Winters said she thought the school’s connection to the archdiocese played a role in that decision. The school, she said, worried that its “Catholic identity would be in jeopardy.”

Stetser said in a statement that she could not discuss personnel matters.

“The primary consideration that guided my decision-making process was to sustain the Catholic identity of Waldron Mercy Academy,” Stetser said.

Ken Gavin, director of communications for the archdiocese, said it played no role in Winters’ firing. “There has been no discussion whatsoever about revoking the ability of the school to identify itself as Catholic,” Gavin said.