SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS For the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York
Catholic Schools in the News Spring 2013 Newsletter TABLE OF CONTENTS
Commitment to Transparency ...... 3
Closing Schools to Serve Kids Better ...... 8
The Plan to Save Catholic Schools ...... 9
To Save NYC’s Catholic Schools ...... 11
2 CATHOLIC NEW YORK January 10, 2013 LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY
One of the things we bishops hear most often from faithful No w there is another area in which we hear increasing calls Catholics is a request for transparency, a desire to know how for transparency: Church finances. Part of it grows out of the the Church is meeting its various obligations, and how it deep concern people feel whenever they hear reports of theft or responds to problems that might arise. It r eally took hold, I misuse of C hurch funds. Sadly, we have had so me cases here in think, during the sex abuse crisis a decade ago. People the Archdiocese of New York. Just this past fall, for instance, a asked—naturally, properly—that we tell them how we were former archdi ocesan em ployee was sentenced to prison after going to deal with priests who had been accused of abuse, what having pleaded guilty to stealing more than $ 1 million from our procedures we were going to follow in the future, and how we education department. There have also been cases of priests were going to make certain that we were living up to our taking parish funds and using them for their personal expenses, promises. The Charter for the Protection of Children and You ng including the paying off of debts brought on by an addiction to People, de vel oped by the b ishops in Dallas in 2002 a nd gamblin g. W hi le it s eems lik e th ere has been an increase in subsequ ently ap pr ov ed by the Holy Se e so th at it becam e part such m isbehavior , I’ m not sure that is the ca se; part of th e of Churc h law for th is cou ntry, spelled out t he standard s that we apparent ri se in t he n umbe r of in cid e nts s tems fr om the fact bish ops were setti ng for o urse lves in r esponding t o al legations that we n ow go public w ith suc h cases , r at her t han sim ply of s ex ual a buse. Th e a nnua l audits— w hich are co nduct ed b y an trying to deal with them inte rnally. W e hav e le arn ed— th e ha rd inde pendent ag en cy and ex amine ho w e ac h dioce se h as w ay, perha ps— that p eo ple want an d deser ve to k now the truth han dle d an y claim s or cas es o f the s exua l a bus e o f m inors over about such matters. And, ultimately, while being transparent in the past yea r—m ak e ce rtain th at we ar e, in f ac t, doin g wh at w e these matt ers might m ean a tempo rary black eye for the sai d we wo uld do. Ye s, w e’ re constantly tryi ng to do even b etter, C hurc h, it is certai nly be tter than havi ng these c ases com e to but a ll agree w e’v e com e a lo ng wa y. light thro ug h wh isper s an d ru mors, a ccomp an ied by char ges o f
“cover -up.” W hen there’s b ad news in t he Church , you tel l us
/@1627=13A/<A3@D713A/A=4/<24=@B63G3/@A3<232/C5CAB! /<2 pasto rs yo u’d r a th er hea r it f rom u s. 1=<23 <]\Sf^S\ROPZSW\dSab[S\bW\¿fSR ! $ &$ &"#$%#$ B]bOZSf^S\aSa $!'" ! $ & %## OaaSbaO\R^S`[O\S\bZg`Sab`WQbSR 3fQSaa]TSf^S\aSa]dS``SdS\cSa !!% $ " #$'!'' fina nce ex perts , not m e—and, in par t icular, for th ei r ef for ts in B]bOZ\SbOaaSba &"$%$" '# ''$"' 5OW\aO\R:]aaSa( B]bOZZWOPWZWbWSaO\R\SbOaaSba "# "$%&' "!"! %"&% 3 At the urging of our Finance Council, we recently had an The second point is that, while the archdiocese is not rich, it outside firm review our financial operations—basically, how we does have a sustained record of supporting our parishes and handle the money, how we keep track of it, what safeguards are schools that cannot pay their bills. Thanks to the genius of my in place to make sure that the finances are secure. This special predecessors, notably Cardinal Francis Spellman and Cardinal audit, which was in addition to the usual annual audits that Terence Cooke, the archdiocese has found a way to assist needy result in the condensed balance sheet and statement of parishes, primarily through what has been called Inter-Parish activities, gave us consistently high marks for our operations Financing (IPF), which permits financially stronger parishes to and procedures; it did make a few suggestions about how we support parishes in need. Cardinal John O’Connor and Cardinal could do things better, and we have taken steps to implement Edward Egan each adapted and strengthened IPF, and am I ever this advice. For example, the firm suggested incorporating glad they did, because it allows many parishes and schools to enhanced monitoring reports for significant general ledger survive which otherwise would have had to close their doors processes, and expanded communications emphasizing the need decades ago. So, I am deeply grateful to my predecessors for for increased awareness for responsibly managing the fiscal their vision and diligence in their support of our institutions. resources entrusted to the archdiocese. This is now being done. While I know that this work of the IPF must and will continue, I believe that it is good practice to periodically have someone, I also know that we