News

Unified Green Bay school system plan delayed

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Related articles: from Jan. 6, 2006 issue: • GRACE comments from individuals, parishes compiled     Process continues this week from Dec. 9, 2005 issue: • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --     Bridging the Gap: G-R-A-C-E     This is a time for exploration and for collaboration from Nov. 25, 2005 issue: • Plan released for unified Green Bay system     Proposal would close three schools, consolidate two     and form one K-8 school system     Sidebar: Green Bay school proposal     Sidebar: Schedule for action from Nov. 4, 2005 issue: • Release delayed on school planning report     Proposal for consolidating the Green Bay area schools     into a system due after Thanksgiving from Sept. 2, 2005 issue: • GRACE subcommittees form     Proposed plan for a unified Green Bay Catholic school     system continues to advance from July 8, 2005 issue: • Unified Green Bay Catholic school system under study     No decisions have been made from June 24, 2005 issue: • Groups ponder schools' future     Proposal considers ways to guarantee the financial     solvency of Catholic schools

There will not be a unified school system for Green Bay area Catholic schools for the 2006-07 school year, Bp. David Zubik said Jan. 27 at a press conference.

In addition, Bp. Zubik said, none of the 13 Green Bay area Catholic schools will close or be consolidated this next school year unless the pastor and parish leaders request it for their school.

Work will continue on forming a single school system to take effect no sooner than fall 2007. Efforts also will begin to expand the vision of Catholic education to include Catholic day schools, religious education for public school students and adult education, Bp. Zubik said.

In addition, Bp. Zubik said, Reid Associates of Seattle, a professional church and school management consulting firm, using ideas generated by a task force of pastors, will work with the various diocesan departments to determine how parishes in the greater Green Bay area can better work together to support other essential church ministries. These would include care for the poor, worship, youth and young adult ministry and pastoral care.

A proposal to form a single Green Bay area K-8 Catholic school system, consolidate two Allouez schools and close three schools was released in mid-November for comments by pastors, parish leaders and individuals.

The plan, known as GRACE - Green Bay Regional Association of Catholic Education - would have taken effect next fall.

At the press conference on the diocesan campus, Bp. Zubik said the idea of a single system had widespread support.

However, respondents said it was being rushed; that there were specific concerns about the plans to close or consolidate schools; that the diocese also needed to pay attention to religious education for public school students and adult education; and that the entire mission of the church should be included in any future plan.

For the text of Bp. Zubik's remarks at the press conference and the specifics of what is to happen next, click here: http://www.gbdioc.org/pg/article.tpl?asku=113839693114281051.