Catholic identity remains strong in schools, despite lack of Religious

SKR: According to an NCEA report, 173 U.S. Catholic schools closed or consolidated and 37 new schools opened during the 2004-05 school year. The report also noted that Catholic school enrollment is currently 2,420,590, a 2.6 percent decrease during the past school year. Even amid the declining enrollment and closings, one-third of all Catholic schools have waiting lists.

The first the big question: Are any Catholic schools facing imminent closure?

Ann Depperschmidt: At the present time we are not planning any closings.

SKR: How is attendance compared to previous years?

AD: This year most schools are reporting an increase in students. None are reporting a decrease .

SKR: Are there waiting lists for any of our schools?

AD: Some of the schools did have waiting list for preschool and kindergarten.

SKR: How are our Catholic schools funded?

AD: All of our schools except for Ellinwood have tuition. That pays a small percentage of the cost. Parishes pay for the expense. This is a great burden for small parishes. Some of the schools have benefitted from endowment funds.

SKR: Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications recently said that we "must, must, must find ways to finance an affordable, quality, Catholic education for every child, whether it be by an endowment appeal, tax credits, tuition grants (or) special scholarship funds from corporations."

How has the Diocese of Dodge City handled the financial struggle many parents face who want to put their kids in Catholic schools?

AD: Last year we started using the Catholic Education Fund to reimburse schools based on their Free/Reduce lunch population. This is also referred to as the SES/ Social Ecnomic Status. This money was to be used to help lower income families. Most schools have some type of scholarship funds. However, those funds are limited. My goal is for the schools to reflect the community. I want this to be true ecnomically and racially.

SKR: Why are there so few women religious and priests teaching, when compared to, say, 40 years ago?

AD: We simply have none available. If you know of any let me know I would be delighted to have them be a part of the schools. Ness City had two nuns, but both were in their 80s until last year. Their presence in the school was a gift to the students and staff. It was a sad day when they left.

SKR: Do children today receive as strong a "Catholic" education at a Catholic school as they did when classes were taught by priests and Religious?

AD: Yes, the schools have a strong Catholic Identity. Religion is a subject but it is something that is taught in every subject matter. It is woven in to everything.

SKR: What are the strengths of a Catholic education?

AD: Knowledge of the Catholic faith; high acdemic standards; effective discipline, with fewer problems or incidents of crime within the school; high level of teacher commitment and student engagement; strong commitment to families; and parent involvement in the child’s education

SKR: Obviously, many Catholic children in the diocese attend public school. How has the diocese addressed the religious education of these students?

AD: The students are in religion programs that are taught once a week.

SKR: Finally, can you briefly discuss one or two issues brought up at the recent pastor/principal meeting?

AD: The meeting is used to update principals and pastors on any changes that we have in law and accreditation; developing a plan for faith formation for tachers; and training for school councils.