An anonymous $1 million gift to an Atlanta Catholic school has led to
a rift that resulted in the principal tendering her resignation and
angry parents protesting outside the school.
The controversy began last year when a graduate of
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School donated the money.
The pastor
of the church affiliated with the school sought the name of the donor,
but school principal Tricia DeWitt refused.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the
disagreement over the name, along with other tensions, resulted in
DeWitt's February resignation.
More than 150 parents have gathered at protests to try
to save the principal's job, and some worry the gift will be withdrawn.
Parent Sal DePasquale said he's embarrassed that the donor's generosity
became a source of conflict just "because people won't play nice in the
sandbox."
The Rev. James Schillinger, the church's pastor, did
not return requests for comment.
But Pat Chivers of the Catholic
Archdiocese of Atlanta has downplayed any link between the $1 million
gift and the resignation, saying DeWitt was not fired or forced to leave
the position.
Chivers said there are no plans to reinstate DeWitt and that administrators are looking for a replacement.