have reached a breaking point, and that independent of the archdiocese, review our operations to make sure we are utilizing all the best practices, so that we don’t some fundamental changes must be made in order for the allow ourselves to become complacent about our operations. system to survive and thrive. Right now, $46 million a year goes out to struggling parishes through IPF and other sources! That’s Because we are in the midst of two crucially important way too much. Other needs suffer. And, the archdiocese is in strategic planning initiatives for the archdiocese— debt. We give so much to help parishes and schools in debt that Pathways to Excellence, for our schools, and now the archdiocese is in the red! Making All Things New, for our parishes— Third, yes, the archdiocese has had an operating deficit, and I thought it would be a good idea to go a little deeper two years ago I promised our Finance Council, our Priests’ into our current financial situation, to help explain, Council, and our College of Consultors—and now I promise to or at least put into some context, you, the people of the archdiocese—that we must have a why these two strategic plans are so vital to balanced operating budget. We are currently on course to meet our continued stability and, please God, that goal within the next few years upon the completion of our our ability to grow and adapt as we meet the needs initiatives. Cardinal Egan worked hard to leave us a financially of the Catholic faithful in the 21st century. solvent archdiocese. I cannot and will not jeopardize that. I don’t want to get too heavy with numbers, because I know Because we are in the midst of two crucially important strategic how easy it is for someone to manipulate figures to make a planning initiatives for the archdiocese—Pathways to Excellence, point. However, some basics are important here. for our schools, and Making All Things New, for our parishes—I The archdiocese central services has an operating budget of just thought it would be a good idea to go a little deeper into our about $87 million. (This figure does not include such things as current financial situation, to help explain, or at least put into some context, why these two strategic plans are so vital to our the budgets for individual parishes and elementary schools, high continued stability and, please God, our ability to grow and adapt schools, and the like, as individual parishes and their as we meet the needs of the Catholic faithful in the 21st century. institutions are separate legal entities in New York State law. It simply encompasses the central offices of the archdiocese.) Of Let me begin by laying out a few important points. The first is that, 53%, or $46 million, as I noted above, goes to parishes and that the Archdiocese of New York is not rich. I know that there schools primarily in the form of IPF grants and subsidies, but is a mindset among some pastors, parishioners, and the public, also in subsidies to parish high schools (which are not eligible that if any parish, school, or other institution is running a for IPF), emergency repair loans, and other parish support, deficit, all they need do is turn to the chancery office, and the while $41 million—47%—goes to archdiocesan offices—which money will be on the way. Unfortunately, that kind of includes the Department of Education, Saint Joseph’s Seminary, mentality simply is not possible anymore. The expectation for Catholic Charities, the Family Life + Respect Life Office, every parish and school is that they will operate on a balanced residences for retired priests, programs, projects and other budget, although we know in reality that this is not always “core” activities. possible. And, the archdiocese is not some “Daddy Warbucks” with an endless supply of money. Since the end of our financial year 2011 (which ended August 31, 2011), we have reduced our “core” costs by 10%. To achieve 4 that goal we: downsized staff through attrition and early clear: the primary purpose of these two critically important retirement (not through layoffs); implemented a one-year salary undertakings is to make certain that we are meeting the “freeze,” and limited increases to 1% and 2% in the following religious, spiritual, educational, and pastoral needs of our two years; restructured our medical insurance plan, and in some Catholic people in the best way possible. If the Church is to cases adjusted employee contributions, that helped hold the line minister effectively, we must constantly examine what we are on premium increases; and sold some unused property (in order doing and how we are doing it, and see where changes need to to begin to establish endowments—more on that in a moment) be made. At the same time, we know that one indicator of that the archdiocese owned, whose maintenance was costing us parish stability and sustainability is the ability of a parish to pay $1 million per year for insurance, security, and upkeep. Overall, its bills. This is certainly not the only sign, or even the most this has saved us in fiscal year 2012 (which ended this past important sign, of a parish’s viability, but it is significant, and August 31) $9.6 million, including $4 million in central something that must be part of our ongoing evaluation of our services, which are