That said, have these folks confronted the bishop? Have they attended the school board meetings? Have they made a noise? Have YOU and other board members called this embarassing situation to the attention of the parish, or the bishop? I would think that by child six or seven, the actual number of families with that many children would be negligible and the diocese could afford to take up the slack.
It is sort of a vicious cycle, because without the large families and consequent vocations most dioceses have had to start hiring lay teachers and that has increased their expenses a great deal - not only salaries at market but benefits for the teachers AND their families.
I would think that with nine, they could homeschool efficiently. And a wife's income, if it's a third job, is generally mostly eaten up with the additional taxes, the transportation, and the clothing and materials required.
My point is that families who are really stuck in a situation where they absolutely MUST use the public school system are few and far between. And if I were, I would seriously consider MOVING. We got the heck out of the city of Atlanta for precisely that reason.
I wrote you a big long reply, but somehow, it was consigned to data hell. I'm too lazy to reproduce it.
Oh, well.
In any event - real quick:
“But such parents are in a distinct minority, and you and I both know that.”
I really don't know that. I only know the folks I know.
“That said, have these folks confronted the bishop?”
Two problems - our archbishop is more of a Democrat than a Catholic; it costs a lot to run a school in an area where the median home price is around a half-million bucks. Add in the loss of nuns and priests as teachers for good measure.
“I would think that with nine, they could homeschool efficiently.”
Yup.
“And a wife's income, if it's a third job, is generally mostly eaten up with the additional taxes, the transportation, and the clothing and materials required.”
Not so yup. I know more than a few couples where the wife makes upper five figures. Tough to give up that additional $60,000 - $80,000 per year.
“My point is that families who are really stuck in a situation where they absolutely MUST use the public school system are few and far between.”
Maybe in the suburbs of Atlanta, that's clearer. Not as clear here in the suburbs of Washington, DC.
“And if I were, I would seriously consider MOVING. We got the heck out of the city of Atlanta for precisely that reason.”
That has consequences, too. I know a family who moved to York, PA. Big house at 1/3 the price. Catholic schools - 1/2 the price. Wife doesn't even need to work. Commute - 2 hrs each way to his job in DC area.
Ouch.
sitetest