Diocese of Scranton Announces Final Plan
for Reorganization of Catholic Schools
in Bradford, Lycoming, Monroe and Pike
Counties
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The Diocese
of Scranton has announced the final plan for
the reorganization of Catholic schools in
Bradford, Lycoming, Monroe and Pike
Counties.
Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.,
Bishop of Scranton, noted that the plan is
the culmination of a 17-month process
focused on the goal of “preserving and
advancing Catholic education in the 21st
century.”
The Strategic Planning Process was
coordinated by Meitler Consultants, Inc., a
national firm recognized for its expertise
in educational planning.
The consultants presented their preliminary
recommendations in January. Local
Consultative Groups and other interested
parties representing the schools provided
feedback that was reviewed by the
consultants, who then presented their final
recommendations to Bishop Martino.
The Bishop expressed his gratitude to the
many people who participated in the process.
He specifically acknowledged the following:
·
Pastors
·
Principals
·
Faculties/Staffs
·
Families
·
Students
·
Diocesan officials
·
Local Consultative Groups
·
Steering Committee Members
·
Task Force Members
·
Finance Committee Members
·
Parent Groups
·
Local government officials
“The Diocese of Scranton remains firm in its
commitment to provide students with an
excellent Catholic education,” Bishop
Martino said. “May we all be united in
prayer with a common purpose to work
together to provide a Catholic education
rooted in faith and academic excellence, and
that is affordable for our families for many
years to come.”
The final plan for Bradford, Lycoming,
Monroe and Pike Counties consists of the
following:
Final Decisions Regarding School Redesign in
Bradford County
1. St. Agnes School, Towanda, will become
PreK to grade 6. Students wishing to
continue in Catholic school junior high and
high school will be encouraged to attend
grades 7 and 8 at Epiphany School in Sayre
and grades 9 to 12 at Notre Dame High School
in Elmira, New York. (Bus transportation
is available from Towanda to Sayre, and then
on to Elmira.)
Strategies
1.1 If future enrollment at St. Agnes School
increases sufficiently to support a quality
junior high program, consideration should be
given to re-establishing this program.
1.2 If junior high enrollment does not
increase to 35 or more students in the next
few years, Epiphany School should become
PreK to grade 6.
Rationale
• These schools lose students from grades 6
to 7 in part because few of them will attend
Catholic high school.
• Epiphany School has a total of 18 students
in grades 7 and 8.
• St. Agnes School has a total of 10
students in grades 7 and 8. While the
current grade 6 class has 19 students, it is
the largest class in the school with much
smaller classes in grades 5 and 7. There is
also a seven-year average attrition rate of
3 to 4 students each year at each grade from
grades 4 to 7.
• It is difficult to provide a quality
academic and co-curricular junior high
program for so few students at each school.
• Transportation is available from Towanda
to Sayre to Elmira for students attending
Notre Dame High School in Elmira.
2. Both schools will be brought into a
system with Lackawanna and Wayne County
Catholic schools. A Bradford County Ad Hoc
Committee of the system board will be
established to work specifically with the
administration of the two schools to develop
and implement a strategic plan to increase
enrollment and stabilize finances.
Strategies
2.1 Committee membership will be both clergy
and lay persons with knowledge, commitment
and appropriate expertise.
2.2 The Committee will report to the
combined Counties Board but Committee
members will be from Bradford County and
need not be members of the Board.
Rationale
• Utilizes the expertise of both clergy and
laity in shared decision-making.
• Provides greater opportunity and resources
for effective marketing and development
efforts.
3. A strategic plan will be developed for
each school which includes specific
enrollment and financial goals.
Strategies
3.1 Promote and energetically market each of
these schools.
• Conduct exit interviews with families who
withdraw students to assist in the
development and implementation of strategies
to increase recruitment and retention.
• Develop specific marketing strategies for
Epiphany School to attract the potential
pool of additional students from the
Waverly, New York area and the children of
medical clinic personnel in Sayre.
• Explore the feasibility of providing
transportation to St. Agnes School from
areas of Sullivan County to attract
additional students and increase the PreK to
grade 6 enrollment.
3.2 The system board in collaboration with
the Bradford Ad Hoc Committee will closely
monitor progress toward these goals over the
next three years.
3.3 If enrollment in a school does not
appear to be increasing to an average of 20
per class in grades K, 1 and 2, the school
should close.
Rationale – Epiphany School
• Epiphany School has a good facility and is
in a good location.