the offices of the chancery. There were two parishes. If a parish cannot sustain itself, one must ask if it is other initiatives that we could have taken to reduce costs, but viable any longer. after some discussion and reflection, we decided, for pastoral The Church must live in the real world. We have to budget our reasons, to at least delay implementing those particular moves, money and pay our bills, just like any family, any business. and look for savings elsewhere. Having made the moves And, so, an integral component of both Pathways and Making outlined above, our estimated “core” deficit for the current fiscal All Things New is determining the financial impact of whatever year 2013 is $3.5 million. decision we make. If we don’t make prudent decisions, if we are Even as we bring the deficit under control, the archdiocese is not careful and responsible stewards of the money entrusted to not just cutting back, but also addressing some new ministries. us, then we will not be able to continue to serve the people of This past year has seen some much needed new programs the archdiocese in the way that they deserve to be served. We getting under way. We’ve established a new archives center, and have too many parishes! hired a full-time archivist. We are expanding our outreach to This is why we have made significant progress towards a core youth and young adults, through the establishment of a youth balanced budget—the budget for our central offices—and are office—geared to 7th through 12th graders—and expanded our well on the way to a total balanced budget when our school and young adult outreach, aimed at those who are 22-30 years old. parish planning initiatives are completed within the next two to We’ve begun the Sheen Center for New Evangelization. There three years. The archdiocese will always continue to support our has been a very much needed and overdue cost of living parishes and schools through IPF; even if we reduce our IPF increase in retirement benefits for our priests. grants by one-half their current total—to, say, $15 million—we By now, you’re probably wondering what the bad news is: will be able to have our balanced budget, and, we will still be Close to a balanced operating budget, new programs in place, doing more than any other diocese in the country to support the expenses reduced. So, what’s the problem? parishes and schools that need our help to survive. The primary financial concern the archdiocese now faces is the huge amount of money being spent on parishes and schools through IPF. Two years ago, in fiscal 2011, IPF gave nearly $38.2 million in grants to parishes ($9.2 million) and elementary schools ($29 million). In fiscal year 2012, we were able to bring that number down to $31.8 million—primarily as a result of the school closures that took place in June 2011. However, this year our current estimated 2013 budget for IPF is $33.7 million, an increase of $7.5 million from the 2012 budget. This takes into account the full impact of June 2011 school closures and additional schools that will be seeking IPF support for the first time in 2013. The subsidy for parishes remained at $9.6 million, with the balance of the increase going to our schools. We simply cannot sustain this level of support of our parishes and schools. This brings me back to our two strategic planning processes: Pathways to Excellence and Making All Things New. Let me be 5 Let me say a few words about the changes that are coming to IPF, A final change that I have instituted concerns parishes that get which has a history of giving grants. I have asked that this be large amounts of money from unexpected sources—like air changed, and so now subvention agreements (interest-free loans), rights or bequests, as mentioned before. Any parish that plans not grants, will be the norm for parishes receiving money from to use such money for non-essential work, must first retain a IPF. I know that many parishes will be unable to repay the loans, specific amount in parish accounts—generally, enough to cover at least initially, and we will work patiently with them. one year’s worth of parish expenses—before it can proceed with However, there are some benefits. First, and most obviously, if a its work. Obviously, if a parish needs a new boiler for the parish’s finances should substantially change (through the sale of school, or a new roof on the church, or something similar, that air rights, a major bequest, or something similar), there will be requirement would not apply. an expectation that the parish will repay its loan, so that money can then be used to help other parishes. Loans will also help Lastly, I promised you a word about endowments. parishioners have a better understanding of their parish’s true The Archdiocese of New York is currently planning financial situation, since a loan would be listed as a debt on the to establish various endowments, to provide ongoing parish’s financial statement. The people would then be able to support to specific projects of the archdiocese. have a clearer picture of how their parish is doing (and, perhaps, The first endowment would be for our Catholic schools; why they need to do more to support their parish!). this endowment would be used to provide partial scholarships to attract new students in financial