Toledo Catholic school teacher has been FIRED over moral conduct code violation

A Toledo Catholic school teacher has been fired after leaders at St. Francis de Sales reported a violation of the school’s moral conduct code, though they have not disclosed what that violation was.​

Firing and limited details

School leadership confirmed that J. Michael Petro, listed by the school as a Campus Ministry staff member, has been terminated following an alleged conduct violation. In communication to families and media, the school emphasized that it would not release specifics because the matter involves personnel and therefore carries privacy constraints.​

Off-campus conduct and student safety

According to the school’s statement, the alleged violation was reported to them on a Tuesday night and is said to have occurred off campus and did not involve any students. Administrators stressed that, prior to this, there were no reports or warning signs suggesting a risk to student safety or a breach of school values.​

Moral code, vetting, and training

St. Francis de Sales pointed to its hiring and training procedures as part of a broader moral and safety framework. The school noted that employees undergo background checks and receive VIRTUS training, a child-protection and safe-environment program commonly used in Catholic institutions, as part of its effort to maintain a “safe and healthy environment.”​

Communication with families

In a message sent to families, the school said it shared the news of Petro’s firing “in the interest of transparency and trust.” The statement acknowledged that such news can be troubling and reiterated that the safety, well-being, and spiritual formation of students—described as forming “Christian gentlemen” in the Salesian tradition—remain the school’s top priorities and guide its decisions.​