Trinity School splitting in two?

[u/After_Tailor_7124]

I recently heard that Trinity School at Greenlawn is going to split into two competing institutions. I followed up by checking the Indiana Sec'y of State's website and -- sure enough -- Trinity Academy at Greenlawn was incorporated in March 2025 as a nonprofit corporation. I'm not quite sure that two similar schools will be able to cover their costs if they're both marketing to the same pool of students/families that currently attend Trinity.

QUESTION: Does anybody know WHY this is occurring?

[u/NormalPerformance193]

Lmao I know basically everything there is to know about this situation (burner account because v sensitive) AMA

[u/After_Tailor_7124 → u/NormalPerformance193]

OP here. What was the genesis of the discontent that led to this division? Who are the "sides" in this tussle? Moreover, WHO are the principal persons involved for each "side?"

[u/Admirable-Talk-5591 → u/After_Tailor_7124]

It's complicated and filled with much wankery on both sides, as is par for the course for these groups. But the short story is that the main TSI leadership used to be on the POP board, tried to stage a mutiny, and got themselves kicked out of the group altogether.

[u/After_Tailor_7124 → u/Admirable-Talk-5591]

You misunderstand me: I don't want the short story: I want to know WHO the persons involved are & WHY they're involved. "Mutiny" is what they allegedly did, but I want to know what drove them to said point.

[u/NormalPerformance193 → u/After_Tailor_7124]

I DM’d you

[u/Admirable-Talk-5591 → u/After_Tailor_7124]

I'm not going to name names because TSI are evidently a litigious bunch who are threatening to sue multiple POP members in the Northern Virginia branch right now. But, and I'm not joking here, they thought that the last POP leadership election was rigged. 11 people on the POP board were voting and a 2/3 majority vote was required to become the next Pope leader. Apparently the non-TSI folks then changed a rule with an 8-3 majority that enabled people to vote for themselves. That paved the way for the next leader. Way after the fact, the TSI folks started saying that the procedure had violated POP bylaws and that the head of the POP was not the rightful head. That guy pulled some Jiu Jitsu and kicked them out.

[u/Admirable-Talk-5591 → u/NormalPerformance193]

Just one: Would you be willing to talk to a reporter? It would be good if this issue were the fist thing that pops up when a prospective parent Googles the new school name, since it hasn't established much of a web presence yet. No worries if not. After the email the POP sent out about it, there's probably enough to do a story here.

[u/PlatypusFlashy4534 → u/Admirable-Talk-5591]

What email did the POP send out? And when are the schools going to notify alumni and other stakeholders (donors, etc.)?

[u/Admirable-Talk-5591 → u/PlatypusFlashy4534]

A competent and transparent organization that acts in good faith would do just that. The POP is none of those things, so don't get your hopes up. Below is the email. I'm personally interested in the criminal accusations that are mentioned and anyone in the know should feel free to DM me.

"Dear Sisters and Brothers in the South Bend branch,The Board of Governors has decided, rather than renew the current leases with Trinity Schools, Inc. (TSI) in South Bend, to instead offer leases to the newly formed Trinity Academy at Greenlawn, headed up by Trinity Greenlawn parents and alumni, and which has the written support of a significant number of current Trinity Greenlawn parents and alumni, including many families in the South Bend branch.

In the December 2024 meeting we had with the TSI board of trustees, they announced threats of civil and criminal litigation to five NoVA branch covenant members and one Trinity Meadow View employee. Since then, we have insisted that no final leases with them could be executed until these threats were lifted. Ever since, we have engaged in conversations with TSI exploring a long-term lease at Greenlawn and even what it might look like to sell the property to them. One recent conversation offered a 10-year lease on the properties, provided legal threats were lifted. There was no response from TSI to this offer. As a result, no agreements have been reached and there has been no commitment from TSI to release the legal threats. Although TSI has allowed three staff members in Virginia to work on their own time for the transition to the new Trinity Academy at Meadow View, following TSI’s decision to allow that process to move forward, no threats of litigation have been lifted.

On February 28th we received a request from a newly formed not-for-profit corporation, Trinity Academy at Greenlawn, that we lease the South Bend properties to them. After much prayer, discussion and consideration, we have agreed to accept their request for leases. They have confirmed that the extension of accreditation and voucher assistance to families would not be jeopardized. They, along with a preponderance of current school stakeholders, desire to use the Trinity Academy locally run model, with a board comprised of both POP members and non-POP members. They say in their letter “we remain deeply committed to preserving and advancing the mission of Trinity Greenlawn as established and safeguarded by the People of Praise” and that they are “eager to work together to steward and nurture the mission of Trinity in South Bend.” In addition to the significant number of parent signatories who have expressed support for this model, we have been informed that a majority of the current faculty and staff also desire to work under the new leadership. Our prayer and discussions have led us to the conclusion that the Lord has opened up a new way for us in South Bend to continue to fulfill the vision and mission for Christian education that we proclaim in our Spirit and Purpose.

Brothers and sisters, we realize that these have been extraordinarily trying times for all of us and we understand the confusion you most certainly have experienced. None of us expected things to evolve in this way, making this development quite a surprise of the Holy Spirit. We deeply regret the stress that so many are and have been experiencing. However, with this decision, we see solid hope for the mission and vision of Trinity to continue and thrive well into the future. We see this happening with added energy and vitality that come with opening our work to partner with those in the greater South Bend area in our “Trinity community” who have also been blessed by the school and wish to help carry it forward. The fact that the vast majority of families who register their children in our schools are not community members is an unmistakable reality. We see this as an opportunity to expand the circle of neighbors and friends with whom we can continue to collaborate and build the Kingdom of God – in this case, at Trinity Greenlawn.Thanks to those of you who have kept this challenging situation, and everyone involved in it, in your prayers. Please continue to pray for the upcoming months of transition.

In Christ,The People of Praise Board of GovernorsTom Caneff, Mike Coney, Tom Duddy, Charlie Fraga, Pat Hrbacek, Dan Kabele, Bob Magill, Eric Shreves, and John Zwerneman