The Windsor Star has a story about how declining enrollment a in local secular and Catholic school boards (both publicly funded) are forcing creative solutions as funding declines.
It sharply highlights the growing need to consider amalgamating the competing systems into a single non-discriminatory body.
Unsurprisingly the local Catholics remain quite comfortable with their privilege, despite an increasingly secular and aging population.
Such integration has caused some concerns among those in the Catholic system about a gradual merging into one system.
“There is the fear of what I call creeping incrementalism,” Iatonna said. “I don’t have that fear.
“I think Catholic schooling will be around because of the desire for it from Catholic parents.”
Minor efforts are already being made to reduce administrative duplication, and it’s predicted to save the province of Ontario over $10 million. One report by a Liberal delegation suggested the total savings for the province could be up to $1.6 billion.
As local boards make this minor steps toward amalgamation, the rights of non-Catholic students to have a secular education must be protected. It’s very foreseeable that a shared Catholic-Public school would push Catholic idolatry and worship on the public side and would potentially limit job prospects for non-Catholic teachers.
Better for the provincial government to take the initiative and provide clear guidance toward a path for one school system.
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