need. A second major change that is coming involves our Parish After all, having full schools is the best way to Assistance Corporation, or PAC. The PAC provides cash ensure the future of Catholic education. management and other financial support to parishes, charities, religious orders, and other Catholic entities throughout the Lastly, I promised you a word about endowments. The archdiocese. PAC provides support by, among other things, Archdiocese of New York is currently planning to establish making loans to entities with projects in need of financing, and various endowments, to provide ongoing support to specific receives loans from entities to provide a source of lending projects of the archdiocese. The first endowment would be for capital. I am now requiring that any parish with $1 million or more in a bank account must deposit that money in the PAC; our Catholic schools; this endowment would be used to provide it remains the parish’s money, not that of the archdiocese, and partial scholarships to attract new students in financial need. can be withdrawn whenever needed, but it will have the dual After all, having full schools is the best way to ensure the future effect of making more money available for parishes looking to of Catholic education. borrow, as well as allowing the archdiocese’s finance office to A second endowment is being established for our parish keep an eye on parish spending, to make sure that money is religious education programs. I have already told our pastors being spent wisely. that every parish will be receiving a rebate of 1/4 of the cathedraticum (the money each parish is assessed for the support of the archdiocese) to support their religious education programs. For struggling parishes, however, this rebate will not be enough to operate a first-class religious-ed program. The endowment will provide assistance to these struggling parishes. A third endowment will be used to help our parishes, particularly in the upper counties, that need to build new churches, or expand existing ones, to welcome the increased Catholic population in their parish. A fourth endowment would be targeted for the upkeep of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, once the current restoration effort is completed. A final endowment would support many of the new programs under way, like the Sheen Center, a new university-based apostolate called FOCUS, the Gianna Center for Women’s Health (named for Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, a newly canonized saint, a doctor in Italy who 6 died in 1962), and Generation Life, a program designed for high school students, helping them lead chaste, virtuous lives. Funds for these endowments will come largely through the sales or rentals of closed parish properties and donations. Some of these properties have already been sold and some will be sold in the near future. As I mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the properties to be sold or rented are not being used, and the archdiocese has been paying to keep them sitting empty. My approach to these properties has been dubbed by some as The Dolan Doctrine: every effort will be made to ensure that the proceeds of the sales or rentals of closed parish properties will go into endowments for important charitable, educational, pastoral, and/or religious programs of the archdiocese rather than operating expenses so as to protect and maintain its patrimony consonant with the original intent of the people generations ago who gave the money for them. For instance, if we sell or rent a closed church or school building, the proceeds could be used to provide scholarships for students in Catholic schools, assist parishes with the construction of new churches, or expand our parish religious education programs. It might be In the end, addressing the financial situation of the archdiocese that, if a parish were to rent a former school building, it will be is not something that can be done just by a finance council, the asked, to the degree possible, to assist us with these CFO and the Chancellor, or me. Ultimately, the Church must archdiocesan efforts. In this way, we are preserving the look to you for support and assistance. Even as we work to patrimony of the archdiocese and maintaining the apostolates for become more transparent about our financial situation, we hope which the facilities were originally built. To sell land and to engender a greater sense of stewardship among the people of property should never be done frivolously, and we will not do God of this archdiocese. Stewardship is not just a Church so. Rentals, for instance, are always preferable to sales. buzzword for giving more; it is a mindset, a way of life, in which we thank God for the gifts He has given to us, work to In the end, addressing the financial situation of the ensure that they are cared for and used wisely, and joyfully archdiocese is not something that can be done return to God the first fruits of what he has bestowed on us. just by a finance council, the CFO The more we can come to embrace this way of life—and I very and the Chancellor, or me. much include myself in that—the fewer problems, including Ultimately, the Church must look to you financial problems, this archdiocese will face. for support and assistance. This