Nardin Academy in Buffalo announced the abrupt departure of its 24th president, John Thomas West III.
West joined Nardin last summer following a nationwide search for a new leader.But the board of trustees announced late Wednesday afternoon that West was ending his relationship 'immediately' with the school.
In a news release issued by the board it stated "the board and Mr. West, along with the leadership of the U.S. Provincial of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary [DHM], mutually agreed with the decision."
“Nardin and Mr. West mutually agreed to end our relationship and he will leave his post in Buffalo. We wish him the best,” said Charles Chiampou, board president. “Nardin Academy – Montessori, Elementary and High School – continues our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, with its three seasoned leaders in charge.”
Nardin's past president, Marsha Joy Sullivan, has agreed to serve as interim leader until a new president is chosen. The board will launch an immediately search for new leadership. "The goal is to have that person in place as soon as possible," stated the board news release.
“The president serves as the emotional and spiritual head of the school, develops and executes an effective fundraising strategy and effort, leads the school’s three divisions and is a hands-on leader who reports to the board,” Chiampou said. “We are confident we will find a new president to lead us into the future.”
One source tells WBFO News there were reportedly 'philosophical differences'. We've reached out to the board president for recorded comment.
Nardin is a private, Catholic school with a Montessori program, elementary school and an all-girls high school. It was found by the religious order, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary in 1857. Sullivan began serving as Nardin’s first lay president in 2008. When West was selected, it was announced that he would become the first male to serve as the school’s leader.
West arrived last July after accepting the position. He is the former headmaster at the Mirman School, a private school in Los Angles. He served there for 10 years. West is also the founder and artistic director of the Valyermo Dancers in Los Angles.
