INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The father of a Roncalli High School guidance counselor suspended because of her same-sex marriage has now been told by school officials he is no longer needed at the Catholic school either.
Shelly Fitzgerald has confirmed her father, Patrick Fitzgerald, was told by the school administration he would no longer be invited to work at Roncalli’s Senior Retreat.
Patrick reportedly spent 26 years working with the program.
Shelly said her father told her he was “heartbroken” after school officials told him because of “issues over the last five months” he would not be invited back.
After she was suspended, Shelly filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Roncalli’s president did not respond to a request for comment.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The principal of Roncalli High School admitted in a voice message apology to parents that he used a racial slur during an all-school assembly on Friday.
In the message, Principal Chuck Weisenbach said while discussing the importance of empathy with students, he provided examples of words that should never be tolerated. That’s when, according to the apology, he said the “N word.”
In the apology, he said the racial slur was not used in a derogatory way but to illustrate the word’s ugliness.
Weisenbach’s full statement to parents, faculty and staff:
Today, during an all-school assembly, I made a mistake I deeply regret.
While discussing the importance of empathy with our students, I provided examples of words that should not be tolerated. Among the list of words and phrases was the “N word.” I, in no way, used the word in a derogatory fashion, but instead to illustrate its ugliness.
I do sincerely apologize for the offense or hurt even hearing the word may have caused. As educators, we are often tasked with discussing uncomfortable matters, especially as it relates to race and discrimination.
I am deeply sorry and in no way intended for my attempt at educating our students to hurt anyone. I ask for your grace and forgiveness in this matter.
Please know of my total commitment – and that of the entire RHS faculty and staff – to building an inclusionary culture where all are welcome and belong.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss this individually; I welcome the chance to do so.
Sincerely,
Chuck Weisenbach, Principal
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Parents at Roncalli High School had their first chance to talk to the school administration about the school’s decision to place a female guidance counselor on paid leave, after they found out she married a woman.
Parents have expressed outrage that Shelly Fitzgerald is on leave.
Only 20 parents were allowed inside this meeting.
Julie Aldrich was one of the parents inside.
She said all 20 parents spoke and supported Fitzgerald. Some of the Roncalli High School administration attended, including the principal.
Aldrich said some parents talked about pulling donations to the school and others said they’re concerned what Roncalli High School will look like on a college application.
She said parents expressed concern about the school potentially asking Fitzgerald to end her marriage to continue working at the school. She said parents told administrators they are asking her to destroy a family.
News 8 was told many parents read statements in Thursday’s meeting, and a few asked questions.
One question was whether the same standard of punishment for breaking the school’s morality clause is being applied for other potential violations. Aldrich said she was pleasantly surprised with the meeting because the administrators in attendance listened and answered every question they could.
Aldrich said by the end, the meeting had been emotional for everyone, including the administrators.
Meanwhile, other supporters of Fitzgerald waited outside the meeting with signs.
“People feel strongly she shouldn’t lose her job because of who she loves. She’s a married woman and it shouldn’t be a problem for anyone,” said Angie Rooney, who has a daughter at the high school.
Rooney said she would be attending a meeting next week.
Shelly Fitzgerald did sign a contract that said she would follow the Catholic church’s belief that marriage is between a man and woman.
Three other meetings with parents are scheduled for the coming weeks: Aug. 28, Sept. 4 and Sept. 6. Those meetings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. They are all limited to 20 people.
Call 317-787-8277 for details.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and alumni of Roncalli High School gathered on Thursday night to call for change to a school policy after a guidance counselor at the school was asked to dissolve her same-sex marriage or else resign from her position.
On Monday, guidance counselor Shelly Fitzgerald told News 8 someone showed her marriage certificate to school leaders, who said if she didn’t resign or end her marriage, her contract would not be renewed. Fitzgerald said she got married in 2014 and hid her relationship from school leaders throughout her 15 years at Roncalli.
Students and alumni held a protest outside the school on Tuesday.
