Bishop approves new model for Catholic education in Fremont |
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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 00:00 |
FREMONT—Bishop Leonard P. Blair has approved the creation of Bishop Hoffman Catholic School in Fremont for the 2010-2011 academic year.
The new school is to incorporate two elementary schools and one high school into a new model for Catholic education in the city.
A committee of Catholic school professionals and volunteers known as the Holy Family Formation Team (HFFT) reviewed six potential organizational models throughout last year, and the proposed model for reorganization of the local Catholic schools was presented to Bishop Blair in December 2009.
Bishop James R. Hoffman, a Fremont native and son of Fremont St. Ann, served as bishop of the Diocese of Toledo from 1981 until his death Feb. 8, 2003.
“We are very pleased that Bishop Blair granted our request to name the consolidated school after Bishop Hoffman,” said Father Thomas Extejt, pastor of St. Ann. “He was devoted to Catholic schools, as I know well from my 19 years as pastor of parishes with schools in Toledo’s central city.”
Under the new model, the current Sacred Heart parish school is to become Bishop Hoffman School — East Campus for grades pre-kindergarten through three. The current St. Joseph parish school is to become Bishop Hoffman School — West Campus for the fourth through eighth grades, and the current St. Joseph Central Catholic High School is to become Bishop Hoffman High School for grades nine through 12. As classes will no longer be held in the St. Ann school building, the parish will find an alternative use that is consistent with the purposes of a Catholic community.
The HFFT committee, which includes representatives of all local parishes, believes that the plan holds the most promise for superior growth opportunities for their young people, financial stability for the schools and a just pay scale for teachers and staff.
Carol Collins, the facilitator for the process said she witnessed a deep appreciation for the formation team’s Catholic faith, and a very strong and vital commitment to Catholic education. “This unification is a next step for them, as they work to provide a superior Catholic education for the students in the Fremont area,” she said.
Father David Bruning, pastor of St. Joseph, said, “I am pleased that Bishop Blair has given approval to the hard work of our Holy Family Formation Team in submitting this proposal. Much work remains to be done, but we are on the right path for our schools."
Father Ken Lill, pastor of Sacred Heart, acknowledged that while much work has been accomplished, there is more to do for the unification. “I am excited and optimistic about the future of education in the Fremont community,” he said.
The process of selecting a superintendent to lead the reorganized school has begun. The superintendent is to be responsible for hiring administrators, teachers and staff, developing curriculum in accordance with diocesan guidelines and making decisions on salaries, tuition rates and parish subsidies.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 May 2010 13:40 |
