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TWENTY CRITICAL QUESTIONS

 FOR OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

 

     There are many good and wonderful people in our Catholic community with different views on the proposed move.  We are asking that all those with an investment in Catholic education consider these very important issues. We thank you for your open-mindedness.

 

  1. Do you believe that we have an obligation as a Catholic community to provide quality Catholic education at the most affordable cost possible?

 

  1. Do you have any concern that the cost of a new building at the proposed site will make it difficult for many families to give their children the Catholic education they desire?

 

  1. Given the combination of a natural tuition increase due to inflation, a premium for a new building and its maintenance, a variety of school fees, and increasing college costs, would you agree that the financial burden is likely to force many struggling families out of Catholic education?  (Consider the cost for even one child.)

 

  1. Would agree that an uncertain educational environment is unhealthy for our students, as well as their families and our community?

 

  1. Does it concern you to answer “yes” to funding a new building without being presented any specific financial projections?

 

  1. Are you concerned that, given the overall decline in Catholic education, as well as its increasing attrition rate, a “yes” to attending the school is unreliable?

 

  1. Do you have any reservations about supporting a school based on the uncertainty of population growth in the Upper Bucks county region?

 

  1. Do you think that Lansdale Catholic at its present site has the appearance of neglect, and, if so, does that make you question the feasibility of caring for a considerably larger site?

 

  1. Are you at all concerned that no serious attempt at renovation and expansion at the current site has occurred, no steering committee has ever been formed to enthusiastically pursue it, and no feasibility survey with projected financial estimates has been presented to you to consider?

 

  1. Given a successfully thriving school like Archbishop Wood has an enrollment of 1,150 on 32-acres and the equally successful Conwell-Egan has over 1,000 on 27-acres, do you agree that a possibility exists for an innovative and successful refurbishing of Lansdale Catholic?

 

  1. Do you believe that Archbishop Wood is likely to be impacted if a new school is built at the Hilltown site?

 

  1. Do you agree that a plan to optimally renovate LC will be considerably less expensive than the building and maintenance of a new school at the Hilltown site?

 

  1. Would you agree that there is untapped alumni support that would assist in the cost of a renovation at the present site in a variety of ways ~ financial contributions, services, donations, volunteer time, etc.?

 

  1. On the issue of transportation, do you acknowledge that they will generally exist, particularly for such an established and reputable school, and that we must effectively problem-solve to meet those demands?

 

  1. With respect to the issue of technological integration into the realm of education:  would you agree that technology is just one important component in the vast array of instructional techniques and learning tools?

 

  1. Given the dynamic field of technology, would you agree it is most important to teach our students to adapt to its advancements, in addition to reasonably progressing with those advancements?

 

  1. On the topic of college preparation, would you agree that the most important tools are intangible:  motivation, research and study skills, ability to read purposely, time management, organization, critical thinking, work presentation, etc.?

 

  1. Given the uncertainty and divisiveness over the Hilltown site, is it reasonable to request that the Archdiocese renovate the school according to its needs and to purchase land in a more northern part of Bucks County if the eventual need for another school develops?

 

  1. Have you considered that the successful formula presently working at LC could ultimately be disrupted by the unknown and unconsidered aspects of a move?  Is it reasonable to consider that a certain “spirit” will be lost in the transition?

 

  1. In your opinion, what is it that Catholic education offers your child that public school or any other school does not?  Would you agree that Lansdale Catholic has provided that for our so many students in our Catholic community and it deserves to build upon this tradition where it stands?

 

YOUR OPINION MATTERS!

Parents, Future Parents, Students, Educators, Parishioners, Alumni, and any member of the Catholic community wanting to show support for our position is invited to email builduplc@aol.com.   Your support will be forwarded to the Archdiocese.