• PreK was added at Epiphany School in 2006
and has 9 enrolled in the class.
• There is no other Catholic school in the
Sayre area. The school has the potential to
draw students from over the border in New
York State where there is no Catholic school
and from the nearby medical clinic.
• There is a slight increase in baptisms in
the parish.
• There are indications that more people are
being attracted to the parish.
• 64% of the enrollment in 2005-06 came from
Epiphany Parish.
• School subsidy from Epiphany Parish was
equal to 57% of the parish offertory in
2004-05.
• Enrollment in grades K through 8 is 102
students.
• Most of the students who remain for grades
7 and 8 attend Notre Dame Catholic High
School in Elmira, New York.
Rationale – St. Agnes School
• There is no other Catholic school in the
Towanda area.
• Most of the enrollment comes from SS Peter
and Paul Parish.
• The public school is consolidating due to
decreased enrollment.
• Some of the enrollment loss since 2002 is
attributed to administrative issues.
• The school draws enrollment from the
Wyalusing and Troy areas.
• School subsidy from SS Peter and Paul
Parish was equal to 34% of the parish
offertory income in 2004-05.
• Enrollment in grades K through 8 is 105
students.
4. All parishes in Bradford County will
support these schools according to a
consistent formula based on parish income
and utilizing a sliding scale.
Rationale
• Provides a more equitable financial
structure for parishes and schools.
Final Decisions Regarding School Redesign in
Lycoming County
1. The current St. John Neumann PreK-12
system will be maintained and strengthened,
and the strategic plan developed in 2005-06
will be implemented.
Strategies
1.1 Closely monitor the enrollment and
finances of the system to see if further
adjustments are needed and to ensure that
enrollment supports the provision of a
quality program, especially in grades 7 to
12.
1.2 Implement a comprehensive public
relations and marketing plan to promote the
advantages, success and stability of the new
system.
1.3 Provide diocesan oversight of the
accounting function for the system.
1.4 The system will be established as a
public juridic person and a separate civil
corporation.
Rationale
• The school in Williamsport successfully
underwent a major reorganization for the
2006-07 school year and has begun to
implement a three-year strategic plan.
• There is an active finance committee of
businessmen who have been empowered by the
pastors to oversee the budget and finances.
• Enrollment remained healthy after the
restructuring.
• There are no other Catholic schools in
Lycoming County.
• Significant development efforts have
already been initiated.
2. A board of limited jurisdiction will be
established for the Lycoming County Catholic
school system comprised of clergy and lay
leaders to govern the system and provide
leadership for strategic planning,
development efforts and marketing.
Strategies
2.1 The board will work closely with
Business Leaders Organized for Catholic
Schools (BLOCS) of Lycoming County and the
Eck Foundation in its development efforts.
2.2 The board will monitor implementation
and progress of the strategic plan and
update the plan as needed.
2.3 The board will have direct
accountability to the Diocese of Scranton
and indirect accountability to the
sponsoring parishes.
Rationale
• Utilizes the expertise of both clergy and
laity in shared decision-making.
• Provides for greater continuity in the
face of future pastoral changes and fewer
priests.
• Frees pastors from some administrative
responsibilities.
3. Consider the feasibility of locating St.
John Neumann Regional Schools in
Williamsport on a single site or two sites
geographically close to each other in the
near future.
Strategies
3.1 Explore the feasibility of adding a
middle school wing which would allow the
present intermediate building to become a
primary campus.
3.2 Maintain early childhood centers at
appropriate locations to serve the needs of
families and act as feeder schools to the
elementary school.
3.3 The primary campus in Bastress which
presently houses grades PK to 3 should be
maintained to ensure the presence of
Catholic education to the population of that
area which is twelve miles west of
Williamsport.
3.4 The new governing board should evaluate
implementation of the current three-year
plan and begin to develop a plan for the
following five years.
Rationale
• The proximity will provide benefits to the
program and students at the middle school
level and should reduce utility and
maintenance costs.
• Students in primary, middle and upper
grades from the same family will be located
in the same geographic area.
Final Decisions Regarding School Redesign in
Monroe County
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT MSGR. MCHUGH ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
1. There are 6,200 registered households
among the 7 parishes supporting Msgr. McHugh
School.
2. Supporting parishes baptized 145 infants
in 2004, down from 212 in 1999.
3. Supporting parishes have 1,100 students
in their religious education programs.
4. Enrollment declined from 466 in 2001-02
to 330 in 2006-07, a decline of 25%.
