The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced today that the Board of Trustees of St. Maria Goretti High School has accepted a proposal by the Archdiocese of Baltimore that will change the school’s designation from an independent school to an archdiocesan school.
“This is the best thing that could have happened for Catholic education in Washington County,” Gary Bockrath, Chairman of the Board of Trustees said. “We have been operating near our practical student capacity for the past several years and with the increased support of the Archdiocese we will improve upon the services we provide and prepare for the future growth of the school.”
As an archdiocesan school, the Archdiocese of Baltimore will provide St. Maria Goretti with a new model of governance, a free facilities study, a subsidized feasibility study on the potential of a capital campaign, and free access to services such as legal counsel, technology development, and financial management.
“It is our hope, please God, that this seemingly minor change will have a major impact on our ability as a Church to provide a values-based education to the youth of the Hagerstown area,” Cardinal William H. Keeler said. “We intend for this transition to be as smooth as possible, so that our focus can remain on our mission of educating as many of God’s children as possible.”
Bishop W. Francis Malooly, Vicar General and Western Vicar, will appoint a new Board of Trustees, which will continue to operate the school as a financially self-sufficient entity.
“This relationship will be one where we can fortify our resources by helping to strengthen the presence of Catholic education in the Hagerstown area,” Dr. Ronald J. Valenti, Superintendent of Schools said.
The change will take place on July 1, 2004.