By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PLEASANT RIDGE - Parents upset by last week's firing of Nativity Principal Bob Herring are planning a rally Monday outside the school to demonstrate their discontent.

They're hoping Brother Joseph Kamis, the superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will take note of their objections.

On Monday, Kamis is expected to hold a 7 a.m. meeting with Nativity staff to address Herring's dismissal, said Patricia Newberry, who has three children at the school.

Parents will meet in the school's parking lot at 6:30 a.m., she said Saturday night.

About 40 parishioners gathered outside the Ridge Avenue church for a brief prayer session before 4:30 p.m. Mass.

Herring was dismissed Nov. 24. School officials cited "philosophical differences" with the 20-year administrator.

Herring is appealing his dismissal and has retained an attorney. He has declined comment.

Nativity is considered one of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's best-performing schools - a standard many parents attribute to the hard work of Herring. Cincinnati's Catholic school system is one of the largest in the country.

Confusion over Herring's dismissal has prompted parents to organize and quickly set up a Web page - www.keepbobherring.com.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com