![[SeMissourian.com]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (10)
Share link
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Furl
Reddit
GoogleCauz' departure was announced in an e-mail Friday by Phillip G. Coop, chair of the private preparatory school's Board of Trustees.
"Albert's tenure at Webb was characterized by major campus renovations, improvements in our academic quality, the addition of a highly successful Fine Arts program, and a clearly articulated vision of a future for Webb both as a day and boarding school," wrote Coop.
Cauz was named the school's tenth headmaster in July 2005. He had previously been a residential dean at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.
"I have appreciated the opportunity to have served as Webb's tenth headmaster at an exciting and challenging time for the school," wrote Cauz in a statement. "It has been my privilege to work with such an extraordinarily dedicated faculty and staff, and such an accomplished student body. The Webb School has a clear plan and vision for the future. Therefore, at this juncture, this is an opportune time to begin a transition in leadership, so that a new head of school can participate and make the school's long term strategic plans a reality ...
"Ultimately, I can only express my deepest appreciation to everyone who has been so generous and helpful to the School and to me personally. I send warm wishes and gratitude to all of our many friends, and believe that The Webb School will continue to produce large numbers of young scholars with uncompromising integrity."
Coop wrote that the executive committee of the Board of Trustees will serve as an ad hoc search committee and will begin searching both for an interim headmaster and a permanent headmaster, in case the search for a permanent headmaster is lengthy.
Coop also dispelled two rumors already cropping up -- that former headmaster Jon Frere would return on an interim basis or that Coop himself, who works in the Memphis area, would move back to Bedford County to accept the position.
"Jon has a thriving consulting business, and, while he is a good friend, he and I agreed that we have all moved on," wrote Coop. As for the rumors about himself, he said the goal is to put "a trained educator" in the position.
Cauz holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a master's from Middlebury College. He and his wife, pediatrician Bridget McCabe, have lived on the Webb campus with their son, Sebastian. McCabe will work in public health in Puerto Rico.
Founded in 1870 in Culleoka by William R. 'Old Sawney' Webb, The Webb School bills itself as the South's oldest continuously operating boarding school. It moved to Bell Buckle in 1886 after Culleoka legalized the sale of alcohol.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
This is the best thing that could have happened to Webb school. Good riddance!
Having had children as students at The Webb School before and during the tenure of Mr. Cauz, I am saddened by Mr. Cauz's departure. Not only did he improve the academics and reward integrity to a greater degree-both of faculty and students-he also decreased the drug problem, which according to my children and their friends, was overlooked in admissions and in the existing student body prior to Mr. Cauz's arrival to such a degree that the popular students were also the ones who were doing and dealing drugs and having parties at the popular kids' homes. According to my children and their friends, this was not tolerated by Mr. Cauz and the first class to demonstrate this improvement is this year's junior class. I wish Mr. Cauz and his wife and son the best in their new endeavors and I am grateful for Mr. Cauz's leadership and personal influence in the lives of my children, who have nothing but respect for him.
I have a child there too. I won't use my real name because I have seen how that comes back on your child. If you support him I think you should use your real name so we can see if you are a real parent or someone who works for him. honda14 is right. This is the best thing that could happen. The way he and his administration talk to and treat students and faculty is disrespectful and his behavior is shameful. The academics have not improved. They just hired a bunch of kids right out of college with no experience. The drama program is much better but nothing else is. The Cauzs never liked Tennessee or had much respect for the school. The whole big issue last year was handled terribly. I was considering pulling my child out but will now stay and see if Webb gets back to what it should be.
Grab a few moon pies and hit the road, jack! Hasta la vista baby.
As the son of a former school head, I know it is one of those positions in which it is impossible to please everyone all the time. When dealing with several hundred parents, all of whose children are angels, there is bound to be anger when feathers are found to be missing from the angels' wings. It's just the nature of the beast.
What concerns me is the (how to put this politely?) complete lack of spine in the parents and other critics commenting here. This is reminiscent of adolescent desk scrawlings. If these posts, and the cowardice regarding identity, are any reflection of the integrity and character of the critics, get your children out of the house to a place where they can be exposed to some level of maturity, integrity, and backbone. They certainly won't find it at home with you lot. Regarding Mr. Cauz, I am neutral. Regarding you lot of blubbering cowards, I have nothing but contempt.
Very Sincerely,
TIMOTHY JORDAN HEFFNER, Webb Class of 1987
My family was also there during both the Jon Frere and the Albert Cauz eras. Albert has never shown my family anything but respect, and I have been thrilled with the changes and alterations he has made to the school. Jon was the nicest guy, but change is good and Albert brought new life to Webb with his exciting plans and his high expectations of the students and of the teachers. I have seen the qualities in Albert and his administration that webbparent1 speaks of and am sad to see him go. I hope to God he finds a supportive staff and parent base at Baldwin School--they'll be lucky to have him!!!
The fact that some people are still untruthful about why they left Webb this long after the fact shows that the school was right to give them the boot; their character is not up to par.
Also, if your children do not receive preferential treatment because of your own status in the community/on the board, that shows the class of the administration. To treat all students equally, regardless of their parents takes courage and should be admired!
Finally, to knock the entire administration because of your own personal feelings about Cauz is plain rude. Please realize that the people you all are bad-mouthing here (Albert, the young teachers, the Webb administration)are human and are trying to do their jobs as they best see fit. If you have suggestions or new ideas, I am confident that the administration would love to hear them, when presented in a mature, calm manner. We'll miss you, Albie!
Hasta la vista, senor!
hmmmm....
Another white wash by the school.
more like total cover-up...as my earlier comments have been removed. truth hurts, i suppose.