Posted on 12/23/2008 11:49:27 AM PST by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
Several reasons, among these the economic situation and the aging population in some residential areas, forced the Catholic Church to restructure the network of schools that belong to the Archdiocese [of San Juan], eliminating six of the existing fifteen, Archbishop Roberto González Nieves reported today.
[The affected schools are] Colegio Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, Academia Cristo Rey, Colegio La Milagrosa, and Colegio San Luis Rey in Río Piedras; Colegio Madre Cabrini in San Juan; and Colegio Sagrada Familia in Bayamón. They will cease operations once the school year ends. Some 1,337 students will be affected.
González admitted this is a "very painful and traumatic process, above all for the students," for which he instructed pastors to "join with them with much dignity and respect, so they may cheer them up amidst the situation and so that new doors may be opened." He added that "I don't want to leave them alone and abandoned."
The Archbishop of San Juan mentioned that it is hoped that most of the students will relocate to private schools adjacent to those they currently attend, if that is their parents' wishes.
Regarding personnel, some 165 people are affected by the decision. Their being employed by other private schools will depend on where students will relocate.
The prelate announced what he called a consolidation and restructuring plan of the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools System, which is partly a consequence of the marked decrease in enrollment in areas where there are no young married couples anymore.
The decision is the result of a review undertaken during the past three years, "a profound process of pastoral review, social responsibility, [and] sound administrative and academic practice within the system," he explained.
Decrease in enrollment, excessive operating costs, drastic increase in payroll in the wake of an increase in the federal minimum wage, demographic changes, and continuing displacement of families within and outside the island were taken into account during the process, as well as "in a particular manner, the distressing global economic situation the world is experiencing and which Puerto Rico is immersed in," the cleric mentioned. Parents will begin to be notified of the decision starting tomorrow.
ping
Sad news, myself being the product of Catholic schools within the Archdiocese. I assume those institutions run by religious orders are not affected by these closures.
Durante el proceso se tomó en cuenta la disminución de matrícula, costos operacionales excesivos, aumento drástico en las nóminas a raíz del aumento en el salario mínimo federal...
Feel good socialism does its damage once again.
Thanks!
I myself did not fail to notice that the effect of the federal minimum wage on the school payrolls was mentioned.
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