Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far, away, tuition in Catholic schools was affordable for most families. The cost of labor was minimal because of the many good sisters who ran the schools. The European immigrants who arrived in the United States for the promise of a better life, were comprised of many Catholic families.
They, and the first and second generation of their children. were welcomed into these Catholic institutions (which was not always the case in public schools) as the sisters helped to transform them into educated citizens who helped our country prosper.
The parishes, seeing the importance of Catholic schools, subsidized them through contributions by parishioners. Families who no longer had children in school helped those who did. No one was denied an education for having a lack of means to pay.
This held true even up until the last few years. When I became principal in 2017, tuition was $3,600 for one child whose family was registered in the parish. There were discounts for multiple children. Tuition for non-participating families was higher, $5,700. The difference for registered families was the subsidy that the parish paid.
Tuition has doubled since then. There are no discounts for multiple children. There is no subsidy from the parish for Catholic registered families. Like the cost of everything, labor costs have risen to pay qualified teachers wages enough to keep them working for less than they could make in public schools.
“Wait,” you say. “We now have Ed Choice. For some students in our school most of their tuition is covered by money from the state!” Indeed, when Ed Choice became open to everyone regardless of income, all can receive some of those funds.
But if you are a family who makes a decent income, not rich, but not impoverished, you may only receive about 10% off your child’s tuition. That leaves another five to six thousand still due, and that is for each of your children if you have more than one.
If you have a student with a learning disability who receives funds to help your child with extra services, you can’t get any money from Ed Choice!
Parish costs have also risen. Keeping our facilities up to date alone is very expensive. The parishes have limited funds in which to help families in need. What can be done?
Fortunately, in the Diocese of Columbus we have a program called Emmaus Road. The State of Ohio started a program called an SGO which allows taxpayers to donate up to $750 per individual, $1,500 per couple to a registered non-profit organization. Our Diocese was one of the very first to recognize the impact of this new law.
It seems like voodoo economics. You donate to the program: www.emmausroadscholarship.org. You designate Our Lady of Peace as the recipient. You give whatever amount you want up to the above-mentioned limits or set up a recurring amount.
When you file your state taxes, you document your contribution. You receive your money back dollar-for-dollar. And Our Lady of Peace gets that same amount to be used to offset tuition for qualified families.
To qualify for the tax credit, you need to file an Ohio tax return. When you file your taxes, you will need documentation of your donation, which the Office of Catholic schools provides to you via mail. If you don’t believe me, watch this video: https://youtu.be/uyQHMOPg9JA
I am burying the lead. If 500 families in our parish each gave $500, or just $50 a month towards this program (and remember, it is not a donation, just a deferred tax credit) we would be able to make tuition affordable for every family in our school.
500 families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, great grandparents, your bookie, your neighbor, anyone giving $50 a month would make Catholic education thrive at Our Lady of Peace.
We have a great school with great teachers and staff and parents, and most of all, students. Use some of your tax dollars to support what we do here.
Jim Silcott