Questions and Answers from January 19 Town Hall
Consolidation of St. Mary Magdalene (SMM) and St. Justin Martyr (SJM) Schools
 
 
Section A: Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities
 
A1
Athletic Programs
Both parishes already have CYO programs and some teams are independent; Athletic Association will meet to discuss their future.
 
A2
Cub Scouts Pack
Scouting is a separate organization that uses our facilities; will need to check interest with the families; evening meetings can continue to meet at SMM facilities. 
 
Section B: Curriculum/School Structure

B1
Teaching in school and Parish Sacramental Preparation- 2 Times
Both schools follow the diocesan guidelines for the teaching of the faith.  Pastors from both SJM and SMM parishes will participate in all special activities as is currently happening.  Both parishes have sacramental preparation programs and celebrations in addition to the teaching received in the school. For example, over the years at SJM we have had parishioners from Holy Redeemer and St. Paul Croatian.  They worked together in the classroom and had their sacramental preparation and celebrations at their home parishes.  We will need to coordinate our efforts more because of the larger numbers from the two parishes.
 
B2
Need for Spanish Language course at no additional cost.
A Spanish course would be a great educational enhancement.  There will always be some cost for materials and teaching.  The consolidated school and larger enrollments should help to make such a course more affordable.  It will need to be investigated.
 
 
B3
Formation of a "consolidated school" structure
In announcing this consolidation we wanted to stress that both SMM and SJM would have a strong, necessary commitment to the consolidated school to better provide for quality Catholic education for our parish students and families.   Our phrasing could have been better.  The many questions that have arisen have helped to clarify and develop the many implications of this new description "consolidated school."  There are still many aspects to be worked out.  Both communities are joining in the task of working them out and communicating the results of their efforts.
 
The students of SMM and SJM will be combined in the classrooms.
 
B4
Junior High Level
Yes, because experience has shown our students are adjusted to high school in changing classes.       
 
B5
SMM & SJM Parish Support one consolidated school- 2 times
SJM and SMM parishes will be supporting students from both parishes.  Both parishes are financially supporting the consolidated school as we did the separate schools---parish assistance to all students extra tuition aid for families in need.
 
B6
Starting and Ending time
Yes, there will be a single start and end time.  This will be determined in conjunction with the Willoughby-Eastlake Transportation department.
 
Section C: Enrollment
 
C1
Class Size
Class size needs to balance the educational needs of the students and the financial realities that provide for those needs.  Many grandparents remember classes of 50 children in a single room with little or no tuition.  Those days are gone.  Our class numbers currently range from a high of 30 to a low of 11 with most of the classes in the low 20's.  The classes will most likely be in the same range and our tuition will support this.  As the enrollment is finalized we will be able to be more specific.
 
C2
What would happen if enrollment increases?
Based on our history of the last few years, our objective to form a consolidated school is hopeful and realistic.  We will continue with our consolidation.  We would be happy to reevaluate some aspects of our plans if we have a significant, confirmed increase in enrollment for next year.
 
C3
The future of the Consolidated school- 2 times
Our consolidated school will provide a more stable and predictable student population and educational environment than has been possible recently in our separate schools.  Because it is more cost effective it will be more affordable for the parishes and the families.  We will need to continue to emphasize the faith and academic quality of our schools.   We need to improve our recruiting and outreach efforts to potential students and families.
 
C4
Is there a chance St. Mary Magdalene will re-open in the future? 
SMMS and SJMS are being consolidated so that we can better serve the ministry of quality Catholic education for our parishes.  Neither is closing, both are changing.
 
C5
Preschool
Preschool issues are being worked on. 
 
Section D: Tuition
 
D1
Tuition and Financial Aid
Yes.  The PSAS and enrollment forms will be out during Catholic School's week. Tuition for 2006-2007 will be $2,570 per student and Registration/Education Fee $130 per student for a combined total of $2,700 per student.  This is before any extra aid is applied for. Each Parish independently funds the extra tuition assistance for its students as they have in the past.
 
D2
Determining the Tuition
The Finance Councils of the parishes.

D3
Why didn't we proceed as we are and the timing of decision
Both parish Finance Councils were predicting an approximate increase of at least $300 dollars and from our history considered this to be very dangerous to the immediate and long range future of the schools.  Enrollment dropped significantly this current year even though there was no increase at SMM and $50 increase at SJM.  The consolidated school is the hopeful and realistic option.
 
Section E: Fundraising
 
E1
What happens with our fundraising efforts?
Fundraising by school and parish groups is done to support the mission of the Church.  It is done through the cooperation of groups and the parish and school administration.  The groups and administration will determine the use of the funds.  We will need to plan to discuss what efforts to combine and how to use the funds raised.
 
E2
What is the purpose and impact of fundraising?
Fundraising is a very important to the educational environment.   It provides needed equipment, supplies and programs that enhance the educational experience for the students.  Some even helps families in need.  Working together is vital to the community of the school.  It will not pay the personnel costs (faculty & staff) for the school but it does help the students and staff to enjoy their work together more.  Fundraising at SMMS makes up 5% of the total budget.
 
Section F: General Consolidation Questions

F1
2006-07 Graduation- 2 times
They will graduate from the consolidated school. We will determine the place of graduation.  The place still needs to be decided.
 
F2
Alumni visits
Yes, we will encourage and welcome the involvement of former students from both schools.   

F3
SMM assets and property
We hope everything of value to our school children can be used in the new consolidated school.  Any remaining items will be used in the ministry of SMM parish.
 
F4
Will there be a document given to parents addressing and answering the many specific questions concerning this consolidation?
Yes, as the answers are available.

