How will the diocesan bankruptcy impact the Catholic schools, in particular Northern Chautauqua Catholic School? How will NCCS approach the future?

The enthusiasm, tenacity and financial support of the current parent trustees at NCCS are an example of what happens when schools repeatedly come near to closing and parents want to ensure their own child’s private education option. Their willingness to dedicate themselves to keeping the doors open is commendable.

However, despite the yeoman efforts of NCCS trustees and supporters who preceded them, it is essential to move the focus beyond the same recurring annual fund drive. It is imperative to shift the emphasis to long term sustainability based on a substantial increase in enrollment, solid academic programming, a clear faith based foundation, and more.

Solutions for Catholic and private schools strongly recommended by national Catholic school leadership include the formation of endowments. In late 2018, the Buffalo Diocese explicitly advised the board of trustees of the critical need for an NCCS endowment fund for long term sustainability.

Since financial assistance from the diocese will most likely decline, it is time to be more realistic and properly focused on the children of the future — not just current enrollees. This can only happen with a sound multi-year plan. I suspect that many in the community agree. If not, will there likely be another group of financially capable parent trustees whose focus will remain short term?

NCCS — St. Mary’s when I attended — is my beloved alma mater. (I still have my graduation ring when St. Mary’s was called Our Lady of the Lake for one year!)

The option to continue a Catholic school presence is shared by decades of alumni from various schools that were in the area. Let’s hope that the administration and the community trustees, together with the parent trustees, will work to develop a viable long-range plan.

Beverly Slichta-Cusick is an Amherst resident.