decisions made by the diocese as witnessed by the closing of local small town Catholic Churches.
But where does that money come from? If people in these parishes or these local schools want to support these small Churches or schools then they have to pay for them. There is no secret kitty of money, it all comes from the pews. The Diocese simply collects money from people in the Diocese and redistributes it. Catholic School teachers already make much much less than public school teachers, it is doubtful that this was an economic decision you would not save that much, unless the plan is a complete closure which would allow that money to be focused on other things in the Parish and Diocese.
It is like this, the church is trying to clean things up. Think about it would you want your child to ride in a car or bus on a feild trip with someone that has been drinking. The Bishop Elect is a good man and strong in his teachings. He would do anything to make sure the people in this churchs are safe. He beleives the children are the church's furture he has come in to the schools and tought class when teachers are sick. yes there has been problems with the church in the past He is trying to work on your furture. You can not tell me that there is not someone in your family or a friend that has not done horbal that you just could not belive that they could do something like that. Afteryou come to the know for sure you do your best to fix thing in your life and make things better.This is what he is trying to do.He is trying to get is house in order. Give him a change to do so.
I thought the bible tought forgiveness? No one's even mention this teaching of your good book. My mother,RIP, left me with the word's There but for the grace of god go I". Molesting little kids is another matter. Decent people get DUI's so what !! move on get a life and forget and forget! Signed "sick of religous hypocrites".
mervel You are right about the redistribution of money by the Diocese. And that is the problem. I think the long term plan is not to redistribute that money for the advancement of those that already belong to the Church, but is sent out of the local Diocese to help in the ultimate goal of the Church, which is to convert more people to Catholicism in other Countries. And let us not forget where all that money to pay off all the abused kids from Priests comes from. The same local Diocese and all those like it. That is about money. I suspect the school in this article will be out of business soon enough. Collateral damage. Those kids are already Catholic, no need to invest much in them anymore. So much for redemption and forgiveness and helping the "flock" to live a better life. Nice words though.
Actually, many of the children at St. Bernard's are not Catholic.
I think the accounting of each Diocese is really open. You can get a financial accounting for exactly where the Bishops Fund goes. Some does indeed go to overseas missions, but it is a small amount. As far as this case goes, I don't know it does not seem unreasonable that you would fire her. But as forgiveness goes, losing your job is NOT about forgiveness or not, she is certainly totally forgiven for anything she has done through confession and repentance. But my advice is if you don't like what the Catholic Church does with its money give to the Methodists or some place else, it is a voluntary act.
The catholic church is evil! I grew up catholic. Look at the molestations that have been covered up for years! GOD FORGIVES???? This was all I ever heard in church! The catholic church is a farse and a money grab. It has been a haven for pedofiles for years. In my opinion the catholic church should be taken care like the government took care of WACO in Texas with the grand dividian group. Catholic criminals are on the same level as terrorists. (child molesters!!!) No wonder they have close all of the churches and schools. People are fed up. The poor woman probably drove and drank because she knew too much about the catholic corruption connected with the catholic church. Terry Lavalley used to be a priest in our town. Shame on him!!!!
The Catholic church, starting with the Vatican, is really funded through a Pyramid scheme. That is how it works. Same as any Government or Governing Body. It has made the Vatican the largest real estate company in the world and a leader in financial institutions, especially in Italy. The history of the Vatican and the State have been well noted and recorded. A Diocese or school is at the bottom of that pyramid and not really worth mentioning. That school will be no more soon enough and that will be that.
Well I am really sorry you guys feel that way about a Church that has brought me so much joy and peace. I doubt there is anything I could say to change your opinions so I just encourage you on your walk. I will say that as far as finances go everything the Church has is simply a donation from a Catholic family, be it land or money. Indeed the Church has always had a policy of holding on to all land donated to it, probably longer than it has needed to.Peace.
Mervel No need to feel sorry for anybody. No one is going to change your mind either. And that is just fine too. All the best to you too.
Catholic School Teacher,I read the Blogs and was surprised at how wrong some were about the way the Diocese, or even a Catholic School functions. Many were on target, but some small minded comments that were accusing and generalizing, well frankly I found them quite shocking. We are held to quite stringent standards. There is a moral clause in our contracts that prohibits immoral acts on and off duty hours. We work hard to educate and nurture our children. Presence in the community is a huge key to educating the whole child.The Principal broke her contract. I have seen other be dismissed for much less. (Like not attending Mass regularly.) She made her choice knowing what the consequences could be. It is sad, but reality.To rant about abuse and throw stones on Catholic Education is not fair. In fact it feels like bullying.Signed Sad to hear your opinions.
Of topic mostly here ,,Have a open forum otherwise this gossip and speculation will just go on and on ,I personally think its rediculous to fire someone for ssuch a problem. I got a DUI a couple years ago and am a better person for it now . I think if the priciple is the samer it would be a plus to the School . A bit of reflection and humiliation teaches you about yourself and hoew to treat others better. It s natures way of checking your ego.