5. Attrition from grade to grade is a major
concern for Msgr. McHugh School. Losses were
↓31,
↓86,
↓40,
↓25
in the years 2003 to 2006. 2006-07
enrollment appears to be an improvement over
recent years.
6. Msgr. McHugh School is operating at 70%
of capacity, with 150 empty seats.
7. Non-Catholic students comprise 15% of
enrollment.
8. With a strong program, excellent
reputation, good marketing/communications,
and quality facilities, the school should be
able to maintain full enrollment with double
classes.
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
1. There are 8,900 registered households
among the 4 parishes supporting Notre Dame
Elementary School. This number appears to
have grown 9% from four years prior.
2. Supporting parishes baptized 246 infants
in 2004. While the number was stable for the
last two years, it is down about 20% from
the year 2000 and earlier, when infant
baptisms were over 300.
3. Supporting parishes have 2,300 students
in their religious education programs.
4. K to 8 enrollment at Notre Dame
Elementary School and Middle School has
remained relatively unchanged at 535
students for 2006-07. PreK enrollment has
grown to 41 students.
5. There are enough children seeking
Catholic education to fill a third class per
grade, building from Kindergarten through
8th grade.
6. Notre Dame Elementary School has 14%
enrollment from non-Catholics and the middle
school has 8% enrollment from non-Catholics.
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
1. Enrollment at Notre Dame High School in
2006-07 is 272 students, an increase of 25
from 2000-01. There were some on the waiting
list for 9th grade.
2. When classrooms in the new building are
finished, Notre Dame High School could house
90 freshmen, raising enrollment capacity to
between 360 to 380.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
1. Monroe County had a population of 138,687
in 2000 and has an estimated population of
163,000 in 2005, an increase of over 24,000
in five years. The county is projected to
grow by another 61,000 persons between 2005
and 2020, reaching a potential population of
224,000.
2. The four largest growth areas are:
Chestnut Hill Township, Coolbaugh Township,
Middle Smithfield Township, and Tunkhannock
Township.
3. Among Catholic children enrolled in a
formal Catholic education program, 17%
attend Catholic schools. This is below the
diocesan average of 24%.
FINAL DECISIONS
1. Msgr. McHugh Elementary School, Notre
Dame Elementary School and Notre Dame
Middle/High School will be brought under a
single governance system with a board of
limited jurisdiction responsible for PreK
through 12th grade Catholic education in
Monroe County.
Rationale:
• Allows for enhancement of programs,
greater sharing of resources and better
stewardship of limited funds.
• Enables better articulation and
consistency of curriculum PreK to 12.
• Provides a more equitable financial
structure for all involved in providing
Catholic education. Helps to maintain
affordability of Catholic schools for
parents and parishes.
• Provides a system in which future changes
related to program, enrollment and finances
can be made strategically within the best
interest of the region.
• Provides for greater continuity in the
face of future pastoral changes, parish
reconfigurations and fewer priests. Enables
priests to concentrate on being the
spiritual leader rather than the Chief
Financial Officer of the school.
• Moves schools from competition for
resources and students to cooperation in
providing affordable, quality Catholic
education.
• Provides greater opportunity and resources
for effective marketing and development
through coordinated, combined efforts.
• Provides consistent policies for admission
and tuition across the system.
• Operates with a common standard of
accountability. Facilitates consistent
business management and financial reporting.
• Utilizes the expertise of both clergy and
laity with shared responsibility for
decision-making.
• Most schools are regional in terms of the
residences of the students. A system
approach reflects this reality.
2. Msgr. McHugh Elementary School as part of
the Monroe County Catholic school system
will make a greater investment in marketing
and recruitment as well as communications
with parishes and the community to shore up
enrollment in the lower grades and benefit
the school in many other ways.
Strategies
2.1 To reach full enrollment, the school
will have to increase the share of children
coming from supporting parishes and, more
importantly, improve retention to 98% or
better.
2.2 Study reasons for parents leaving Msgr.
McHugh School and take strategic steps to
stem the outflow of students.
2.3 Put a particular emphasis on marketing
Pre-Kindergarten.
2.4 Continue to market to families who are
not Catholic. Maintain a market share
outside the Catholic community long-term.
3. Investment needs to be made in the
facilities at Msgr. McHugh Elementary School
to address maintenance issues and upgrade
areas for educational and marketing reasons.
Strategies
3.1 Develop a long-range facility plan with
a budget. Set priorities and develop a
capital funding plan.
