Assuring the Promise A Case Statement & Feasibility Study for Saints Peter and Paul High School and the Future of Catholic Secondary Education for Maryland’s Mid-Shore High School Advisory Committee December 2008Assuring the Promise Dear Friend of Catholic Education: With the permission of the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Wilmington, the Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, and his Catholic Schools Office, a High School Advisory ‘Committee was formed in 2006 to examine the current status of Saints Peter and Paul High School and to formulate recommendetions for the high school and for the future of Catholic secondary education for Maryland's Mid-Shore region. It is the purpose of this case statement to present an overview of those issues and to provide the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. John Paul II stated the fundamental purpose of Catholic education is the furtherance of self-fulfillment of the young people entrusted to our care, so that they may “arrive at the fullness of Christian life”. The responsibility of Catholic schools and their leaders is to embrace that mission of guiding people in all facets of Catholic education and ministry towards that truth. As the only Catholic high school on Maryland's Eastern Shore, we remain committed to this whole person concept that defines the past, present, and future of Catholic education. While the current Saints Peter and Paul High School has embraced its ministry of Catholic education for over 50 years, the financial, programmatic, and facility demands of maintaining a quality Catholic high school have become increasingly challenging. The Advisory Committee has been tasked in engaging the parish of Saints Peter and Paul, other parishes in the Mid-Shore region, and the greater community in exploring options for the short-term arrangement to the existing school and in developing a long-term plan for Catholic secondary education. The Advisory Committee has been tasked with reporting its recommendations back to Saints Peter and Paul Parish, the Eastern Shore Deanery, the Catholic Schools Office, the Office of the Vicar General, and the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington. The Committee does not pretend to have all of the answers to the issues presented, and recognizes that many factors may impact the recommendations, but we endeavor to provide a vision and a framework from which collective dialog and action can work together in assuring the promise of Catholic secondary education for the future. We remain, Faithfully in Christ, The High School Advisory Committee December 2008Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Figures & Drawings I. Purpose A. Purpose of Case Statement B. Role of Advisory Committee & Statement of Goals C. Advisory Committee Membership D. Initial Advisory Committee Process II. Demographic & Location Analysis A, Research Data B, Parish & School Survey C. Demographics & Location Data Findings D. Commercial Property Analysis E, Demographic & Location Recommendations II Governance ‘A, Governance Overview B. Governance Recommendations 1V. Finances ‘A. Financial Overview of Saints Peter and Paul High School B, Financial Recommendations V. Facilities A. Facilities Overview B. Parish Building & Facilities Assessment C. Feasibility Study & Facilities Options . Phase I: Improving the Present at 900 High Street . Phase II: Assuring the Future F, Facilities Recommendations VI. Financing the Vision ‘A. Financing Overview 8. Financing the Vision Recommendations VIT. Marketing & Advancement ‘A. Marketing & Advancement Overview BB. Marketing & Advancement Recommendations VIII. Assuring the Vision for the Future List of AttachmentsAssuring the Promise Table of Figures & Drawings Figure 1: Parish Participation in Advisory Committee Figure 2. Advisory Committee Membership Figure 3. Saints Peter and Paul High School Total Enrollment 2002-2008 Figure 4: Saints Peter and Paul High School Enrollment by Grade 2004-2008 Figure 5: Saints Peter and Paul High School Enrollment by County 2004-2008 Figure 6: Population Trends on the Mid-Shore of Maryland 2000-2020 Figure 7 2000-2020: Mid-Shore Population Projection for Ages 0-4 & 5-19 Figure 8 Growth of Catholic Families of Participating Eastern Shore Parishes Figure 9. Number of Baptisms for Participating Eastern Shore Parishes Figure 10. Eastern Shore Parish Population of Saints Peter and Paul High School Figure 11: 8" Grade Population for Area Public and Private Schools in the Mid-Shore Region 2006-2007 Figure 12. Parish & School Survey Figure 13: Parish & School Survey Results Figure 14. Mid-Shore Demographic Hub Analysis Figure 15: Revenue Sources FY 2007-2008 Figure 16: Expenditure Sources FY 2007-2008 Figure 17: Deficit and Parish Subsidy Levels 2003-2008 Figure 18. Comparative Catholic & Private Hich