South City Schools Change, Challenge and Choice “A Vision for the Future” October 30, 2016

Welcome and Prayer

Agenda Welcome and Prayer Change – Historical Context Introductions Challenge Choices for Catholic Elementary Education in South City Choice of a New Model for the Schools in the Area Discussion Next Steps Concluding Prayer

Change – Historical Context In the city and in our parish we have fewer Catholics, fewer baptisms and as a result, fewer Catholic children. School enrollment changes Increasing costs, tuition, scholarship assistance Flat offertory collections Decreasing or no parish reserves

Guests Pastors: Fr. Peter Blake Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Fr. Chris Dunlap Pastor of St. James the Greater Parish Fr. Craig Holway Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish Rev. Carl Scheble Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish and the Dean of the South City Deanery Msgr. Mark Rivituso Vicar General of the Archdiocese and the Chair of the Archdiocesan School Oversight Committee

Individuals Charged with Developing a Plan Mrs. Maureen DePriest Associate Superintendent for Elementary Schools Mr. Mike Duffy Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Internal Audit Mr. Al Winkelmann Former Associate Superintendent for the Archdiocese

Challenge Develop a plan that will insure that schools: Provide quality academic and faith formation programs Are financially viable and affordable for parishes and parents for the long term Make the best use of limited resources Are available in locations that would allow access for families

The Process Interviewed Dean of South City Deanery and pastors Collected data on all the parishes with schools and carefully reviewed with the various offices in the Curia Analyzed material and information generated through the South City Collaborative planning process Generated options and reviewed as to their implications regarding enrollment, program, facilities and finances and as to their impact on neighboring schools within and outside of the deanery Formulated recommendations for the elementary schools.

Choices for Catholic Elementary Education in South City Key points generated from interviews and research: Reduce competition among the elementary schools for enrollment and funding Create quality schools throughout the city so that parents and students have access to an excellent educational program in any school wherever they live Provide further oversight of all schools to make certain that the schools maintain quality programs and are in fact meeting the ever-changing educational and spiritual needs of students.

Recommendations Create a new position in the Catholic Education Office with responsibility for all of the elementary schools in the South City Deanery. This person would have full authority in the schools operated by the Archdiocese and authority in the newly created corporate model school and working in partnership with the parish elementary schools in this area.

Recommendations - Continued Take steps to ensure that all educational and religious education programs are of similar quality in the schools of the South City Deanery. The Archdiocese would provide funds to assist schools in South City to enhance programs and provide direction in maintaining and placing quality leaders in the elementary schools of the deanery

Choice of a New Model for the Schools in the Area St. James the Greater, Our Lady of Sorrows, and St. Joan of Arc: Face significant challenges and changes in the area of enrollment, finances, and demographics Need an option that creates a viable long term solution to the challenges and changes

Choice of a New Model for the Schools in the Area - Continued Create a new Kindergarten through grade 8 educational entity serving Our Lady of Sorrows, St. James the Greater and St. Joan of Arc Parishes at the site of St. Joan of Arc School for the 2017-18 school year. The new entity will: include an educational program that provides current best practices, be governed by a corporate board of members including the Superintendent of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and a board of directors, require an annual ACA operating grant, require some financial assistance in improving the facility

Program Enhancements - Staff Principal with strong background with curriculum and professional development of staff Business Manager Advancement Director Counselor Social Worker Nurse Learning Consultant Resource Person ESL teacher CRE

Program Enhancements - Continued Art electives Music (chorus, band, and private lessons) Physical education and health Programs that meet the varying needs of students: enrichment, electives, advanced Programming (i.e.: math), clubs, sports teams Foreign language programs STREAM (Science Lab, Makerspace) One to one technology (eliminate computer room) Create partnerships (Des Lee, COCA, Springboard for Learning, Metro Theatre, Clavius Project-Robotics, etc.) Before and After Care

Leadership - Pastors Provide for the spiritual, sacramental and prayer needs of the school community Sit on the corporate board and board of directors Interaction with students, parents and staff

Leadership – Director of City Elementary Schools Main point of contact for principal on all matters pertaining to the daily operation of the school and conduct including weekly on-site meetings Oversees the principal and has decision-making authority in the areas of: Academic programs School personnel, including hiring and dismissal Accreditation and school improvement Enrollment management, with advancement/development director Tuition collections with the school business manager Developing and monitoring of the school budget, with the pastors and board of directors Fundraising and development with the advancement/development director Building issues

Leadership - School Principal Oversees the daily operation of the school Interacts with parents, students and staff on a daily basis Collaborates with pastor and CRE on religious education program Oversees the instructional program Evaluates and supervises teachers Provides for professional development of staff Develops curriculum and oversees effective implementation

Funding Tuition Subsidy from each parish Development and fundraising Annual grant from the Archdiocese

Discussion Process Turn to the three or four individuals near you and respond to three questions: What are the strengths of the plan? What concerns do you have about this plan? What additional questions or comments would you like to raise?

Contact Information Archdiocesan School Oversight Committee Contact Information Phone: 314.792.7308 Email: “Southcityschoolsinfo@archstl.org” U.S. Mail Mrs. Maureen DePriest Catholic Education Office 20 Archbishop May Drive St. Louis, MO 63119 Information also available in the back of church

Next Steps Review and study your input from today’s discussion and any further input Compile and share input with the Archdiocesan School Oversight Committee Continue to communicate regarding plan through the parish and school in the coming weeks Communicate decision

Concluding Prayer