This is because Catholic parishes are currently using the new elementary schools to hold Mass and this creates a separation of church and state issue in relation to government-issued bonds. When the parishes begin holding Mass in other quarters, bonds could be issued in relation to the elementary school construction projects, McNamara said. At the same time as the new schools were built, a new system was created for parish support of schools. Under the old system, feeder parishes paid a per-child subsidy for any parish student attending a Catholic school. This subsidy varied from year to year and from one school to another.
Families apply to the fund for help paying the cost of Catholic school tuition for their children.
The Department of Catholic Education determines who receives tuition assistance and the amount of assistance and then informs the Finance Department and the individual schools. The tuition assistance is drawn from the interest on the fund, not the principal. The new Catholic schools were being asked to contribute to the tuition assistance fund, McNamara said. However, in light of the deficit at the two schools, this line item will be eliminated for the 2000-2001 school year, following an April 18 meeting at Queen of Angels with archdiocesan officials from Finance, Education and the two schools. In light of questions raised about setting this much aside per year at brand new facilities, Catholic Construction Services, Inc., has hired an outside professional to review the amount and determine what is an appropriate amount, McNamara said.