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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...eb899783112.txt

Catholic schools developing model in hopes of curbing declining enrollment

By Alicia Ebaugh
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, March 10, 2011 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — Coming up with a plan to improve the quality and sustainability of Catholic education in Michigan City won’t be done overnight, church leaders said. But it will, they stressed, be done responsibly.

“We’ve just started creating an initial model that will come out to the larger group for conversation and revision in the future,” said the Rev. Kevin Huber, administrator at Queen of All Saints and the head of the Michigan City Catholic Education Task Force.

While rumors have flown over what this model will include, Huber said a subcommittee of parish leaders and school principals is simply looking at the concept of aligning faculty and curriculum between the elementary, middle and high schools that will allow them to share resources.

“(It) is still a very conceptual idea. But closing or consolidating any of our schools has not been part of the conversation. No one has even broached the issue. Nobody wants to,” he said.

Establishing a curriculum incorporating college, state and national standards is also a “must,” Huber said, in order to provide students with the greatest opportunity for academic success and college admission.

The task force’s progress has been slow since December 2009, he said, when the Rev. Terry Chase, formerly of Queen of All Saints, called together pastors at St. Stanislaus Kostka and Notre Dame churches to discuss dwindling enrollment and other challenges facing their schools. They then formed the task force, which includes Barbara O’Block, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Gary, parish and school finance council representatives and selected parishioners. It has been meeting regularly in private since early last year.

Information gathered last fall from the focus groups, and other input from parishioners, faculty and others interested in Catholic education, has played a “large part” in creating four key goals for the subcommittee moving forward, Huber said — to secure Catholic education in Michigan City, improve the quality, increase marketability and save money.

“We want to maximize on our Catholic identity,” Huber said. “That’s been our guiding principle.”

Huber acknowledged that little information has been available on the efforts, but he and others are doing their best to maintain transparency. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet again March 17 to continue their discussion, he said.

“We will offer a model to the community at large once we’re comfortable with all of its facets, but we haven’t formed one yet,” he said. “It’s not going to happen necessarily soon...but I can say it’s moving in a positive direction.”

And reader comments....

gped wrote on Mar 10, 2011 7:02 PM:

" I hope it happens soon M.C needs it now!!!! No did I say now? I meant to say yesterday !!!!!!!!! "



jackel wrote on Mar 11, 2011 6:05 AM:

" This concept has been long overdue. Most other cities in the Diocese of Gary have consolidated their schools to lower costs and maitain quality. "



No more Tuition Increases wrote on Mar 11, 2011 6:58 AM:

" Catholic schools in MC are in trouble with announcement of two magnet schools and growth in enrollment at charters in the area. Catholic schools need to reduce costs. They can't continue to pass on tuition increases on top of already high rates or expect church parishioners to pick-up the tab. More tuition increases mean lower enrollment which means more financial trouble. "



concerned wrote on Mar 11, 2011 7:33 AM:

" Part of the enrollment problem is exspense! With so many families out of work or forced to take pay cuts at their jobs many people cannot afford the $4000 - $5000 dollars every year. I know it has been a burden on our household but one we still choose to deal with. "



Lack of Urgency and Lack of Leadership wrote on Mar 11, 2011 8:35 AM:

" The problem with the Diocese of Gary Catholic school system is with the Superintendent, Dr. O'Block. The solution to the problem is improperly placed on the shoulders of the priests who are not trained in business nor education administration. Priests have pastoral responsibilities which must and do take priority. Why can't the Superintendent and principal come up with a model? The lack of leadership, lack of urgency and lack of accomplishment by this group is disturbing to anyone watching this unravel. Does anyone know what these schools are expecting for enrollment for next school year? "



Concerned Catholic Parent wrote on Mar 11, 2011 8:41 AM:

" The only logical choice is Notre Dame as the location for Michigan City's Catholic School. Why?

1) Notre Dame has a safe and large campus...it can be added on to easily.

2) The percentage of what the Church contributes to the school is only 29% as compared to 61% for Queens...this means Notre Dame can stand on it's own. Why does the doicese allow that to happen when the "maximum" allowed is 40%???

3) Test scores at Notre Dame are the highest in the area.

Outside a desire to maintain their schools for old time sake, Notre Dame is the hands down winner of where all the children should attend. "