Meitler Consultants Presents Preliminary Recommendations 
 for Catholic Schools in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

 
Meitler Consultants, Inc., the national firm engaged by the Diocese of Scranton to develop a strategic plan for its Catholic schools, presented its preliminary recommendations for the schools in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties at a meeting Nov. 15 at St. Mary’s Center in Scranton.

The recommendations were presented to Bishop Joseph F. Martino and the groups that have been involved in the Strategic Planning Process: a Steering Committee (Diocesan officials), Catholic Schools Office personnel, Local Consultative Groups (representatives of each school and its parish leadership), a Task Force (advisory group with members possessing expertise, experience and familiarity with schools), Finance Committee, pastors and principals.

The Bishop will now evaluate the recommendations with input from these groups. Meitler will review this feedback and prepare its final recommendations for Bishop Martino’s consideration.

Meitler presented its preliminary recommendations for the schools in Luzerne County at a meeting Nov. 14 in Wilkes-Barre. The same evaluation process will ensue.

By the end of January 2007, the Bishop will promulgate the strategic plan for Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.

Subsequently, preliminary recommendations for Lycoming, Bradford, Monroe and Pike Counties will be made on Jan. 17 and 18, 2007, followed by feedback from the local groups and then final recommendations coming in March 2007.

(Note: The schools in Lycoming County had previously completed a self-study and have implemented a reorganization through the establishment of St. John Neumann Regional Academy.)

The Strategic Planning Process that will culminate in a reorganization of the Catholic school system in the Diocese has involved more than a year’s worth of work and collaboration between Meitler Consultants, Diocesan officials, pastors, principals, faculty, parents and others representing each institution.

Since his arrival in 2003, Bishop Martino has heard from both individual pastors and consultative bodies of his clergy of the need for systemic change in the way Catholic schools are organized and financed. It has been apparent that the schools are facing serious challenges including demographic changes that, in some areas, have reduced the potential pool of students; steadily declining enrollments; aging facilities; and financial pressures on parents and the parishes that support the schools.

It is for these reasons that Bishop Martino initiated the Strategic Planning Process when he commissioned a comprehensive analysis of the schools and the development of a plan that will preserve and advance Catholic education to ensure its availability for current and future generations.

All of the facts and figures and the preliminary recommendations made by Meitler Consultants are available to the public on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseofscranton.org.