Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas/Jay Soldner The board of trustees of Bishop Miege High School (BMHS) announces that Phil Baniewicz’s last day as president was August 6, 2025.
After careful consideration of the present circumstances, the board determined it is in the best interest of the BMHS community to move forward toward new leadership. Because this is a confidential personnel matter, no further information will be provided. The process of selecting a new president will begin soon, and the board expresses its gratitude to interim president Joseph Schramp for his leadership as the new school year begins.
”We are grateful for the prayers and support of our families and benefactors. Please continue to pray with us for all impacted by this situation,” stated Holly Bentley, chair of the board of trustees. “As we move forward, we’re committed to strengthening Bishop Miege High School by reviewing our practices and continuing to ensure a safe environment for our students. At the request of Archbishop McKnight, we’ll work with the archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office and the Office for Protection and Care to create opportunities for the school community to be heard and supported. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.”
On June 17, 2025, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced that Phil Baniewicz is restricted from all active ministry in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas due to an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a minor.
This action was made “in the interest of promoting the common good, protecting the vulnerable, and pursuing the truth of the matters being investigated,” Archbishop McKnight stated at that time. An independent, professional firm has been hired to conduct an investigation.
The precautionary restrictions are no indication of guilt or wrongdoing; however, they will remain in place pending the results of any civil investigations and the archdiocesan investigation being conducted by the independent professional firm, along with any subsequent process in the Church’s judicial system.
For more information on the investigation, see https://archkck.org/phil-baniewicz-restricted-from-all-ministry-in-archdiocese-of-kansas-city-in-kansas/.
Those who wish to report abuse should first contact civil authorities by calling the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330 or, if there is an emergency, law enforcement.
If the person has concerns to report regarding a suspicion of abuse or safe environments, the archdiocesan Office for Protection and Care is prepared and eager to listen, using a trauma-informed approach. Please call or text our hotline number at 913-276-8703 or visit archkck.org/reportabuse.
Media and Public Inquiries:
For general questions or inquiries related to the investigation, please contact the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Office of Communications at communications@archkck.org. Anyone with questions or concerns about safe environment should contact our Office for Protection, as stated above.