1. What is
the new paradigm for Catholic schools being developed by the Diocese
of Brooklyn?
Over the last several years, parents have elected to send their
child to the Catholic school that best meets the child’s needs.
Sometimes this is not the local parish school but another Catholic
school in the neighborhood or even a school close to parents’ place
of employment. At the same time, schools have begun to develop
stronger bonds within and across the community. The emerging
paradigm is one that creates multiple relationships that extend
beyond the parish to support and strengthen each Catholic school.
2. How is this new paradigm being developed?
This new paradigm is being developed through four initiatives that
together form “Preserving the Vision.” First, we must root all that
we do in prayer and reflection. As a people of faith, we are not
entering into complex negotiations that will lead to compromises but
rather a process of discernment, asking for the Lord’s grace to
understand what His will is for us as a people. From this starting
point of prayer, we will enter into a process of re-configuring and
re-imagining our schools. This process will involve seven steps,
including data analysis, local informational meetings, opportunity
for feedback, introduction of proposed “plans” for each region of
the diocese, a second opportunity for local consultation and the
creation of a final, diocesan-wide road map for the future of our
schools.
An additional component is the establishment of a “blue-ribbon
panel” to review the data and ensure the integrity of our process.
Following this process a plan for the alignment of our parishes and
schools will emerge. This will establish a bond between every parish
and school throughout the diocese.
Finally, we will introduce over a period of four years a new model
of governance in our schools. This system of governance will empower
competent lay leaders to take a limited, active role in the
governance of our schools.
3. Why is the diocese undertaking “Preserving the
Vision” at this time?
Since the paradigm of “multiple partnerships” has already begun to
emerge over the last few years in a variety of ways, diocesan
leaders wish to lead a strategic planning process that will allow us
the opportunity to make proactive decisions to foster this paradigm
in the final shape of the model in each school. Today, parents
rightly apply a number of criteria when selecting a Catholic school
for their child. A school’s curriculum and programs are often as
important as the parish with which a particular school is
associated. If Catholic schools are to continue to thrive they must
be flexible enough to change and meet the modern needs of parents.
4. Is the
current financial climate playing a role in this process?
The significant economic challenges that Catholic families face
today require that the Church ensure that costs associated with
Catholic elementary school education remain as affordable as
possible. To do so, we must be good stewards of the resources
available to us. This process will result in a more targeted
expenditure of resources for the good of all children in Catholic
schools.
5. Is
declining enrollment at diocesan schools a factor in the need for
change?
As a result of shifting demographics, enrollment in Catholic schools
has significantly declined. Consequently approximately 16% of all
currents seats in our Catholic elementary schools remain unfilled.
This places a significant financial burden on remaining parents and
the local parish. We need to undergo this strategic planning process
in order to strengthen and preserve the mission of Catholic schools.
6. How will
cultivating multiple partnerships ensure the future of Catholic
schools?
Catholic schools already depend upon multiple partnerships. Two
examples of such partnerships are the creation of school advisory
boards and the involvement of donors and benefactors who generously
raise scholarship money for our children. This process hopes to
forge more partnerships within the broader community to ensure that
our schools become viable, vital, excellent and enduring for many
years to come.
7. What is
the concept of two-tier governance?
The concept of two-tier governance is a model that is employed by
many of our Catholic high schools. The purpose for introducing this
new governance model over the next four years is to allow lay
leaders the opportunity to give of their talent and expertise in
strengthening the overall mission of each Catholic school through
the responsible, limited exercise of governance over certain aspects
of a school’s life.
This new role for lay leaders will strengthen the Catholic identity
of each school by empowering the local clergy with the specific
responsibility for the faith formation of our children. At the same
time, it recognizes that the fiduciary responsibility for a school
must be shared with the laity of the community.
Thus our schools will continue to be the very best choice for
parents concerned with the faith formation and education of our
children; at the same time it will enable our schools to rely upon
the expertise of those in the community to ensure long-term
viability.
8. Why is
the diocese taking this approach of individual meetings with various
groups in order to develop this paradigm for the future?
The diocese recognized that any effort to preserve the vision of
Catholic education must be consultative and collaborative in nature.
For this reason, we begin together in prayer, so that we all may be
open to where the Lord may lead us in this endeavor.
Moreover, the diocese recognizes that only by broad consultation
will we be able to arrive at a correct analysis of the facts. From
this analysis, we will create a plan that takes into account the
many concerns of all who form part of our school communities.
9. Is there a relationship between the necessity
of this new vision for our schools and the consolidation of
parishes?
There is no direct relationship between the consolidation of
parishes and the emerging vision for our schools. At the same time,
there are many parallels in the two processes. Each begins in prayer
and each involves broad collaboration. As a result, a consensus
emerges.
10. What
are the ultimate benefits for children, parents, principals and
faculty with this new model?
We believe that as a result of this process we will have schools
that have more resources at their disposal to ensure that more
children will have access to Catholic education.
We believe that Catholic schools will be better positioned to attend
to the diverse needs of our students and parents.
At the same time, we will be able to ensure that thriving Catholic
schools will be better able to offer teachers and staff competitive
compensation and benefits and remain vital institutions in our
diocese for generations to come. .
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