How many times did we hear Fr. Radetski say that consolidation just doesn’t work if it is forced? How many times did he say it needs to be voluntary? How many stories did we listen to about the problems that the forced consolidations at his former assignments created? After all the times he said that a forced consolidation will fail, why would he now make this decision to force a consolidation of St. Dominic and Holy Family Schools?
The Archdiocese has followed the same pattern. In a joint North Side Parish Council meeting in fall of 2010, Mark Kemmeter of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, said that collaboration should be increased but that consolidation isn’t necessary. He said it is a process, doesn’t happen overnight and that we should work toward a win/win where both parties will buy into change and be happy with the outcome. He said there would be public hearings and forums.
Yet here we are, with a sudden announcement on March 2, 2011, that we will be consolidating our schools in Fall of 2012. There has been no process, no public hearings and forums, no buy in by school staff, parents or children. This definitely is not a win/win for St. Dominic Parish or School as the choice of a parish school for the families of St. Dominic School will be eliminated and the parish will lose members.
I feel lied to by both Fr. Radetski and the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