Section G: Lukek Fund
 
G1
Lukek Fund
See our quarterly financial statement for the Lukek Fund amounts.  Lukek Fund will be used for tuition aid to students of SMM parish.
 
Section H: Other Parishes
 
H1
Other parishes
All the parishes of Western Lake County have talked with one another and worked together in many ways to provide quality Catholic education for our area.  Each parish is responsible for its mission in its area and for cooperating with others to enhance the mission of all.  Geography, school districts and civil boundaries make some partnerships easier to achieve than others.  The fact that SMM and SJM are close to each other, have similar tuition and fees, have a similar enrollment history and belong to the same school district simplifies some things for our consolidation.

If OLMC decides to merge they will be welcome if there is space in our new consolidated school.
 
H2
OLMC- 3 times
We are continuing dialogue with OLMC. They have a Spanish language program and we may be able to learn a lot from them. OLMC inadvertently published an earlier draft which had been revised in consultation with all three parishes. The final draft approved by all and our intent is to continue in dialogue. Remember that there are many possibilities other than what we have chosen to do in this consolidation. OLMC is free to pursue another course. If OLMC decides to merge they will be welcome to merge with us.
 
H3
Will the consolidated school possibly close if not enough SMM students merge?
No

 
Section I: St. Mary Magdalene's Physical Plant
 
I1
What are your plans for the St. Mary Magdalene building?
The parish will continue to use the school building to serve the needs of the parish.  We have no immediate plans for other uses of our building.   Our first concern is for a smooth transition for our parish and school families into a consolidated school.


Section J: Teachers and Staff
 
J1
Principals, Teachers and staff-5 times
Both schools follow the diocesan guidelines for employment in Catholic schools. Teachers sign a contract for one year at a time and have done so for years. Many teachers have had long and productive careers in our schools. The more stability we have in our student population, the more stability we have when it comes to signing contracts for the new year. Teachers will be chosen to provide the best education for our students. The number of teachers will be decided on the basis of our enrollment. This is an anxious time for us all. The sooner we have a confirmed enrollment the sooner we can make the necessary decisions. And, again, one of the main reasons to consolidate is to provide the stability which is so important for principals, teachers, staffs, students and families. We need to decide on  a principal.  The decision has not been made.

The teachers are dedicated to the education of our students. We will work to support them in this difficult time of transition.
 
Section K: Transportation
 
K1
Transportation
W-E School transportation will provide the details, but in general W-E school district provides transportation to students with district that live more than one mile from the school.
 
Section L:Willowick and Surrounding Communities
 
L1
New housing projects
An analysis of census data over the last 5 years has shown a slight rise in the number of household and a slight decline in population;  a rise in the average age of the population and a steady decline in the school age population. New housing does not automatically translate into new students.
 
L2
Willoughby-Eastlake School System?
We have a good working relationship with WE over the years that has been a benefit to both.
 
L3
City Council  and Mayor
We believe that SMM and the many churches who have never had a school all contribute a great deal to the city of Willowick and will continue to do so. Part of SMM parish is in Eastlake. We are consolidating the schools so that families who live in our two parishes can continue to have access to quality Catholic education. This will benefit our communities.

L4
Willowick and surrounding communities
Willowick is a  beautiful community.  The parish community of SMM has always been known for its welcoming and hospitable nature.  with the increase of people coming into Willowick, we hope that parishioners and communally will continue to welcome those new to the community.

Section M: Other Questions
 
M1
The future of SMM parish
Our parish community will remain.  It will continue to serve the needs our parishioners the best we can including the support of our school parents in our new consolidated school.

Yes, by the cooperation out two communities will realize the building up of the Body of Christ.

M2
Planning
Vibrant Parish II asked us to look five years into the future and we are doing this.  There will be more information about this from the Diocese in the months to come.

M3
Parent Association carpet rooms
Buildings will continue to serve the needs of the parish. Two rooms were carpeted on the basis of a recommendation from the Health Dept.

M4
Timing of Consolidation Announcement
We needed to meet with the Office of Catholic Education first and receive their recommendations on how to proceed. We needed to receive the approval of the Bishop before it was official.

M5
Parish Involvement in the decision
The whole of both parish communities is affected by this decision. We have addressed the future of our parishes in different forums – Parish Council, Finance Council, Feasibility Study, annual reports. The decline in parish school enrollment and the corresponding rise in costs to families and the parish should not be a surprise to anyone. Nevertheless, the magnitude of this change is a shock. The timing was driven by the realization of the large tuition increase necessary if we were not to make a change. It would be unrealistic to assume that a large tuition increase would not have a disastrous impact on enrollment. As leaders of the parishes we made the decision that consolidation now, though difficult, was in the best interests of our parishes and especially our school families. We believe that as we work together through the many details of this consolidation we will develop a better future for us all. We had to begin sometime and this is the time.

M6
Inner-city Catholic Schools
The Bishop reminds us often that we keep Catholic education available in the city because we are Catholic.  We are not closing our school but consolidating our building with the neighboring parish community.

M7
Further inner parish collaboration
Vibrant Parish Life II will help us address this concern in the near future.  For right now, our concern is for providing a quality Catholic education for our parish children.  We need to address one thing at a time.

M8
What is the status of Bingo?
We have not applied for a license.  Bingo is still being considered as a fundraising effort.

M9
Trust in the future
We hope that our future journey toward a consolidated school together, find us strengthening and rebuilding trust in one another.  When life is difficult and we are faced with the unexpected, we need to continue to trust in the love and power of God.  Even in the face of difficult times we need to believe that God is with us.