School Tuition Rates 2007-2008 Figure 19. Potential High School Needs Overview Figure I-A; Phase I Overhead Drawing Figure I-B: Phase I Front Rendering Figure 20. Estimated Costs - Phase I Figure I-A: Phase II Front Rendering Figure II-B: Phase II Overhead Rendering Figure II-C. Phase Il Overhead Drawing Figure II-D: Phase I Overhead Campus Rencering Figure 21: Estimated Costs - Phase II Figure 22. Comparative SAT Results (2008) Figure 23. College Acceptances 2000-2008 Figure 22: Graduate Scholarship and Awards 2002-2008Assuring the Promise I. Purpose A. Purpose of Case Statement With the permission of the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Wilmington, the Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, and his Catholic Schools Office, a High School Advisory Committee was formed in 2006 to examine the current situation of Saints Peter and Paul High Schoo! and to formulate recommendations for the high school and Catholic secondary education for Maryland's Eastern Shore. It is the purpose of this case statement to present an overview of those issues and to provide the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Entering into this process, the Advisory Committee was guided by two conflicting yet connected premises. First, that as the only Catholic high school on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and the only one within the Maryland portion of the Diocese of Wilmington, Saints Peter and Paul High School, or some future variation of secondary education, must exist in support of the Catholic educational ministry of young people. Second, that the ability of a single Catholic parish to sustain a quality, Catholic high school into the future is problematic in terms of facilities and finances. Therefore, the parish of Saints Peter and Paul must reduce its sole responsibility of providing the only Catholic secondary educational experience to the greater Mid-Shore region of Maryland. It is the focus of this report to examine those issues and propose potential recommendations. To that end, the work of the Advisory Committee and its ultimate recommendations focused on the governance, fiduciary responsibilty, facility improvement, and effective marketing and development for a quality Catholic high school experience. While each issue is discussed separately within the context of this report, the Committee recognizes the interdependence of all areas in addressing the immediate and long-term needs for Saints Peter and Paul High School and any successive Catholic high school experience. B. Role of Advisory Committee & Statement of Goals While Saints Peter and Paul High School has embraced its ministry of Catholic education for over 50 years, the financial, facility, and programmatic demands of maintaining a quality Catholic high school have become increasingly challenging. The Advisory Committee has been tasked with engaging the parish of Saints Pater and Paul, other parishes in the Mid-Shore region, and the greater community in exploring options for the short-term arrangement of the existing school and in developing a long-term plan for Catholic secondary education. The High School Advisory Committee serves in an advisory capacity, 1) Providing short-term recommendations for financial, facility, and marketing planning for Saints Peter and Paul High School;2) Examining opportunities for greater inter-parish collaboration and mutual support for Catholic secondary education on Maryland’s Mid-Shore; 3) Developing and recommending a long-term strategic plan for Catholic secondary education on Maryland's Mid-Shore; and, 4) Advocating within the local and greater community on behalf of Saints Peter and Paul High School and Catholic secondary education on Maryland's Mid-Shore. The Advisory Committee is tasked with reporting its recommendations back to Saints Peter and Paul Parish, the Eastern Shore Deanery, the Catholic Schools Office, the Office of the Vicar General, and the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington. C. Advisory Committee Membership Members of the Advisory Committee were invited and appointed to the committee by the Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church and other participating pastors. The following Eastern Shore parishes were asked by Bishop Saltarelli to support the activities of the Advisory Committee: Parish Participation in Advisory Committee (Figure 1) or [rT] Brrr ee) ete Saints Peter and Paul Easton/St. YES YES ‘Michael's/Cordova ‘School/Parish (Talbot) Reported St. Francis De Sales | Salisbury YES YES (Wicomico) ‘School/Parish Reported Mother of Sorrows Centreville YES Yes (Queen Anne's) Reported Our Lady of Good | Secretary YES Yes Counsel (Dorchester) Reported ‘St. Christopher's Chester YES YES YES (Queen Anne's) Reported ‘St. Benedict’s/St. Ridgely/Denton | NO RESPONSE NO RESPONSE | NO RESPONSE