“Whatever the decision is, I’m hoping that Shelly can stay and make a change. I believe that this is the time we’ve waited for. I think that Shelly was chosen by God. I think she is as she’s quoted, ‘the catalyst of this.’ We all support her; we all love her; the kids adore her. This has got to be changed, and it’s got to be now,” said Angela Goffinet, a Roncalli alumna.
In a Facebook post Monday, which has since been deleted, the school stated that Fitzgerald was still an employee and that school leaders would not go into details on personnel matters.
According to a statement from the school, Fitzgerald signed a contract that clearly states employees must follow the must support the teachings of the Catholic church, including “the belief that all persons are called to respect human sexuality and its expression in the Sacrament of Marriage between a man and a woman….”
On Tuesday, Fitzgerald said she had been put on paid leave and school leaders had asked her to stay off campus.
Former school board member Dan Parker joined the support for Fitzgerald when he resigned this from the board this week.
Parker sent News 8 his resignation letter which says in part:
“I’ve always believed that the Roncalli community was strong because of the family members and the wonderful staff that included Shelly. The student body and our recent alumni can be added to that strength. Clearly, we are doing something right when our young students and graduates understand better than some older adults that love is love, commitment is commitment and marriage is marriage no matter who opens their heart to those wonderful gifts from God.”
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A Roncalli High School employee said her job is in jeopardy because of her same-sex marriage.
Shelly Fitzgerald graduated from Roncalli and works as a guidance counselor at the Catholic high school on the city’s south side.
Fitzgerald told News 8 someone showed her marriage certificate to school leaders, who said if she didn’t resign or end her marriage, her contract would not be renewed.
“The Catholic faith, to me, is love, understanding and forgiveness,” Fitzgerald’s friend, Shawn Aldrich, said.
Aldrich said his daughter, a junior at Roncalli, passed out rainbow heart stickers to her classmates Monday morning to show support for Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald declined News 8’s request for an interview, and her attorney did not respond to our messages.
“Hopefully both parties will sit down together and will be able to talk about the differences and come to a peaceful solution,” Aldrich said.
In a Facebook post Monday, the school stated that Fitzgerald was still an employee and that school leaders would not go into details on personnel matters.
The post also said employees must support the teachings of the Catholic church, including “the belief that all persons are called to respect human sexuality and its expression in the Sacrament of Marriage between a man and a woman….”
“It’s a tough issue. It’s a dividing issue,” Aldrich said. “We (Roncalli students and alumni) do what’s right and will rise to the occasion.”
Fitzgerald said she got married in 2014 and hid her relationship from school leaders throughout her 15 years at Roncalli.
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
Full post from Roncalli High School:
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — For one prep baseball star, there is a phone call on the way that is rarely received by an Indianapolis area code.
Fans of the Roncalli baseball team this postseason know it’s for center fielder Nick Schnell and they hope it’s the first of many.
As far as college plans, he’s already been sought out by at least one school, but he may have to pass. Schnell is on the cusp of becoming only the 10th Indiana prep player since 2000 to be picked in the first two rounds in the major league draft.
“You hear about the California, Florida, Texas kids all the time, so having Indiana next to my name gives me a little bit of pride,” Schnell said.
So that is how Nick Schnell looked at it, 200 days to get his work done. With four days until the draft begins, he’ll compete in playoffs this weekend and then on Monday, he’ll await Round 1 of the major league draft.
“Monday, it will be interesting. I don’t think we are going to be having any food; the plan is to just sit there and watch TV. I am going to be so nervous, I don’t think I will be able to eat. I will just be pacing in my living room.”
Saturday is just as important. Roncalli faces theCathedral Irish, a team Schnell is 0-6 against, in regional playoffs.
Click on the video for more.
Ben Davis defeats Roncalli 45-32.
Roncalli defeats Brebeuf 53-46.
Roncalli defeats Cardinal Ritter 50-46.
Cathedral defeats Roncalli 52-39.