House Bill 26 would mean an end to Catholic education in NEPA!! (Scranton: middle-class, employment) - Northeastern Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania -Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area - City-Data Forum

John From Scranton · 01-24-2009, 08:01 PM

Approving a bill intended to force Bishop Joseph Martino's hand on a rift with the Diocese of Scranton's teachers union "will mean the end of Catholic schools" in 11 counties in Northeast Pennsylvania, the diocese warned in a statement Saturday.

Diocese of Scranton: House Bill 26 would mean an end to Catholic education in NEPA | News | thetimes-tribune.com - The Times-Tribune (http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2009/01/24/news/doc497b75d45e669302650841.txt - broken link)

Looks like more good news.. Right..

The Commish · 01-25-2009, 12:58 AM

No, it doesn't mean that at all.

Allowing employees of religious school to organize simply means the employer has to recognize the union and engage in collective bargaining with it. It doesn't mean they have to accede to the union's demands. That is what the collective bargaining part is for. I find it highly unlikely that the employees will bargain themselves out of their own jobs. But I'm not surprised that controversial Bishop Martino is continuing to make such inflammatory comments.

thecoalman · 01-25-2009, 01:19 AM

What a mess as I have so many thoughts on this..... I think the teachers should take what they offered and if it's not enough they should seek employment elsewhere. Having said that the Catholic church should have to follow the rules any employer has too and not receive any special treatment. I alosfind them highly hypocritical considering their past support of unions especially in this area. In other words they are both wrong.

Mr Yuk · 01-25-2009, 09:48 AM

Catholic schools are exclusive schools for the rich anymore anyways. Regular people can't afford them anymore....its for the upper-crust who think their kids are too good for public schools. If I wanted to send my kids to Catholic school, even with a decent job for the area, I couldn't afford it without going into major debt.

SteelCityRising · 01-25-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go phillies

Catholic schools are exclusive schools for the rich anymore anyways. Regular people can't afford them anymore....its for the upper-crust who think their kids are too good for public schools. If I wanted to send my kids to Catholic school, even with a decent job for the area, I couldn't afford it without going into major debt.

Exactly. When Seton Catholic High School in Pittston closed, the outrage was immense, as all of the haughty "Elois" here in Greater Pittston shuddered at the thought that their children would have to attend school beside we dirty "Morlocks" at Pittston Area!

My parents are upper-middle-class by our area's standards, and I, too, could have attended Seton had I so expressed an interest. I feel that my Pittston Area PUBLIC school education prepared me well here at King's to have a very successful future. It was unconscionable for a decaying city of 7,000 souls to have its own parochial educational system anymore, especially when Wilkes-Barre or Scranton are just a quick drive in either direction.

weluvpa · 01-25-2009, 10:02 AM

My son will most likely be attending a Catholic middle school because I do not want him at Northeast or West Intermediate schools...From there I am not sure where he will go to HS but Scranton is not high on the list for us right now. Myself....I would love to see him go to boarding school outside the area, but thats just me. I think it would provide him with a life experience and an education that he will use for the rest of his life. There are some quality schools near by that he could attend without being far away from home...Blairstown and Lawrenceville for starters.

bloominscranton · 01-25-2009, 01:14 PM

I too wonder what I will do with lil' man when middle school comes. If he is still labeled special needs...private schools will most likely be out. I must say if he continues as he is he will probably be phased out of special needs.

I feel a bit of a hypocrite, since he is doing so well because of the public school. I will have to keep reminding my self that there is a big difference between elem. and middle school.

I LOVE PA! · 01-25-2009, 02:59 PM

It seems this Bishop is certainly not looking to make friends or good impressions.
As far as Catholic Schools....there is ABSOLUTELY NO comparison in the education my daughter is getting at Scranton Prep and the education my older daughter got at Western Wayne HS. I'm lucky, as it is costing me next to nothing. More than lucky...VERY GRATEFUL. If this statement means she is too good for public schools...so be it. But we are certainly not the 'upper-crust.' Just trying to make her the 'upper-crust.'

Paul...honestly...I think you would have gotten a good education ANYWHERE.

Roaddog81 · 01-25-2009, 03:26 PM

Catholic school is over rated ,yes they will have somewhat good classmates but teaching is not much different .public school is a mix rich poor middle class ,I think a tougher crowd I have done roman catholic with my 2 oldest daughters my 1 oldest son went to public (bad choice )now my last 2 go to a private school not roman catholic and it is much better .no bully's ,none of who is better ,I was truely going to home school if I didn't find the present school.they have been there for 5 yrs .and wouldn't change it and not a 2nd mortage !I'm don't have any idea about high school ,but I have a while to think about that my boys are only in 3rd and 5 th grade!

NYRangers 2008 · 01-25-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I LOVE PA!

It seems this Bishop is certainly not looking to make friends or good impressions.
As far as Catholic Schools....there is ABSOLUTELY NO comparison in the education my daughter is getting at Scranton Prep and the education my older daughter got at Western Wayne HS. I'm lucky, as it is costing me next to nothing. More than lucky...VERY GRATEFUL. If this statement means she is too good for public schools...so be it. But we are certainly not the 'upper-crust.' Just trying to make her the 'upper-crust.'

Paul...honestly...I think you would have gotten a good education ANYWHERE.

My sister went to Scranton Prep as opposed to Western Wayne and she is all the better for it. She graduated Marywood with excellent grades and moved out to Las Vegas for a great job opportunity in her field. Private schools are better, but only if you have the cash to do it.