News

Groups ponder schools' future

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

What steps must the diocese and its parishes take to assure the future of Catholic schools?

Six regional diocesan groups discussed that question earlier this year at planning sessions for schools. Discussions centered around the Catholic high schools.

Final planning and financial support reports are due to the Diocesan Board of Total Catholic Education at the end of June, but the preliminary report said, "All parishes (are) expected to provide verbal, philosophical, spiritual and financial support for Catholic schools."

The question is how to raise that financial support for the schools. The annual budget for diocesan schools is $52 million.

Holding an annual fund drive, similar to the Bishop's Appeal, was one idea for raising money for the schools and it received strong support, the preliminary report said.

"This should be an actual campaign for Catholic schools," the report continued. "Many people believed that, if asked, people would contribute. This voluntary form might be more acceptable than any type of assessment."

Ideas were advanced for assessing parishes that do not support a Catholic elementary school, including: contributing 5% of parish income, doubling the Bishop's Appeal and assessing each contributing unit $75.

The report said parish councils and parish financial councils from parishes not supporting a Catholic school would review financial support proposals.

It was also suggested that the requirement that a parish must use 50% or less of its income to support the school be changed to "parishes being responsible for 40% of the total cost of running the school with that percent reduced somewhere between 20 and 30%."

The report said, "There is little doubt, unless something is dramatically different in the financing of Catholic schools, it will become increasingly difficult to continue to pay for them. The current level of support by parishes needs to be decreased. New money, whether from government or from businesses, needs to be found." Also suggested was an annual campaign asking alumni for financial support.

The following criteria were suggested for schools receiving diocesan financial support:

• Schools had to be accredited.

• Teachers need to maintain religion certification.

• Parishes that did not previously support a school should have a representative on the board of the school they are now supporting.

• A financial audit should be required.

• The development of a mini Cooperative Education Service Agency through which schools would be connected to one of the Catholic school systems.

Planning committees expressed concern over negative images about Catholic schools and how marketing could address misconceptions. One suggestion was to use Catholic celebrities to promote Catholic education.

Also considered was having the five Wisconsin dioceses work together for a tax credit or deduction for parents.

A timeline has been established for finalizing and implementing plans:

• For the remainder of the summer, the Total Catholic Education Board will review plans and make recommendations.

• In September and October, the Presbyteral Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council will review proposed recommendations.

• Recommendations will be finalized in October and sent to Bp. David Zubik for his approval.

• After Bp. Zubik approves the final plan "for quality Catholic schools that are affordable and accessible," parishes and schools will have the 2005-2006 school year to implement the plan for the 2006-2007 school year.