STATEMENT OF NARDIN TOGETHER
Nardin Together is a group of concerned parents, alumni, and community members that aims to foster open dialogue, collaboration, and transparent communication between the Board of Trustees and the Nardin community. To date, despite repeated requests, the Board of Trustees has failed to engage Nardin Together in any conversation.
On April 7, 2023, the Board of Trustees disseminated an email correspondence advising that “Nardin Academy’s Board of Trustees holds its governance and fiduciary responsibilities- as well as its stewardship of Nardin Academy, its mission and its values- in the highest regard… we recognize the urgency of the current state of affairs, and we are deeply committed to both addressing any issues regarding the Academy’s leadership and creating the best plan for Nardin’s immediate and long-term future.” In follow up, on April 20, 2023, Chairwoman, Tish VanDyke, emailed the community stating, “your concern about the significant impact that the current situation has had on the members of our Nardin community, including our faculty and staff, is one I share.” Yet, it was not until May 3, 2023, nearly one month after acknowledging the urgency of the situation, that the Board of Trustees met to discuss the issues facing Nardin Academy. In our view, the Board of Trustees failed to act in the best interest of Nardin Academy. Instead of embracing the nine Trustees who advocated for the Nardin community, it forced their resignation and allowed Dr. Betters to remain as President until June 30, 2023. Due to the instability created by the Board of Trustees, hundreds of students, despite their deep commitment to Nardin Academy, have yet to enroll for next year.
The Board of Trustees has failed to release any specific details for the “plan for healing and growth” and has likewise failed to communicate dates for the forums that were promised to take place in May. The Board of Trustees continues to fail Nardin stakeholders by abandoning its duties of due care, honesty, objectivity, trustworthiness, and efficiency.
We believe the Daughters of the Heart of Mary are firmly committed to the future of Nardin Academy, and with their wisdom and guidance, Nardin Academy will recover from these recent challenges. However, we also believe that the only path forward to recovery is for the Board of Trustees to resign and for a new Board, led by new representatives from the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, be immediately installed. In this way, the new Board of Trustees will be able to appoint an Interim President and other trusted individuals to the Board who are committed to rebuilding a stronger Nardin Academy. It is time for Nardin Academy to return to its mission to inspire hearts and minds to do amazing things for the world through faith, character, academic excellence, and service.
Respectfully,
Nardin Together