Nov 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In the ongoing national dialogue on the future of Catholic schools, local leaders in the Dayton Deanery also gathered last month to discuss the future of Catholic schools in their region.
The Dayton Deanery has 20 elementary schools and three high schools. Demographic shifts in the deanery, including the movement of people from one neighborhood to another and a lower birth rate, require Catholic schools to restructure in order to maintain their viability. According to a report by Lenore Christopher, school leaders seem to be very optimistic about the future.
"We are facing change, but we have an opportunity to live it out in the fullness of our faith," Anne Battes, deputy superintendent of Catholic schools, reportedly said.
Nearly 100 participants — pastors, principals, business and parish leaders — met at the University of Dayton Arena Oct. 20.They were divided into small groups and were asked to consider the strengths and weaknesses of four scenarios, prepared by a local think tank on Catholic education, and to offer recommendations.