Cedar Rapids Catholic School Systemization Update

Friends, peace be with you.

For the past several months, two subcommittees have been meeting to discuss two aspects of Catholic schools in the Cedar Rapids area. I will admit that, because we don’t have a Catholic school, knowing when and how to best elicit feedback from you, my parishioners, hasn’t always been clear to me. However, it has become clear that the time is now. This week I will focus on the task force for the systemization of the schools in the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area. More detailed information and a survey that you are encouraged to participate in are located at https://www.crxaviercatholicschools.org/cr-metro-task-force

In essence, the idea of systemization works with a principle of Catholic social teaching called the principle of solidarity. Pope John Paul II said Solidarity “is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good” and is fundamental to the Christian view of social and political organization. (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis) For many years, Catholic schools were in competition with each other for students, teachers, and other resources. In more recent years, I believe beginning with the administration of the schools, there has been a desire to collaborate in the area of teacher pay and other “best practice” scenarios. Rather than competing with each other, they are collaborating for the betterment of their students. This has, then, prompted the question to be raised about whether they should have a more formal level of cooperation including some more formal administration. The report outlines what some of that could look like.

One of the fears I hear from people with this regard is the loss of local control and a desire to focus on another principle of social teaching called the principle of subsidiarity, which states that decisions should be made at the most local level possible. The reason I think, in this case, the principle of solidarity is more applicable is because there are fewer bus drivers, teachers, paras, maintenance workers,and even principles and this would promote cooperation instead of competition among the schools. Our schools should be seeking to collaborate and not compete with each other, even in the area of programming.

Nonetheless, I would encourage you to read the “more detailed report” and feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have.