Questions Remain Regarding Salem's Abrupt Dismissal

By Kelly Urban
The Tribune-Democrat
October 19, 2013

http://tribune-democrat.com/news/x134984922/Questions-remain-regarding-Salem-s-abrupt-dismissal

JOHNSTOWN — It has been more than seven months since Bishop McCort Catholic High School’s trustees placed former Principal Ken Salem on administrative leave with no explanation as to why, and questions regarding his dismissal remain.

The action occurred following allegations by former students who said they had been molested by Brother Stephen Baker, who worked at McCort from the early 1990s through the early 2000s as a religion teacher and in the athletic department.

Those involved continue to be tight-lipped.

Salem was named principal in 2006, replacing Sr. Donna Marie Leiden, who had served in the position for nine years.

Leiden was appointed to the position of director of education for the the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, a position she still holds.

She was at McCort’s helm for some of the period that the abuse allegedly happened, but would not comment as to whether she was aware of any wrongdoing.

Tony DeGol, secretary for communications with the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, said he could not comment as to why Leiden continues to have a job while Salem was removed, even though Salem was not serving in an administrative position when the abuse reportedly occurred.

“The decision to let him (Salem) go from McCort was based on the board of trustees. They had their own reasons for what they did and that’s separate from our operations here,” he said. “We are two different organizations making our own decisions.”

In early June, McCort’s board released a public statement that said in part “The time has come for the community to accept that it may never know that which it does not know, and begin the healing process. To do any less is to harm those who have already been victimized and undermine the future of Bishop McCort. Now is the time for the entire Bishop McCort family to stand as one, committed to the future of the institution that has been instrumental in defining Catholic education in western Pennsylvania for nearly a century.”

Matt Beynon, McCort’s spokesman, said the statement is all the board would be saying on the situation and wouldn’t be commenting further.

“It’s the policy of the board not to comment on employee matters, and it remains private within the board and that individual,” he said.

As for Salem, he’s currently working in program development with Pace Consulting Solutions providing services to SeniorLIFE facilities across the state.

“I continue to support the students and teachers at Bishop McCort,” he said. “It is my hope that the search for a new principal is successful.”

Contact: kurban@tribdem.com