Diocese of Scranton eliminates 55 teaching positions

By Erin Moody (Staff Writer)
Published: June 12, 2009

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After 36 years of teaching high school students social studies, first at Bishop Hoban and then at Holy Redeemer, Jim Maloney received the notice in the mail.

The Diocese of Scranton doesn't need him anymore.

"The most disappointing part was our administration did not have the courage to call us and tell us to our faces that we are being dismissed," he said.

Mr. Maloney's job is one of 55 teaching positions eliminated across the Holy Redeemer and Holy Cross regional school systems, which include schools in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne and Bradford counties. In addition, salaries will be frozen for all employees, but school employees' health insurance premiums will not increase.

Letters informing teachers of their status were mailed Monday, but the official announcement was not made until Thursday in The Catholic Light, the diocesan newspaper.

Elementaries hit hard

Most of the eliminations, 36, come from the closing of SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School in Plains Twp., St. Aloysius Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre and St. Vincent Elementary School in Honesdale. The other 19 eliminated positions are due to continued declining enrollment across the two systems.

Projections for the 2009-10 school year show Holy Redeemer system enrollment down 357 students, from 3,496 to 3,139. The Holy Cross system enrollment is projected to decrease by 296 students, from 3,198 to 2,902.

"The Diocese hopes to see its school systems grow and continue to operate into the future. At the same time, we must continue to monitor the viability of all of our schools. Hopefully, parents will recognize the value of a Catholic education and enrollment will stabilize," spokesman Bill Genello said via e-mail.

Callbacks possible

If enrollment increases by the beginning of the school year, it is possible the laid-off teachers could be hired to handle the additional students, according to the diocese.

Teachers will be eligible to fill open positions at other schools with the diocese, based on seniority and other criteria outlined by the diocese. They will continue to receive salaries until Aug. 21 and health benefits until the end of August.

Michael Milz, president of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers, which is fighting for recognition from Bishop Joseph Martino, said he is upset that because the union is not recognized, the teachers have no protection and are at-will employees who can be let go at any time.

"The fair system, and the way any other system works, is last hired is first to be asked to leave in a layoff," Mr. Milz said. "This will destroy the system. It destroys morale. It rewards no one for dedication.

"They used them up and threw them away when they didn't need them anymore."

Contact the writer: emoody@citizensvoice.com

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The sad part is how the teachers,parents and students were all told that the money the diocese spent to do the studies about consolidating schools was supposed to make the schools stronger,increase enrollment and stop any future closings. GUESS WHAT..you make the call on that one.

And how we were all told very strongly that if the teachers got a union, more schools would close...GUESS WHAT..the teachers don't have a union and martino keeps closing schools...so don't blame the teachers

And what happened to when the four high schools in luzerne county were closed into forming one. The study says that they are supposed to acquire land for athletic programs and develop the new site. (That's two years ago already still waiting for that to happen).
Invest in a major new marketing, recruitment and public relations initiative to reshape image of school.(still waiting for that as well)

It appears that the closings and consolidations did more harm then good. Hundreds upon hundreds of families and their children who used to attend catholic schools only two years ago, have left for a variety of reasons,increased tuition,farther travel distance,unhappy with the way they were treated,unhappy with the way the teachers were treated, unhappy with the closings and cosolidations,education quality diminished,unhappy with the diocese...etc...

Lots of times something may look good on paper, but in reality that doesn't always pan out in the real world. This shouldn't of been rushed into, it should of been a more through thought process and more teachers and parents included and involved in the process.. it should of been a 3 to 4 year transistion to implement,and then over that time some concerns could of been addressed and corrected to adjust..

Now the bed is made, and this is what we get to sleep in. And I for one ...don't like my new bed.

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John V., 06/17/09 10:31

Hey people, many of you may not be aware or understand that now, the next step after closing the church's is to re name them...so it's not like those who's church didn't close will be let of scott free. Say your church remained open, but the three churches around you closed to consolidate into the one that stays open, well my good people, your church will be re named.

So say a german or a polish or a irish church that was around for the last 100 years or so, will now be renamed...I venture to guess that several new names will be of spanish nature, because of the new influences here.

just another reason to BOYCOTT THE BISHOP

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Bill Cartwright, 06/17/09 09:29

"how about all of the ethnic Catholic traditions. How about Catholic education? All gone, thanks to one man alone, that being Bishop Martino."

Is it your belief that Bishop Martino was working behind the scenes for years, impoverishing the area, causing our young people to look elsewhere for opportunities, thus decreasing our ethnic churches? Likewise, was he urging Catholics In Name Only to sleep in every Sunday for years on end before he was installed at Wyoming and Linden, thus ensuring that a large number of Catholics would attend church only once or twice a year, if that, and those who did a bit more often would give their "weekly dollar" and nothing more? Martino was quite busy for decades before his arrival to this diocese if that is your opinion.

"There's some not-so-baseless EVIDENCE for you right there.'

Again, you don't offer up specifics. Do you think that Bishop Martino is responsible for killing off all of the 1st and 2nd generation immigrants to this area who actually attended church and made it a central part of their lives? Do you think that he truly WANTS to close Catholic schools? If so, where is your "evidence"?

"people like you, and like Bishop Martino are dividing, alienating, casting out, and excluding vast segments of the Catholic community. I see no reaching out whatsoever, no attempts to bridge the gaps."

Have you ever read the New Testament, false-JC? I would refer you to the Saviour's words. "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three." Luke 12:51-52. It seems that Christ knew that there would always be division in the church. He didnt water down His message and I don't see why Martino should water down his.
Before you post anything, anti-JC, please tell me how many people Bishop Martino has "cast out" of the church. I want a specific number, not an empty claim.

Signed, The JC who doesnt spout off unsubstantiated nonsense.

