From Commission Co-Chairs: John McMahon and Karen Rauenhorst
On June 20, 2011, the Catholic Schools Commission reviewed and voted on its final draft recommendations. The Commission’s final recommendations were delivered to the Archbishop on June 27, 2011.
The Commission co-chairs would like to thank everyone who has shared input, insights, and prayers during the Commission’s work. The input and efforts of many have enhanced the recommendations, and set the foundation for a collaborative approach going forward. In August, the Archbishop and inaugural members of the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Advisory Council will lead a discussion outlining the strategy, initiatives and priorities for strengthening the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese. Catholic school principals and presidents as well as pastors and parish business administrators with schools have been invited to attend this August gathering. There remains much implementation work that will be the responsibility of the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Advisory Council working collaboratively with leaders from Catholic schools from throughout the Archdiocese.
The Commission would like to offer its special thanks to everyone who participated in the web surveys this spring and summer. Results from three web surveys during April through mid-June were shared with Commission members. A total of 392 pastors, parish business administrators, principals/presidents and parish finance council members participated in the funding models/financial survey. A total of 66 principals/presidents and marketing directors/coordinators participated in the marketing leader survey. Nearly 2,500 parents (parents of school age children in Catholic and/or not in Catholic schools as well as parents of soon-to-be school age children) have participated in a parent survey which remains open.
Please visit archspm.org this fall for an update on outcomes of the work of the Catholic Schools Commission.