Elizabeth's (Caroline) | Lady of Lourdes ‘Seaford PRAYERFULLY, but | NO NO (Gussex-DE) will not participate due to location Sacred Heart Chestertown: YES, but will not | NORESPONSE | NO RESPONSE (Kent) participate due to location St. Mary's Refuge Cambridge YES YES YES (Dorchester) Reported Due to distance, the pastors of Sacred Heart (Chestertown, MD) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Seaford, DE) declined participation in the activities of the Advisory Committee. St. Elizabeth’s/St. Benedict's Parish (Ridgey/Denton) did not respond. It was the goal of 6Assuring the Promise the Advisory Committee to represent a broad base of interests, experience, and relationship to Catholic education. Committee membership has changed since the committee's inception, with new committee members joining and others resigning participation. The Committee attempted to engage a cross section of parents, alumni, business, religious denomination, and parish affiliation that is reflective of the current high schoo! culture. The following is a list of active or previously active committee members (former members denoted by italics): Advisory Committee Membership (Figure 2) (eee ee GD CCaETTn Mr. Bill Griffin (SSPP) Parent/Grandparent of Alumni/Retired Business Mr. Douglas Broujos (SSP) SPP Parent/Marketing Mr. Thomas Mitchell (SSPP) ‘SSPP Parent/Business Mrs. Anne Warpinski (Mother of Sorrows) ‘SSPP Parent Mrs. Mary Ellen Bauer (Our Lady of Good Counsel) ‘SSPP Parent Mr. Kevin Greaney (SSPP) ‘SSP Parent/Commercial Real Estate Mr. George Hatcher (Episcopalian) ‘SSP Parent & Parent of Alum/Business ‘Mr. Robert Lacaze (SSPP) S5PP Parent/Real Estate Mrs. Renee Smith (Methodist) SPP Parent/Banking _ Mrs. Diana Waterman (St. Christopher's) Parent of SSPP Alumni/Real Estate Mr. Mark Record (St. Francis) Parent of Alum/Education- Principal ~ st. Francis De Sales ‘Mr. Bernie Grove (SPP) Parish Finance Council/Building Comm/Business Brother James Malone, CFX ~ Consultant Former Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Kathy Walsh (St. Mary's Refuge of Sinners) ‘SSP Parent and Parent of Alumni/Real Estate Mrs. Connie Webster-School Principal Parent of Alumni/Education- Principal ~ SSPP ES Mr. James Nemeth-Schoo! Principal St. John’s-Archdiocese of Balto/Principal ~ SSPP HS D. Initial Advisory Committee Process The Advisory Committee utilized the following process in initially examining the issues presented to it. 1) Committee existence and membership was established (May-June 2006). This was the first officially sanctioned advisory group for the high school in over a decade; While the issue of the tenuous continuation of the high school was known, the process of examination and formulation of recommendations in dealing with that situation evolved through the interaction and work of the committee; All initial options for the future of the high school were developed and presented by members of the Advisory Committee to the former Bishop, VicarAssuring the Promise General, and the Superintendent of the Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wilmington at an October 2006 meeting in Wilmington. These included, ‘a. Create quasi-regional parish high school on property of Saints Peter and Paul Parish with other parish support; . Create a regional Catholic high school at location to be determined that is mutually supported by parishes impacted by or potentially impacted by that educational service; . Create diocesan supported Catholic high school on Maryland's Fastern Shore at a location to be de:ermined; |. Sponsor a private, Catholic high school under the auspices of the Diocese of Wilmington; e. Maintain existing structure and governance as a parish high school; f. Close Saints Peter and Pau High School. Please refer to Attachment A: Scenarios for Future of Catholic Secondary Education on Maryland's Eastern Shore for an assessment of each option. From this initial meeting, the above options were reviewed, prioritized, or eliminated, with the following results remaining: a. Create a regional Catholic high school at location to be determined that is mutually supported by parishes impacted by or potentially impacted by that educational service; . Create a quasi-regional parish high school on property of Saints Peter and Paul Parish with other parish support. The other options were tabled, including the option to close the high school that was removed at the request of Bishop Saltarelli. Members of the Advisory Committee were invited by Bishop Saltarelli to present an initial case statement to the Eastern Shore Deanery in January 2007. Concurrent to this process, members of the Advisory Committee were assigned to research and present information back to the Committee on the demographic, facility, and financial impacts of the various proposals. Committee members were also assigned to initiate