Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools
I. Introduction
Discussion of the need for a strategic plan for Catholic schools was initiated by Cardinal Mahony. The need was confirmed by the Catholic Education Foundation which agreed to help finance the planning process. Fr. Albert DiUlio, President of Catholic Schools, received proposals from a variety of consultants and selected Meitler Consultants, Inc. securing additional funding from the Daniel Murphy Foundation.
The following objectives were approved for the planning process for Catholic schools:
- Study and present the past, current and projected demographic profile of selected geographic areas of the Archdiocese.
- Develop a long-range vision for Catholic parish elementary and secondary schools.
- Study the current and long-term needs of schools.
- Address the potential need for new schools.
- Address the number of urban schools that will be needed and can be financially supported.
- Prepare a long-range cost projection for subsidized schools and a funding strategy.
- Develop a long-range strategic plan that includes objectives, action plans and proposed timelines.
- Conduct the planning program in a way that seeks involvement from various levels in the Archdiocese, including the Leadership Team, Bishops, pastors, principals and many others.
- Develop recommendations regarding existing Archdiocesan advisory and decision-making structures.
- Involve the Cardinal, Bishops, Archdiocesan leaders, pastors and principals at key points in the planning process.
- Provide a strategic plan that can be the basis for a Pastoral Letter to be written for Catholic schools.
The process for developing the Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools entailed numerous efforts to inform and involve many individuals at all levels of the organization.
- Periodic newsletters were sent to pastors, principals and others.
- A Strategic Planning Task Force helped prepare the plan. Its members were: Mr. Thomas H. Barron; Rev. William J. Bonner; Ms. Nancy J. Coonis; Fr. Albert J. DiUlio, SJ; Sr. Mary Elizabeth Galt, BVM; Mr. Richard A. Grant, Jr.; Sr. LaReina Kelly, SND; Dr. John Monnig; Ms. Sharon Morano; Rev. Timothy E. Nichols; Mr. Vince O'Donohue; Mr. Ricci J. Ruffinelli; Dr. Frank M. Sanchez; Deacon Gus Sebenius; Mrs. Dorothy Shea and Mr. William E. B. Siart.
- Numerous groups were given opportunity to critique
drafts of the plan as it was being developed:
- Department of Catholic Schools' staff
- Pastors and Principals (workshops were conducted in April and September)
- Regional Bishops
- Archdiocesan Leadership Team
- Catholic Education Foundation Strategic Planning Committee and the entire Board
- Steering Committee
In addition to the planning process for Catholic schools, other parallel planning processes were underway in different venues:
- Archdiocesan Synod
- Planning in the five pastoral regions related to population shifts and the need for parish growth and/or parish realignment
The Archdiocesan Synod proposals address the formational needs of adult laity and provision for greater participation in the ministry and governing structures in the Church throughout the entire Archdiocese. Diverse educational needs were evidenced Region to Region, yet a common concern was availability and affordability of Catholic schools for all Catholic parents. For the most part, it appears that people took for granted that existing ministries of the parish would continue, i.e., child education in preschools, religious education and Catholic schools. The Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools presents many objectives and strategies. However, school plans must be prioritized in conjunction with the report of the Synod and pastoral region plans.