has been an unusually long column, and I thank you for Even as we work to become more transparent sticking with me. However, in that spirit of transparency, I about our financial situation, we hope to engender a wanted to give you a fuller view of where things stand, since in greater sense of stewardship among large measure the funds that keep the archdiocese going comes the people of God of this archdiocese. from you, our faithful people. There is a good deal of Stewardship is not just a Church buzzword for giving more; it is a mindset, a way of life, misunderstanding about Church finances, and I hope that this in which we thank God for the gifts He has given to us, look at our situation will not only help you to better understand work to ensure that they are cared for and used wisely, where things stand, but also to see why our strategic planning and joyfully return to God the first fruits of what he has process is so vital for our continued financial health. It also bestowed on us. The more we can come to embrace this gives me an opportunity to say thank you for your continued way of life—and I very much include myself in that— support—financial and otherwise—of the Archdiocese of New the fewer problems, including financial problems, York. May you have a happy, healthy, and holy New Year. this archdiocese will face. Reprinted with permission from Catholic New Yor k© 2013. All rights reserved. 7 CLOSING SCHOOLS TO SERVE KIDS BETTER The Archbishop of New York explains: Catholic education is in the midst of a painful evolution By TIMOTHY CARDINAL DOLAN New York Daily News Op-Ed, January 25, 2013 The closing of Catholic schools in the archdiocese of New York People ask why the archdiocese doesn’t simply fund whatever has garnered a lot of headlines recently, and for good reason. No shortfall might exist in a school: They are surprised to learn that one ever likes to see a school close. Shuttering a school is very we do, in fact, subsidize our schools — and have been doing so painful for me, and I know that the difficulty it causes for our for many years. students, their families and our parishes is even greater. Last year, for example, the archdiocese gave more than $25 But I also know that we must close some schools in order to million in subsidies to schools — on top of the millions more stabilize all schools across the archdiocese, with the ultimate goal that go to schools through programs like the Inner-City of eliminating the need for extensive future school closures. Scholarship Fund, parish grants and other fundraising efforts. This does not mean we are in the final chapter of the book Contrary to what some may think, the archdiocese is not rich about Catholic schools. Rather, it is the first chapter of a new — it is in debt because we have given so much to help parishes book about our bright future. and schools. The announcement of the closure of 22 elementary schools and It is clear that fundamental changes must be made in order for two high schools followed a painstaking review in accordance the system to thrive. The Church, like every family, must live with “Pathways to Excellence,” the strategic plan for Catholic in the real world, paying our bills and staying within budget. If schools published in October 2010. we don’t make prudent decisions, then we will not be able to continue to serve the people in the way that they deserve. In making their recommendations on school closures, regional boards and committees of pastors, educators, parents and We also urge Gov. Cuomo and the Legislature to enact the community leaders carefully studied such data as enrollment, Education Investment Incentives Act. This initiative, similar to financials, academics and demographics to ensure the decisions those already existing in 11 other states, would drive additional would result in financially healthy, sustainable schools. corporate and individual donations into education, generating $150 million in scholarships for families to enroll their children I truly believe that each of the schools to be closed is a good in Catholic and other religious and independent schools. (The school; they are closing not because of any academic legislation would generate an equal level of additional shortcomings, but solely due to a lack of students and the contributions to public schools.) financial difficulties such a lack brings. This process is not a cause for alarm, but, rather, an affirmation Throughout this process, I have insisted that affected families of our commitment to the future. While we shepherd our school must be welcomed in neighboring Catholic schools and every system into the 21st century, Catholic school students will effort made to assist those who are facing financial challenges continue to shine. But business as usual is not an option. in making the transition. The closing of some schools — as painful as it is — will only Two years ago, after the announced closing of a long list of help all our schools prosper. struggling schools, 64% of our students successfully transitioned From the New York Daily News, January 25, 201 3©New York Daily News. All rights to another Catholic school in their area. It is our hope that we will reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. have the same number of students occupying fewer buildings. