Catholic schools' contract holds teachers to a different standard

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) According to the Fort Wayne – South Bend Diocese, former coach Matt Lindsay was terminated because of "violations of school and Diocesan polices and his violations of his employment contract obligations."

NewsChannel 15’s Adam Widener tracked down sample teacher contracts in a 15 Finds Out Report.

Sample teacher contract with the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese

and

Sample public school contract

According to the documents, public school teachers' contracts in Indiana can be canceled for several reasons, one of which is immorality.

The catholic schools’ contract, that Lindsay most likely signed, is similar to the one with public schools, with some religious differences.  It states:

"A teacher may be terminated prior to its expiration, or not renewed, for reasons relating to improprieties regarding Church teachings or laws....[and] failure to follow diocesan policies and procedures..."

Attorney Tuck Hopkins has represented public and private school districts for 35 years and explained the different guidelines for religious school teachers.

"It's very unusual because you have this promise, a written promise by teachers that they're going to comply with the tenets of the church, and the final decision maker is the highest authority in the area.  In the Catholic Church for example, it would be the bishop," Hopkins said.  "Whether private or public, in Indiana I will tell you over the course of my career, it appears to me that teachers are held generally to a high standard,” said Hopkins.

Below is the Indiana Code, 20-28-7.5-1 , that covers Grounds for cancelation as applicable to teachers:

(e) A contract with a teacher may be canceled immediately in the manner set forth in sections 2 through 4 of this chapter for any of the following reasons:

(1) Immorality.

(2) Insubordination, which means a willful refusal to obey the state and alcohol laws or reasonable rules adopted for the governance of the school building or corporation.

(3) Justifiable decrease in the number of teaching positions.

(4) Incompetence, including receiving:

(A) an ineffective designation on (2) consecutive performance evaluations under IC 20-28-11.5 ; or

(B) an ineffective designation or improvement necessary rating in three (3) years of any five (5) year period.

(5) Neglect of duty

(6) A conviction of any offense listed in IC 20-28-5-8 (c).

(7) Other good or just cause.