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	St. Cecilia Principal Fired Accused of Financial Misconduct By William Croyle and Amanda Van Benschoten Cincinnati Enquirer March 6, 2008 http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/NEWS0102/803060380 INDEPENDENCE - Felony criminal charges are being pursued by Independence police against Clint Green, who was fired Monday from his job as principal of St. Cecilia School. Green, 33, was terminated "due to financial impropriety," according to a letter sent to parents Tuesday by the Rev. Mario Tizziani, the parish's parochial administrator. Independence Police Captain Tony Lucas said Wednesday that the department was notified by the parish a week ago that funds, believed to be in excess of $300, were missing from either the church or school. Lucas said two detectives have been assigned to the case. Theft by unlawful taking in Kentucky is a felony when the amount exceeds $300. The Commonwealth's attorney has been notified, Kenton County police are also investigating and the parish is cooperating in the matter, Lucas said. He declined to give more specifics. "Our investigation is continuing, and we are still trying to interview people, including Mr. Green," Lucas said. No charges have been filed, but that didn't prevent the parish from dismissing Green. "I think from the text of the letter (to parents), it's clear that enough was shown to make this decision and turn it over to police," said Tim Fitzgerald, spokesman for the Diocese of Covington. And apparently, this is not Green's first run-in with the law. According to a report obtained from the Administrative Office of the Courts, he was found guilty of shoplifting (under $300) in 1999 in McCracken County in western Kentucky. He received a 30-day suspended sentence and two years of probation. Fitzgerald said the Diocese was aware of that conviction when Green was hired. He said Green included it on his application and a Diocese background check confirmed it. The only charges that will automatically eliminate a job candidate with the Diocese are convictions for violence or sexual misconduct. In other cases, like a shoplifting misdemeanor, the individual schools or parishes can make their own judgment on the effect criminal records may have. Green was hired as principal in 2006 after teaching at the school for two years. St. Cecilia has roughly 300 students in grades P-12. The school's Web site says Green has seven years of overall teaching experience in grades 5-8 in civics, religion and social studies. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from St. Louis University and Master Catechist certification from Xavier University. The site also says he belongs to several organizations, including Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society, National Catholic Educational Association, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, National Middle School Association and National Association of Secondary School Principals. Green is listed on the Heritage Foundation's PolicyExperts.org Web site as an expert on issues such as church/state relations, parental education choices, religious freedom, public school financing and entrepreneurship. Ray Hildebrand, a consultant for diocesan schools, will help manage the school until a permanent principal is named. Hildebrand was once the principal at St. Mary School in Alexandria.
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