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this content without express written permission is prohibited. 8 THE PLAN TO SAVE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS How to combat falling enrollment while keeping standards high By CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN The Wall Street Journal, January 31, 2013 This is Catholic Schools Week, when dioceses across the I have heard from many leaders in business and finance that country celebrate the great gifts that are our Catholic schools. when a graduate from Catholic elementary and secondary It has been a somewhat somber Catholic Schools Week for me, schools applies for an entry-level position in their companies, since in the Archdiocese of New York we recently announced the employer can be confident that the applicant will have the that 24 of our schools will be closing at the end of this academic necessary skills to do the job. Joseph Viteritti, a professor of year. According to the National Catholic Education Association, public policy at Hunter College in New York who specializes in the closings will join a national trend that has seen education policy, recently said, “If you’re serious about Catholic-school enrollment in the U.S. decline by 23.4% since education reform, you have to pay attention to what Catholic 2000, a loss of 621,583 students. schools are doing. The fact of the matter is that they’ve been educating urban kids better than they’re being educated elsewhere.” The evidence is not just anecdotal. Researchers like Helen Marks (in her 2009 essay “Perspectives on Catholic Schools” in Mark Berends’s “Handbook of Research on School Choice”) have found that students learning in a Catholic school, in an environment replete with moral values and the practice of faith, produce test scores and achievements that reliably outstrip their public-school counterparts. This is why, to the consternation of our critics, we won’t back away from insisting that faith formation be part of our curriculum, even for non-Catholic students. As education expert Diane Ravitch has observed, “A large part of the Catholic schools’ success derives from the fact that they are faith-based and that they sustain a sense of genuine community, as well as stability. To me, and I am not Catholic, the success of Catholic schools depends on maintaining their religious identity, that is, keeping the crucifixes in the classrooms as well as the freedom to speak freely about one’s values.” Parents who are not Catholic often choose Catholic schools because of the institutions’ moral grounding, It is sometimes hard to understand why enrollment has not in spite of it. They know that Catholic-school dropped. After all, even the enemies of Catholic graduates—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—make good citizens, education—and, sadly, there are some who wish our schools involved in community service and committed to social justice. would disappear altogether—grudgingly admit that Catholic We also find that Catholic alumni are, on the whole, more schools are unparalleled in providing a first-rate education that faithful in their practice of their religion as well. also emphasizes character and virtue. 9 You will not be surprised to learn, then, that I believe our We will also be investing more in marketing. It has been Catholic schools are a “pearl of great price,” worth every drop pointed out to me that our Catholic schools are a great of sweat and ounce of effort that we are making on their behalf. story—but, maybe because we’ve been taught that modesty is a At a time when even public schools across the country are virtue, we’re sometimes reluctant to blow our own horn. We struggling, we Catholic educators need to be bold in our must be willing to advertise, if we’re going to attract more thinking and daring in our actions as we look to the future. That students, particularly since only about 25% of Catholic children is why the Archdiocese of New York has instituted Pathways to attend a Catholic school. Excellence, a strategic plan that is reshaping how Catholic Finally, we will continue and intensify our outreach to new schools are run. immigrants to America. Catholic schools have been one of Since the mid-19th century, the Catholic-school model has the greatest engines of enculturation, and through efforts been “one parish, one school.” That served us well for many like the Catholic School Advantage Program, run in years, but it has become painfully obvious that a new model conjunction with Notre Dame University, the archdiocese is is needed. Beginning in September, the Catholic schools in reaching out to Hispanic and Latino parents to invite them the Archdiocese of New York will be broken down into to our Catholic schools. regions, and every parish will be responsible for, contribute Catholic churches and schools were originally built on the small to, send children to, and have a voice in Catholic education donations of immigrants who sacrificed nickels, dimes and in the archdiocese. dollars to make sure that their children were fully educated in The laity will be called on to have an expanded leadership role a Catholic setting—and emerged fully American. We Catholics in school governance with pastors. An essential component of must never lose the nerve, the daring and the dream that regionalization is reinvestment, which includes reallocating inspired our ancestors in the faith. current resources back into Catholic education while identifying and securing additional funding. The goal is a system of strong, Reprinted by permission of The Wall Street Journal, copyright © 2013 Dow Jones & accessible, affordable Catholic schools, owned by every parish, Company, Inc. All Right Reserved Worldwide. License number 2954961507894. Dow Jones & Company’s permission to reproduce this article does not constitute or imply that Dow supported by every Catholic, available to every child. Jones sponsors or endorses any product, service or specific investment. 