System

What is the expected long term outcome of these school consolidations?

The long-term goal is to make Catholic education more affordable and more accessible to the children of the Archdiocese, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, by making the schools run more efficiently and by investing in new programs and in our facilities to make them more competitive.  Archdiocesan schools currently provide an outstanding value for the investment of parents/guardians who sacrifice mightily for their children’s education.  The Archdiocese wants to continue providing this value for another 200 years and beyond and believes this plan will help to accomplish this goal.

How will the school consolidations affect parishes with schools?  Does this mean the parish will close?

Parishes with schools that are consolidating may be negatively impacted by the consolidation of schools in the short term because they will have to absorb the ongoing facilities costs until the buildings can be leased or sold.  In the long run, parishes will benefit from being relieved of the heavy financial burden associated with supporting financially struggling schools. 

What is the difference between Archdiocesan schools and parish or independent Catholic schools?

The term “parish school” refers to those schools with an affiliation with the Archdiocese through the sponsoring parish.

• Parish schools are required to follow Archdiocesan policy, but there is also some independence in the way they operate; the pastor has primary responsibility over the school.
• Interparish (or regional) schools have an affiliation with two or more parishes, which share responsibility for the ongoing governance of the school; the pastors of each parish share responsibilities for the school including the hiring of the principal, funding, etc.
• Archdiocesan schools are administered by the Archdiocese, including the hiring and dismissal of the principal, appointing a school board, and a degree of financial support.
• Independent schools are privately owned and incorporated, including schools owned and operated by religious communities.  Because they are Catholic, these schools must follow certain Church laws in order to retain their “Catholic school” status; the Archbishop retains the authority to remove this status if they step outside of these boundaries; otherwise, there is no supervision or governance or financial responsibility from the Archdiocese.

Do all Catholic parishes support Catholic schools?

The Archbishop stated at the outset of this review of Catholic schools that all Catholics, including all Catholic parishes—even those with no direct affiliation to a school, will be required to support Catholic schools.  Consistent with what the U.S. Bishops said in their 2005 statement, “Renewing our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium,” the Archbishop will call on all Catholics to support Catholic education, a core mission of the Church.

What will happen to the teachers and principals at the consolidated schools?

Since Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton opened the first Catholic school in Baltimore over 200 years ago, Catholic schools have been blessed with dedicated and selfless educators who, though they could work elsewhere for better pay, teach in a Catholic school because they are committed to the Church, to the excellence our schools provide and, mostly, to the children they serve.

The Archdiocese will do everything possible to assist our principals, teachers and other school personnel whose jobs are eliminated as a result of the consolidation of schools.  The Archdiocese has asked all schools (each school’s principal has the final decision on teacher and staff hires) to consider personnel from consolidated schools first for any open positions for the next school year.

While we want to retain these employees in our school system, we are facilitating relationships with our local public school systems for teachers who do not have an opportunity to remain in the Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese will extend health insurance benefits until August 31, 2010 for employees whose jobs have been eliminated as a result of the consolidation and have not found new employment by the end of the current school year.

What other resources are being provided to teachers and other employees of consolidating schools?

A staff member from the Archdiocese’s Department of Human Resources will be on site in each consolidating school to interview employees, answer questions, and to provide resources and other assistance with the job search process.  Further, Human Resources staff will provide assistance and information regarding unemployment benefits and access to the Archdiocese’s Employee Assistance Program will be extended to all affected employees and their families.

Will this impact religious education?

No.  The Archbishop stated at the outset of this review process his intent to review separately the Archdiocese’s religious education program, which is conducted by individual parishes. 

How can corporate and foundation philanthropies and other benefactors of the Partners in Excellence scholarship program find out more about the changes impacting Catholic Schools and the administration of the scholarship program?

In March and April, Archbishop O’Brien will hold a series of meetings with donors to apprise them of the school changes and to discuss future plans.  To find out more about these meetings, contact Jennifer Hammand (410-547-5461, jhammand@archbalt.org, or Matt Anthony 410-625-8452, manthony@archbalt.org).

Back to Frequently Asked Questions