discussion with other dioceses/Catholic schools that have, or are engaged in, school building activities. A Catholic School Building Assessment was developed and shared with schools in the dioceses of Pittsburgh (PA), Arlington (VA), and Tucson (AZ). Please see Attachment B: Catholic Schoo! Building Assessment for a copy of the assessment questionnaire. That process is ongoing and may prove useful should the community embark on any future building campaign.Assuring the Promise 8) An informal demographic analysis was undertaken to examine the potential target audiences that may potentially be served by a Catholic high school on Maryland's Mid-Shore. The following demographic populations were targeted and assessed: a. Saints Peter and Paul Hign Schoo! Total Enrollment 2002-2008 b. Saints Peter and Paul High School Enrollment by Grade 2004-2008 . Saints Peter and Paul High School Enrollment by County 2004-2008 |. Population Trends on the Mid-Shore of Maryland 2000-2020 _ 2000-2020: Mid-Shore Population Projections for Ages 0-4 & 5-19 Growth of Catholic Families of Participating Eastern Shore Parishes . Number of Baptisms for Participating Eastern Shore Parishes |. Eastern Shore Parish Population at Saints Peter and Paul High School 8" Grade Population for Selected Public and Private Schools in the Mid- Shore Region 2006-2007 Parish Survey to assess interest in Catholic high school education for Maryland's Mid-Shore was created and shared with participating parishes for their feedback. Six of the nine parishes participated in this process. The initial focus of the research and the work of the committee centered on the immediate and long-term financial and facility issues. The Advisory Committee engaged the services of BMK Architectural Consultants (BMK) of Frederick, Maryland to conduct a feasibility study of the existing high school property and structures and a sample property adjacent to Saints Peter and Paul Church on Route 50 in Easton and to make recommendations as to potential facility use. The Advisory Committee used this demographic, financial, and facility information in formulating its recommendations. What follows within this report is a review of the issues and the recommendations that the Advisory Committee is presenting in response to the demographic, financial, facility, and marketing issues that it examined during this process.Assuring the Promise II. Demographic & Location Analysis Demographics are the lifeblood of any current or future school planning process. As enrollment and birth information determines potential enroliment demand, the Advisory Committee gathered and assessed a number of demographic factors and trends that may impact the need for Catholic secondary education on Maryland’s Mid-Shore. A. Research Data Over the history of the high school, the enrollment has seen various peaks and valleys impacted by demographics, finances, public perception, lack of facilities, and programmatic issues. The case statement demonstrates a potential enrollment pool for the high school in the years ahead. However, the Advisory Committee acknowledges the need to effectively address the issues above if the school is to remain competitive as a quality, Catholic secondary school. ‘The following is a seven-year enrollment trend for Saints Peter and Paul High School. Saints Peter and Paul High School Total Enrollment 2002-2008 (Figure 3) The enrollment of the high school has fluctuated throughout its history. The recent trend in enroliment is reflective of the limited facility and programmatic challenges the school is dealing with, as well as the recent overall economic climate.Assuring the Promise Saints Peter and Paul High School Enrollment by Grade 2004-2008 (Figure 4) a LLCS TSE ra a 54 50 36 61 201 2007-2008 52 41 66 55 214 2006-2007 40 66 57 45 208 2oas-2006) 66 58 50 33 (207 2004-2005 58 51 35 48 192 ‘Source: Diocesan and School Tracking and Demographic Reports The core geographic area that Saints Peter and Paul High School attracts prospective families from includes Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, and Queen Anne’s Counties. To a lesser extent, the high school has also historically served Kent (MD), Wicomico, and Kent (DE) Counties. The school does not provide Catholic educational service to families ‘on the Western Shore. Saints Peter and Paul High School Enrollment by County 2004-2008 (Figure 5) Sens Year jot Queen Dorchester | Kent-MD 2008-09 | 117 35 7 25 1 2007-08 | 124 a 20 2 iz 2006-07 | 125 36 19 24 2005-06 | 122 34 22 25 2004-05 | 114 7 18 26 “Source: Diocesan and School Tracking and Demographi- Reports Overall, the counties on Maryland's Mid-Shore have shown recent and projected population growth. This includes the 0-4 and 5-19 age demographics, which impacts potential high school student population in the years ahead (See Figures 6 and 7).