Is a new Catholic school the answer?

Prior to planning a groundbreaking for a new school in West Baltimore (“Archdiocese of Baltimore plans to build first new Catholic school in city in more than 50 years,” April 30), can time be spent in verifying whether or not a school is the community’s choice to address problems identified by the archdiocese, including poverty, hopelessness and joblessness? It is not clear from the statement of archdiocesan spokesman Sean Caine that there was significant community input in planning for a new school. As to funding, there is reference to a “transition from a quiet phase of fundraising to a more public one.” Does that approach also apply to discerning the overall appropriateness and desirability of the project — as determined by people with “skin in the game?”

What was the design of the feasibility study for the new school? What input and consultation sought or received from Catholic schools (elementary and secondary) which have been diligently serving students in the Baltimore area — with and without archdiocesan funding. What say parents, grandparents, guardians, caregivers, faculty, students, graduates as to how to use $18 million? Were they asked? What about input from public schools principals, faculty, parents?

Any project, in my opinion, benefits from the investment of all parties to begin actual implementation. Top-down benevolence can result in rigid expectations. Dialogue can create new energy to apply to agreed-upon endeavors. Where are the round tables?