10 TO SAVE NYC’S CATHOLIC SCHOOLS By NAOMI SCHAEFER RILEY New York Post, January 31, 2013 Last week’s announcement that another two dozen Catholic She eventually moved up to assistant principal; now she’s schools in New York will soon close left many area families getting an advanced degree from the Mary Ann Remick reeling. For the poorest and most disadvantaged New Yorkers, Leadership Program at Notre Dame, gaining the skills to manage Catholic schools provide the only reasonably priced alternative a modern urban Catholic school. to the failing public-school system. What’s being done to keep One of her first classes last summer was in finance. “We were that option alive? all asked to bring our schools’ budgets. And we spent four hours As Sol Stern noted in City Journal last year, “In New York’s a day for three weeks going through them.” Budgeting is about inner-city Catholic high schools, over 80 percent of values as well as money: Balancing the need for renovations disadvantaged minority students graduate on time, almost with keeping salaries for teachers competitive or adding doubling the public school rate.” And they do it “despite enrichment activities for children. She’s learned “the spending just $10,000 per high schooler” — less than half the importance of making financial decisions that are good for that public schools’ rate. year and for the long term.” Thanks to the church’s subsidies and private scholarship funds, Sister Barbara Kane, a graduate of the Remick program, is many poor parents pay only a few hundred dollars a year for now the principal at Dominican Academy in Manhattan. At this superior education. her order’s request, she moved here from Ohio in 2008, where But the church can only afford so much, and schools’ costs she had a background working both in Catholic education and keep rising. in business. The Remick program helped her apply her business expertise to a school environment. “We have a board, In 1920, Catholic schools nationwide drew 92 percent of staff we have investments, I have a working knowledge of how from religious orders; now it’s less than 4 percent. Not only was those things work.” the labor cheap, but school principals had the complete moral and financial support of the parish. Ultimately, she tells me, “In order for Catholic schools to survive, you need to balance a budget and make hard decisions There are other new expenses. As Robert Flanigan, a member about expenses and tuition that will ensure we can stay viable of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocese’s Patrons, notes, for a long time.” Here’s hoping. today’s students have a “broader range of needs. Principals need to understand legal issues, personnel issues, technology.” But all this innovation may not be enough. Flanigan also sees a need “to level the economic playing field. The fact that parents One solution, says Flanigan, is “great leadership.” In 2008, he in low-income neighborhoods have to pay is a great challenge.” helped found the Curran Principals Academy, a program that The obvious answer is for New York to adopt some kind of partners with the Archdiocese and the Diocese of Brooklyn to voucher or tuition-tax-credit program, as several other states have. identify and train leaders in Catholic schools. The program’s third cohort of 16 students is now in the process of getting their Vested interests and ideologies have long blocked any such master’s in educational leadership, mostly at St. John’s University. reform in these parts — but the state actually has a clear interest in keeping the Catholic schools healthy. If they’re all Margaret Carter, who runs the program, explains that the “focus forced to close, Timothy Cardinal Dolan estimates, New is on board development, marketing, enrollment management... Yorkers would be on the hook for another $3 billion a year to things that principals might not have looked at in past.” educate these children. Cara Joyce, daughter of a lifelong Catholic school educator, knows Catholic schools have a long history of high performance and an the old and the new realities. After graduating from Holy Cross infrastructure of expert, caring teachers and principals. But once College five years ago, she volunteered (through Americorps) at they go away, we can’t get them back. the Connelly Middle School on the Lower East Side. Its students come entirely from low-income minority families. From New York Post, January 31, 201 3©New York Post. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. 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