What is the future for archdiocesan Catholic schools? That question can be asked with apprehension as some fear the Catholic school system’s demise is imminent, and are looking for something or someone to blame.
Someone else, that is.
Some place responsibility on the shoulders of government, others talk of "changing times" and pluralism, still others blame the economy and the shrinking tax base.
I assume "changing times" is a euphemism for the collapse of the religious orders which used to provide most of the teachers.
Catholic pastors in the 11-parish Racine community recently formed the Task Force for Catholic Education. Initially intended to deal with effects of the priest shortage,
Presumably under a different name.
the committee is working to bring parishes into closer collaboration, said Diana Lesnjak, principal at St. Rita Elementary School.
In this case, "closer collaboration" is a euphemism for closings and consolidations.
The task force plans to centralize Catholic education in the Racine area, and schools involved in the committee agree to adhere to all of the changes in the accepted model. Some changes might include staff and administration, possible relocation of students to other buildings, and curriculum and tuition changes.
Some similar changes appear to be in the works in the Kenosha area parishes.
Burlington's two Catholic grade schools are unaffected for now.
"We are very blessed here," she [Sr. Margaret Pietsch, principal at St. Charles School] said. "First of all, we have a strong Catholic community supporting our schools."
If you suspect there's more to it, because Catholic communities always seem to be called strong and supportive, you're right.
"Secondly, the Rewald Foundation, established years ago, provides tuition grants for families who choose to send their kids to private schools."
More tuition endowments surely would help.
IIRC, Abp Weakland 'changed the rules' regarding Parish support of Catholic schools, which led to a shrinkage in student numbers.
ReplyDeleteChicken/egg/chicken.
Although there is a great deal of "fixing" to do in parish schools, perhaps re-visiting the topic of parish support will be productive.