Some thoughts on Catholic Education...

Last week, it was announced that the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese was stepping down.

For those of you who did not notice, there was real coordination between the Catholic Standard and Office of Communication. The Catholic Standard arrives in mailboxes for those who subscribe usually on Thursday. The announcement via Twitter (thanks Kat) went out Thursday about 11:30am, as well as, a press release. So, for those who received the Standard on Thursday (thanks Melvin, since I let mine lapse), it may have looked to many that this was sudden. (We know that this was probably in place for a week or so and that the story on the resignation was ready no later than Tuesday, so that it could be printed and mailed.)

By the way, have you noticed there has been no announcement in the Standard or from the Office of Communication that St. Michael's (Silver Spring) will either close or remain open. On parishioner has told me that the pastor and principal are fighting hard to keep it open. But I digress...

In addition, the story in the Standard does not talk at all about the Consortium or the closing of schools this year.

However, the story is not the coordination between the Standard and Office of Communication but the reasons behind it.

For the second major time in her tenure, there was a second round of Catholic Schools closing. Although not as bad as in Baltimore at one time, the possible closing of seven schools (three have been announced) is not something that is a gold star on your record.

In talking with one parent who has two children in the system, felt that the Superintendent was very interested in the quality of education. She had heard Dr. Patricia Weitzel-O’Neill speak at her children's school on a couple of occasions and was impressed by her. She believes that she probably clashed with the Archbishop over the closing of the schools.

When asked if she felt that the Superintendent should share any blame for the closing, the answer was no.

Now, this does not mean that the parent in question is clueless about things. No, it is just her take on things.

Personally, I believe it is a combination of the two: poor long term planning and the pressure to close schools to cut the budget by the Archbishop.

Do you think she was pushed out due to battles with the Archbishop over closings? Do you think she refused to be the "fall guy" for this anymore? Do you think she left because she was disgusted by the push to close schools? A combination of all?

What do you think?

Breaking News...

Patricia Weitzel-O’Neill, Ph.D., superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Washington, will step down in June 2010 to become executive director of the Center for Catholic Education at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.

For more, go here.