BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — After weeks of protests calling for her resignation, Nardin Academy President Dr. Sandra Betters is stepping down from her role.
Nine Nardin Academy Board of Trustees members will also step down.
"Honestly, I would say I'm relieved. this has been probably one of the best days of school since she's been here. Just seeing the look on my faculties faces, all smiles all day long," declared Molly Griffin, junior, Nardin Academy.
"Now that Dr. Betters has resigned, I feel much more optimistic about the future of Nardin," stated Jennifer Parks, school parent and alumnae.
In a statement sent to 7 News late Wednesday night, the Board of Trustees says Betters will step down effective June 30.
Betters' resignation comes after weeks of community-wide protests claiming her leadership created a "toxic" environment. A large portion of the school community has been calling for Betters to resign after more than 20 teachers left.
Nardin students hosted a walkout last month in support of their teachers. This past Sunday a large portion of the school community held another demonstration.
Students told 7 News that since President Betters was hired two years ago, the learning environment deteriorated, and some faculty members left.
At the same time, the leadership continue to claim Nardin needs to become more diverse and less of an "elite" school, and too many were resisting the cultural shift.
Parks has two daughters attending Nardin. Her oldest, a senior, graduates next Friday. Her other daughter will graduate from 8th grade and attend Nardin High School next school year.
“It's so disheartening and untrue. I've been part of this school for half of my life. The school has never been as diversified as it is today. “It’s flat-out false. In fact, there was a letter that had come earlier this year insinuating that parents were against it and I was so offended and wrote to the board 'Where are you getting this from’ — this is not a fair cast to put on parents,” remarked Parks.
Griffin, a high school junior, says she believes students are working toward being “well-rounded”.
"While we do have a majority of Caucasian students, I do think that we're working more in the future on getting more diverse students section and I would say that we do try and educate ourselves more on the world around us,” replied Griffin.
Last month, nine board members split from the larger board demanding the president leave. A number of major donors and families were also withholding donation dollars and tuition payments.
In the meantime, board members are working on a transition plan.
School families are hoping the path at Nardin is finally settled for the sake of students, especially as they head into their next school year.
"I was relieved to find out that I will be coming back to Nardin again next year because there was a lot of uncertainty about where I would be going because we were afraid that a lot of the teachers will leave,” Griffin reflected. “Most of the teachers here don't do it for the money. They do it for the students and that's why we love them so much."
“I just want Nardin to be what we all signed up for Nardin — a nurturing environment — a community that builds all the children up for their future,” responded Parks.
The board of trustees plan will include the hiring of an interim President.
But Parks said even as the school prepares for Betters to leave, she has a number of questions for the board.
"I want to know how are they deciding who the interim is and what do those qualifications look like. What are these healing sessions that they've talked about? We want to participate. We are all about healing,” Parks commented. “What is the future of the school? What is the ideology of the school going to be? These are important questions that we need to know and we also need to make sure that our teachers are taken care of.”
The full trustees' statement reads:
"The Nardin Academy Board of Trustees has come together and agreed upon the following measures that will enable the school to move forward as a united community, focused on stability, renewal, healing, and growth.
These include:In accordance with these measures, nine members of the Nardin Board of Trustees have agreed to step aside from the Board. We are grateful for the dedication and commitment that they have shown to Nardin, and we thank them for their service to the school.
- Dr. Sandra Betters has informed the Nardin Academy Board of Trustees that for the betterment of all within the Nardin community, including students and employees, she will be stepping down from her role as President of Nardin Academy as of June 30. Dr. Betters would like to thank her team and the Daughters for their support and ongoing commitment to Nardin Academy and its students.
- In the coming days and weeks, the Board will be working collaboratively on a transition plan. This will include the hiring of an interim President as well as building out, and implementing, the school’s “Plan for Healing and Growth” which we believe will enable the school to harness and activate our collective love for Nardin as a beacon for Catholic values and educational excellence and strengthen the school for current and future generations.
As a Board, we remain united in our unwavering commitment to serve as custodians of the school’s fiduciary and governance oversight, stewards of its mission values, and champions for the legacy of our founders, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. We firmly believe that these decisions are what is best and right for Nardin Academy and the entire Nardin community, especially its current and future students."
Friday morning, the board of trustees issued another statement:
"The third party assessment, initiated by Nardin’s Board of Trustees, showed no wrongdoing or misconduct on Sandra’s part. We are grateful for Sandra’s hard work, professionalism, and her unwavering support of the mission of Nardin and the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. As a Board, we have begun to review the assessment report and we look forward to initiating the school’s “Plan for Healing and Growth.” In addition, we will schedule community forums where other findings of the assessment will be shared. The Board will listen to concerns well as opportunities, and we will engage the community in our path forward, which includes the continuing role of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary."
Nardin Together, a group of concerned parents, alumni, and community members, helped organize recent rallies and created a petition for Betters' resignation.
The group released a statement in response to the changes, commending the Board of Trustees for addressing their concerns.
Nardin Together's statement reads:
"We commend the Board of Trustees for addressing the current crisis and are optimistic that Nardin Academy will quickly move beyond the negative shadow cast as a result of this tumultuous time. We now turn our focus on rebuilding the trust and confidence of Nardin's students, faculty, staff, and supporters with the lessons learned from this challenging experience.
We express our deep gratitude to the nine courageous Trustees for their persistence, devotion, and sacrifice for the school. We likewise thank all Nardin stakeholders, including the students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, donors, and friends, for their perseverance and commitment.
We look forward to working collaboratively with the future leadership and Board of Trustees to “inspire hearts and minds to do amazing things for the world through faith, character, academic excellence and service.”
We look forward to working together with you in the rebuilding of Nardin. In the interim, it is imperative that the Board provide answers to the following:
· What is the role and administrative powers of Sandra Betters for her remaining time at Nardin?
· Does the separation from Sandra Betters preclude her from speaking about Nardin Academy and the mental health of our students
This was discussed in her dissertation and consent is a concern amongst parents.
· What will the selection process be for hiring the interim President?
· What will the process be for rebuilding the Board and how will you ensure representation of Nardin Together - specifically parents and alumni?
· Will the responsibilities once enjoyed by the four Nardin principals be fully restored and when?
· What is the timeline for the in-person meetings intended for May (Healing and Growth Working Groups mentioned on 4.20.2023)?
· When will the results of the assessment report be published to the Nardin community?
These questions require immediate responses as parents are still uncomfortable. Clarity about next steps is needed by stakeholders before placing deposits. Additional questions will follow, but we request your response as soon as possible. Should the answers not be readily available, please provide a timeline so the Nardin community has assurances about the future of the school.
Communication and transparency will help rebuild trust within the Nardin community."
In partnership,
Nardin Together