3.2 As part of a larger development
initiative and in response to facility
needs, build a case for conducting a capital
fund drive. Cultivate a base of support
through the work of the new board, strategic
planning, communications and education in
the wider community.
4. The new governing board for Monroe County
Catholic Schools will establish an ad hoc
committee to study the feasibility of
expanding elementary enrollment capacity in
growing parts of the county and accommodate
waiting lists at Notre Dame Elementary
School. Possibilities to study are:
• Open a PreK through grade 8 school at Our
Lady Queen of Peace Parish.
• Build a new elementary school on the
campus of Notre Dame Middle School and Notre
Dame High School.
• Partner with the Diocese of Allentown to
provide Catholic education for students at
Catholic schools in Northampton County;
namely at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School,
Immaculate Conception School and Pius X High
School.
5. The strategic plan for Notre Dame
Elementary and High School will be updated
and a fresh and compelling case prepared to
continue development efforts.
Strategies
5.1 As pledges are paid from the latest
cycle of capital fundraising, roll out an
updated strategic plan as the work of a new
board. Present a fresh and compelling case
to complete capital projects at all levels
and reduce debt.
5.2 As part of the strategic plan, work to
pay off debt on the new high school. As debt
is reduced and funding comes available,
finish high school classrooms, expand the
cafeteria, convert the auditorium for fine
arts, and complete the facility to
accommodate a larger enrollment of 380.
6. Work toward a goal of 95 freshmen for
Notre Dame High School and enrollment
capacity of 360 to 380.
Strategies
6.1 Make an ongoing investment in marketing
and public relations. Increase enrollment
from Msgr. McHugh School and from Pike
County. Study the feasibility of providing
transportation to Pike County. Work to
increase enrollment of non-Catholic
students.
6.2 Larger enrollment in the high school
will provide new possibilities to expand
educational programs and give more options
to students. More enrollment will provide a
stronger base of funding to support quality
programs.
6.3 A new elementary school in Monroe County
will make a major difference in growing and
sustaining high school enrollment.
7. Determine the need for developing an
individualized instruction program at the
elementary and high school level for
students in Monroe County.
Strategy
7.1 This program should be patterned after
the existing program in Luzerne County for
students with special needs.
Final Decisions Regarding School Redesign in
Pike County
1. A long-range planning committee to
determine the feasibility of establishing a
new Catholic elementary school will be
formed in the Pike Deanery by the fall of
2007. The committee will be made up of lay
people and pastors with specific expertise,
vision and leadership capable of forming a
plan and cultivating support for a new
school. The committee will have
accountability to the local parishes and the
Office of Catholic Schools. All five
parishes of the Pike Deanery will
participate on the committee.
Rationale:
• Initial studies indicate the population
base is growing and will be sufficient to
support a Catholic elementary school.
• The site for a new school should be
central to the larger population centers
with relatively convenient access to
Interstate 84.
• The new school should provide PreK through
8th grade. Younger grades should be opened
first to provide a reliable feeder for
enrollment to the upper grades.
• The committee will need assistance from
the diocese and outside consultants in
conducting the feasibility study.
2. The initial work of the long-range
planning committee for a new school will be:
• Formulate a mission and overall vision for
a new school
• Validate the grade structure
• Define the niche the school will fulfill
in the educational marketplace and identify
the type and scope of programs the school
will offer
• Validate data in past studies and
formulate an enrollment projection
• When preliminary steps are completed,
conduct a survey of potential parents to
determine real enrollment potential
• Determine the overall design and all costs
associated with acquiring land, construction
and start-up of a new school
• Form a plan and timeline for raising
capital funds
• Work collaboratively with Deanery parishes
to educate the Catholic community and build
ownership for the mission of a new school
• With guidance from the Office of Catholic
Schools, determine the type of governance
structure under which the school would
eventually operate
3. The Diocese of Scranton in concert with
the parishes of the Pike Deanery will
consider the purchase of property for a
possible school site as soon as a more
thorough study of sites can be completed.
The property should be large enough to
support a school with an enrollment of 500,
and provide space for further expansion if
it should ever be necessary. This is likely
to be the only school in Pike County long
term. The property can be purchased as an
investment of the Diocese and parishes until
a feasible plan for a new school is accepted
and funded.
4. The parishes and the Diocese will work
together to form a capital funding plan for
the feasibility study and potential
construction and furnishing of school
facilities.
5. If a new school is built, a decision will
be made as to whether it should be part of
another system or be governed under its own
board of limited jurisdiction.
