Wes Porter in a 2016 photo provided by Damien Memorial School
The religious order that runs Damien Memorial School in Kalihi has removed its lay president and CEO and replaced him with a member of its order after concerns were raised over the school’s direction.
Wes Porter, who was appointed in 2016, has been replaced with Christian Brother Brian M. Walsh, according to a Jan. 3 press release by the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America.
“In recent months, it had become apparent to the Brothers that Mr. Porter’s style of leadership at Damien Memorial was in direct conflict with the school’s mission as an Edmund Rice Christian Brother school,” the release said. “Thus, it was the sole decision of the Members of the Corporation of Damien Memorial, the legal entity that owns the school, to move in a new direction.”
The announcement also said that the corporation dissolved Damien Memorial’s Sponsor Council, which was a part of its governing structure, and removed the chairman of the school’s board of directors, Cleigh Pang, “following an unsolicited and inexplicable move by the board chairman to separate Damien Memorial from the governance of the Christian Brothers.”
The new school president and CEO, Brother Walsh was described as a “career educator” with five decades of experience who “will work tirelessly with the entire school community to ensure that the students at Damien Memorial will receive a faith-based education that espouses to the ‘Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education.’”
Those seven elements focus on evangelizing youth, Catholic identity, solidarity with the poor and marginalized, building a community of faith, and an individual’s dignity, value and overall development.
“The Members of the Corporation thank Mr. Porter for his service as president at Damien,” said Brother Raymond Vercruysse, chairman of the corporation members. “We wish him well as he moves on from this role, and we wish him every success in his future endeavors.”
This is the second change in leadership at Damien Memorial in recent months. New principal Kyle Atabay, a 1984 Damien graduate, came aboard in July 2018. He replaced departing principal Christian Brother Daniel Casey.
Porter, who was previously a lawyer and law professor, was hired in April 2016 after the retirement of former president and CEO Bernard Ho.
“Extending a warm mahalo today to my colleagues, board of directors and the local school community at Damien Memorial School,” Porter posted on Jan. 3 on his personal Facebook page. “It was my great pleasure to work with you and for you over these last three years. Damien is a very special place because of its students, families, teachers, staff and alumni. I am proud of the progress and positive momentum we collectively created.”