Diocese of Scranton Statement Regarding
SDACT Accusation Concerning Michael Milz
 

In a news release issued on July 18, 2008, the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) again falsely accuses the Diocese of Scranton of “targeting” and “firing” Michael Milz because of his union activity.

SDACT falsely accuses the Diocese of concocting a plot to terminate Mr. Milz, and then lying about it to the public and the media. SDACT even makes the outlandish call for the resignations of Bishop Martino and Diocesan administrators for allegedly perpetrating this conspiracy.

This is the latest salvo in SDACT’s misinformation campaign against the Bishop and the Diocese. As usual, the accusations are preposterous and have no merit.

The Diocese stands by its actions and will continue to communicate the truth. In the case of the hiring policy for teachers, the facts are these:  

The number of teachers needed is based on enrollment and course selection. For example, the number of students registered for a particular course determines the number of teachers needed who are certified in that particular discipline.

Because of enrollment declines and course selections, eight teachers were laid off at the conclusion of the 2007-08 school year. Michael Milz and another teacher in the social studies department at Holy Redeemer High School were among those laid off because they had the least seniority in that department. No one was fired. The layoffs were determined strictly according to the criteria used in previous years. There were no other factors involved. The criteria are:  

• Seniority based on years of continuous service in the Diocese of Scranton. Seniority will apply to positions in a given geographical system (not across systems), within secondary category grades 9-12 and elementary category grades K-8, and within specific fields of competence.
• Religion Certification: all teachers have six years from their date of hire to complete six required theological courses offered by the Diocesan Pastoral Formation Institute.
• State Certification: permanent certification (LEVEL II certificate) is required after three years of successful teaching (the state may extend this period to six years) in a particular subject area, along with completion of specific coursework required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Pastor’s Letter confirming that the teacher is a practicing Catholic and in full communion with the Church. If not Catholic, the teacher must have a letter from the appropriate representative of his/her faith tradition. (This policy has been in effect for many years. All current teachers have obtained their letter; any new hires will need a letter.)

If additional positions are needed due to attrition or enrollment increases between now and the beginning of the 2008-09 school year, teachers who have been laid off will receive first consideration for these openings.