APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The former Xavier High School principal, who was fired last week, says he accepts the school’s decision. Mike Mauthe was fired after a complaint was filed against him, with the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.
According to a letter sent to Xavier families, on Thursday, Mike Mauthe was relieved of his duties following an investigation that has now been turned over to police.
“No petitions, no protesting…just let our community begin to heal,” that’s what former Xavier High School Principal Mike Mauthe wrote in a letter that is posted on a Facebook page.
The post, shared by former Xaiver students who started the “We Stand with Mike Mauthe!” Facebook page, showing their support for the terminated principal.
In the post, Mauthe said, “The truth is I am not a perfect person.” He continued, “I am not a victim. I broke a policy and accept the consequences for doing so. No excuses, no caveats. During my career, I did not always maintain proper boundaries of communication…I need to be better and I own my failures for any times that I’ve fallen short of who I strive to be.”
According to a letter, sent to Xavier families by Katie Heim, Interim President of Xavier Catholic Schools, a complaint, about Mauthe, was filed with the Green Bay Diocese Safe Environment Office.
While Heim didn’t elaborate on the complaint, the Diocese website says the office investigates:
- Harassment
- Boundary issues
- Threats of violence, concerning behavior by clergy, staff, or volunteers
- Misconduct
- Anything that someone may find stressful or out of the ordinary and feel compelled to bring forward regarding clergy, staff, or volunteers
The online complaint form says it’s not an emergency reporting system. For urgent matters, complainants should call 911.
According to a news release from the Diocese, police weren’t notified until after the Diocese and school leadership completed their own investigation. And while Appleton Police acknowledged it was conducting an investigation, but because it is ongoing, authorities had no comment.
Mauthe, in his online post, said “I appreciate the love and support. And of course, all of the horrible things that come to mind when you read the release are things I would never do.”
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