Re: school in need

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(Seems we are now discussing 2 schools, Adm’s and mine. The situations
appear different in some areas and the same in others. I am the one who
said “world wide church”. To keep the Catholic Church strong, we need to
keep Catholic kids Catholic and through our schools, reach out to others)

How could you possibly know what I am thinking or saying by my question?
That was for Adm.
I am not laughing though. I really didn't know what Church you were
referring to. Catholic means Universal so if you had called it that I
might have guessed correctly.
********I was thinking of the Catholic Church as a whole.
It is the Diocese that is responsible for the collection and distribution
of money and the buck stops there and doesn't extend to the Vatican. The
Vatican wants money from the dioceses too. The Vatican has other things
to contend with when it comes to worldwide responsibilities. Supplying
funds to keep Catholic Schools in countries where schooling is free and
available to all is probably lowest on the list.
********** But strengthening the Church is important to its growth and
mission.
I don't know where you are located but some of the Dioceses are bankrupt.
*******Diocese is doing ok.
If other schools have been receiving, it may be from money that was part
of a previous commitment. It may not continue after the terms of the
commitment have been fulfilled.
************* We got money from the “Black and Indian mission” collection.
Giving is down in the parishes for many reasons. The scandals that
happened are a big part of the lack of giving but the decrease in
congregational size and the recession directly impacts the amount the
diocese receives and can distribute.
************* True- but as a poorer school it would be great to be helped by
the rich schools across town. It would be great to have a corporate sponsor.
On the other hand, the diocese has to consider other things when it comes
to helping the schools.
How committed are the families to keeping the school open?
****************95% of the school age kids in the parish attend the school.
We lose families who are able to move to better neighborhoods-the kids then
go public or to the wealthier Catholic Schools in the Diocese. We have more
non-Catholic students that Catholic, but are keeping the Catholic Identity
strong. We are able to help many children reach their potential.

Do they participate in fundraising to help not only the school but also
the parish or do they expect to be handed assistance with no effort on
their part?
************** Most help as much as they can.
Do the families attend Mass at the parish and tithe or are they using the
school as an inexpensive alternative to public schools and not supporting
the parish at all with time, talent and treasure?
**************** Oh, Father makes sure that you support the parish. If not
with money, at least with your presence at mass!

(How effective is the school? Has it been awarded a credential?
**************************We are undergoing accreditation now. We are
effective in working with the students we have. Although some now transfer
in from lower performing schools, we are able to help them achieve more. It
is wonderful to see!

Is there another parish school nearby that could accommodate the students
if the school closes?
*****************Actually, yes there is one about 15 minutes away. But add
that 15 minutes to the travel time of some would give the kids a 45 minute
commute twice a day.
******************Has the school managed its money well? Yes.

Has it tried to live within its means by combining grade levels and other
cost saving measures?
************************ Trying to avoid combining grade levels. Other
schools in the diocese that have closed combined classes during the last
year the schools were opened. Kind of a sign that the closing is coming.

Is the parish itself in financial trouble?
******************************* We are doing ok, but the families with kids
have moved to better neighborhoods.

Are the pastor and the congregation supportive of the school or do they
feel that it is a drain on parish resources?
**************************** The pastor is great. The congregation
is “graying” with fewer kids to send to the school. But they do support us.

It doesn't seem fair and it probably isn't, but there is only so much
money to go around. In your case it is may be just bad timing. The
financial forecast for the next few years is not so good. The
investments of the Diocese may not be doing so well. If that hadn't
happened you might have received money.
************* The Diocese is doing ok for the times. I am hoping that the
Diocese can help us stay open, then when the economy gets better, the
situation should too.

I think one of the problems with some of the Diocesan schools is that
there really isn't a strong central system. If there were, group
purchasing could be used to purchase supplies, school resources could be
combined and redistributed or shared, substitute teachers and specialist
teachers could be sent to multiple schools and so forth.
********** I agree!

The Church used to have a lot of money. Not anymore.
********************** I think investing in the schools would be of great
benefit to all, as I stated above.

Thank you, Jean for your well thought out comments.

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