Maryland nonpublic schools fear future without state tax credits

Published: 2007-01-12

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Henry Fortier calls it one of the "most painful" days in his life. After several years as principal of New All Saints School in West Baltimore -- a time marked by increasing test scores and steady improvement in student performance -- Fortier had to tell his students their school was closing. "It was devastating," said Fortier, now one of the Archdiocese of Baltimore's associate superintendents. "It hurt to see them hurt. I had kids offering their allowances to keep the school open." New All Saints was one of 10 schools in the archdiocese that closed or merged within the last five years because of strapped financial resources and declining enrollment. Because of ongoing financial challenges, Fortier is convinced that even more schools will close unless they receive more support from the state. Organized by the Maryland Nonpublic Schools Legislative Coalition, a series of 17 educational forums was held Jan. 8 throughout Maryland to educate members of the Maryland General Assembly about the contributions made by nonpublic schools to the state's economy by saving taxpayers public school costs.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .