Students came out Saturday Dec. 28, to once again show their support for Mark Zmuda, the vice-principal at Eastside Catholic School who lost his job when the school administration found out he had wed his gay partner last summer.
It is still unclear to many whether it was a “forced resignation,” or if he was fired.
Zmuda has kept out of the spotlight since the issue exploded onto multiple media outlets Dec. 19. However, he did allow one of the students at the school to interview him. A short clip from that interview, with Catrina Crittenden, was aired on KING 5.
Zmuda said “to set the record straight, I was terminated. I did not resign, I was let go.” When he asked why, he was told because he had violated Catholic teachings. He said he asked the administration if it was a breach of his contract, and they said no. He was terminated for marrying his partner.
Sister Mary Tracy, president and CEO of the school made Zmuda an offer. She suggested he dissolve the marriage to save his job, an offer she said she wasn’t proud of but that she would “own.”
At Saturday’s rally, Joseph Meehan, 17, a junior at Eastside Catholic, said he personally believed Zmuda was fired, due to his knowledge of a past experience with the school. Meehan said the LaCrosse coach left under unusual circumstances last year. He did not elaborate.
“We’re trying to bring the focus back to Eastside — this is about Mr. Z,” Meehan said. “The broader gay rights issue is important, but we can’t forget why we are here.”
Meehan said he taking an advanced calculus class and Zmuda was to give a lecture after the holiday, which he was looking forward to. Now, that won’t happen.
Alumni of the school are equally displeased with the situation. Corey Sinser said several alumni were meeting later in the evening “at a bar in Bellevue, like good Catholics,” to discuss plans.
“Ultimately it’s about supporting these students and Mr. Z,” said Sinser, a 2006 graduate. Sinser said Zmuda was forced out the door even though the administration is still saying he resigned. As far as Tracy’s suggestion that Zmuda dissolve his marriage, Sinser said if that’s true it’s pretty shocking.
“The Gospel compels us to love one another,” he said. “If that’s your understanding of that kind of love then your priorities are mixed up.”
Kristen Miller, a 1984 graduate of Holy Names, was at the rally with her son, Chris Miller, a senior at Eastside Catholic. Miller said Sister Tracy was the principal at Holy Names when she graduated. She said she tends to believe Zmuda’s side of the story, that he was terminated.
“I have fabulous things to say about Eastside Catholic, but not this time,” she said.
