Napa Parents, Students Rally For Ousted Principal

NAPA VALLEY, CA — The sudden departure this week of John Bordelon as principal of Justin-Siena High School, a private Catholic preparatory school in Napa, has left many students of the school and their parents in shock. In a statement Monday, Oct. 23, Board of Trustees President Robert Jordan announced "Justin-Siena has decided to part ways with Mr. John Bordelon, who has served as Principal these last two academic years, effective today."

Jordan said he also wanted "to make clear that this decision was in no way the result of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Bordelon or any liability related to Justin-Siena. This change was made following due diligence and consultation."

In a statement posted alongside Jordan's, Bordelon said in part: "While this change is difficult for many to comprehend, I am confident in the leadership of Justin-Siena and the future direction of the school."

Thursday, the school announced the hiring of Bay Area native Christopher Brady as the new principal. Brady started Friday in his new role.

Meanwhile, members of the school community have signed a petition on Change.org calling for Bordelon's reinstatement as principal.

"The unprofessional, mysterious, ill-timed decision, and lack of communication to the broader community regarding the sudden termination is inconceivable and unacceptable," supporters say on Change.org.

A website has also been established in support of bringing back Bordelon. The website was started by a "group of students, parents, teachers, alumni and donors organizing a two-prong effort" to reinstate Bordelon as principal and remove Jordan as president of the board.

"Students will leave, prospective students will go elsewhere, and donors will close their checkbooks," supporters say on the website. "This effort is necessary because Justin-Siena is worth saving."

In a statement Friday, the Board of Trustees said in part:

"Please know we have received your calls and inquiries, read your online comments and questions, are aware of the online petition, and we are listening. Allow us to provide some context in light of recent events. The Board of Trustees is an integral part of the leadership of Justin-Siena. We take seriously our charge from the De La Salle Christian Brothers to steward their mission and the Lasallian Catholic identity of the school. All schools directed by the De La Salle Christian Brothers in the Lasallian District of San Francisco are governed through policy governance, which allows for regular oversight of the school and the performance of the President in the school’s fulfillment of its Lasallian Catholic mission.

"The decision by the President has gone through an appropriate process. According to our governance model, the Board was duly informed on an on-going basis, and with this communication the Board considers this matter closed. We have been and will remain committed to honoring the confidential nature of the situation while also respecting the intrinsic dignity of all involved."

Image via Google Maps