OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

1933 SPIELBUSCH AVENUE
TOLEDO, OHIO 43604-5360

July 5, 2011

Reverend William J. Rose
Christ the King Parish
4100 Harvest Lane
Toledo, Ohio 43623-4399

Dear Father Rose,

     Late last year I asked our Diocesan Schools' Superintendent to initiate a process to identify, evaluate and address the major challenges facing Catholic education in the Metro-Toledo area. It is no secret that demographic and economic factors, among others, are having an impact on both Catholic and public schools. As a result, a project team was appointed for this task.

     In February I summarized the recommendations I received from the project team. The goal is to ensure that PK-8 Catholic education in Metro-Toledo maintains its Catholic identity and high quality, and is sustainable into the future. At that time I also detailed the next phase of the process, that is, a consultation of the broader community regarding the project team's recommendations.

     That consultation has taken place in two ways across Metro-Toledo:

* A professionally directed community survey, the results of which are now available, which reflects the input received from key stakeholders of our educational ministry, including parents.

* Several geographically diverse face-to-face community meetings at which interested parish and community leaders and parents could participate in hearing, discussing and questioning the project team's initial recommendations.

      The consultative process has provided much valuable information and feedback to supplement the significant work also being accomplished by the Superintendent's Office with respect to the initial recommendations.

       After careful consideration of all these steps over the last four months, I am asking the entire Catholic community of Metro-Toledo to join me in supporting the following steps which are meant to ensure the identity, quality and sustainability of our education ministry:

1. A transition to a community-based model of the PK-8 Catholic educational ministry. What this means is a commitment on the part of the entire Catholic community of Metro-Toledo for supporting Catholic schools in the area, financially and in every other way.
2. The formation of a new Oversight Board responsible for overall leadership and governance for the Metro-Toledo educational ministry. This oversight board will work closely with the Superintendent's Office and will report directly to me regarding substantive changes in the way our educational ministry is configured.
3. The creation of geographically distributed Community School Boards, whereby multiple parishes in a given area of Metro-Toledo will work together cooperatively to strengthen and sustain the educational ministry in that area. (Attached to this letter is a listing of the geographical groupings.) This is meant to open up new avenues for a community based commitment to Catholic education, and not just the commitment of single parishes alone. Local leadership must remain the primary administrators for this ministry, and for determining the number of buildings required, where they are located, and educational models to be used (e.g., PK-8, PK-5, Middle School, etc.)
4. My authorization of the Superintendent and our Schools Office to exercise greater leadership and governance with respect to certain administrative and management areas common to all schools, as approved by the Oversight Board or myself. As our educational ministry moves to a different operating structure, it will benefit from a more focused and unified approach.

Over the next eighteen months the Superintendent's Office will begin implementing these steps in greater detail, working closely with local parish leadership. Additional communications will be forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead. During that same eighteen months and beyond, it is my hope and expectation that a community based vision of Catholic education will take shape and bear fruit. In order to fulfill our goals of Catholic identity, educational excellence and sustainability, everyone's cooperation is needed. I ask for your support as we move to the implementation phase of this strategic planning process.

With approximately 10,000 students currently attending K-12 Catholic schools in Metro-Toledo, it is clear that this ministry serves a critical role in handing on our Catholic faith and in developing future leaders for the Church and for society at large. As your Bishop, it is my responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep this ministry viable for the future.

The steps I have outlined in this letter are the result of much hard work on the part of many individuals who were charged with identifying, evaluating and addressing the challenges faced by Catholic education in Metro-Toledo now and in the future. On behalf of us all, I want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who gave of their time and expertise, especially our Project Facilitator, Mr. Joseph Herman, and our Schools Superintendent, Mr. Christopher Knight. The results of all the study, research and consultation give us a positive indication of where we need to go in order to maintain, improve and sustain Catholic education in the next step of its evolution in our community.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair
Bishop of Toledo

 CLICK HERE TO VIEW COMMUNITY BOARD GROUPINGS