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The Real JC, 06/16/09 08:50

Father Bechtel,
To repeat once again.. Have any cost analyzes been done on reopening PiusX?

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Gman, 06/16/09 11:48

Boycott the bishop annual appeal. don't give a single penny to that man. write a letter to the pope and tell him exactly what you think of this man and what he has done to the diocese.

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carl lugetti, 06/15/09 08:24

The question of Catholic tradition itself should be examined relative to Bishop Martino. He has taken a stand on what, exactly? Abortion? That always seems to be what it comes back to. And little else. To any outside observer, it would seem the one and only thing that Bishop Martino cares about is abortion.

But let's take it one step further - Martino made a daily point of attacking and chastising Senator Casey nonstop for not being pro-life enough for his liking. Senator Casey, like it or not, is much farther on the pro-life side of the spectrum than most legislators. And we were to understand it's because Casey is Catholic, and nominally under the purview of Martino's diocese.

Meanwhile, Martino was silent on Specter, whose record is FAR more liberal than Casey's on the subject of abortion. I guess we were supposed to understand it's because Specter's Jewish, not Catholic. Interesting, as the basis for Martino's views on abortion come from the exact same Old Testament as Specter's Pentateuch and Talmud. Well, whatever.

So then Martino starts attacking Obama. Still mum on Specter. But wait, Obama's not a Catholic, nor does he have anything to do with Martino's diocese. So what did Casey and Obama have in common that Specter did not? A (D) after their name.

Nothing more than old-fashioned partisan politics. Martino is nothing more than a blatant shill and mouthpiece for the GOP and right-wing, using the Catholic Church for cover. He may have some of you duped, but he's not fooling me one bit. I consider him to be no better than just another Rush Limbaugh at this point.

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Jeff, 06/13/09 10:45

Whatever, JC. Get over yourself.

What traditions? For starters, how about all of the ethnic Catholic traditions. How about Catholic education?

All gone, thanks to one man alone, that being Bishop Martino.

That's been reported "EXTENSIVELY" in the last year here, apparently you were so full of your own rants you forgot to actually read what was being reported. Your supposed comments may be gone, but the actual NEWS ITEMS are very much still there in the archives.

There's some not-so-baseless EVIDENCE for you right there.

This "Catholics In Name Only" business of yours is also yet another PERFECT piece of EVIDENCE that I will happily throw right back in your face of how people like you, and like Bishop Martino are dividing, alienating, casting out, and excluding vast segments of the Catholic community. I see no reaching out whatsoever, no attempts to bridge the gaps. I only see "don't let the door hit you in the rear" coming from you loud and clear. I wouldn't want to be part of an organization that has that attitude.

Keep it up. Keep driving everyone away, and pretty soon there'll be nobody left.

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J C, 06/13/09 05:12

The JC With a Brain-

You are another one with great posts! Indeed, you have a brain!

Thank you!

God Bless!

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Father Dave Bechtel, 06/13/09 04:56

Father Bechtel,
To repeat. Have any cost analyzes been done on reopening PiusX?

An aside. I voted for Obama the Pro-Choice candidate. I did not vote for the anti-Female candidate .

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Gman, 06/13/09 04:19

Mr. bechtel, why not just have the teachers take a up or down vote on the union? why has the union worked for over 30 years and in countless other dioceses, however joey boy now thinks that it is no longer needed. you state that the teachers are actually called to a vocation, so why not reward them for making that choice instead of tearing them down? the reason the teachers need a real union, like the one they had before it was busted by joey, is that very reason. the farce of a "union" that is in place is nothing more then, smoke and mirrors, no substance. a company union...for the company ,not the workers. not onlythat , but who is really closing schools here? not the teachers as joey said would happen, but it is he himself.

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Karen Bartuska, 06/13/09 03:38

"Then why did you vote for a pro-abortion candidate last year?"

Is this the same "John Smith" who refused to answer a direct question when put to him? In case you somehow conveniently forgot what it was, I'll post it below. From 5/20...

"please tell me why voting for a senator that voted against late term abortions is the moral equivalent of voting for a different senator who has never once voted to protect life inside the womb at any stage. Ever. And who has also promised to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. Please list any criteria you considered when arriving at your viewpoint given that the pragmatic approach takes into account that there are only 2 people on the ballot that have a snowball's chance in hell of actually winning."

Rather than playing snipe-and-dodge from the balcony like one of the geriatric marionettes on the Muppet Show, answer this question that I've only been waiting over 3 weeks for you to reply before asking any others.

Signed, The original, unadulterated "JC"

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The JC that actually thought before posting, 06/13/09 02:32

John,

Oh for heaven's sake, give it up already. I did not vote pro-abortion in last years election and you KNOW THAT. I voted for the candidate who was LEAST pro-abortion of the two viable options.

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Father Dave Bechtel, 06/13/09 02:25

Mark,

Look, if you want to disagree, fine. However remarks such as the one you made are uncalled for. We can disagree yet be respectful.

If you and your kind want to pass HR26 so badly, fine. But if this bill passes, I don't want to hear ANY complaints if and when tuition has to go up, parents leave the school becasue they can't afford it, and more schools close.

Given the very weak and vunerable position our schools find themselves in, the passage of such a bill will push things right over the top and the system will collapse.

Don't say no one warned you.

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Father Dave Bechtel, 06/13/09 02:23

"As for me, I am Catholic by Conviction."

Then why did you vote for a pro-abortion candidate last year?

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John Smith, 06/13/09 12:51

Protection for Teachers...not for pedofile priests.

Pass HB 26.

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mark, 06/13/09 12:13

To the complete fraud posing as "JC". Anybody with even a passing interest in the diocese and Bishop Martino who peruses these articles would be familiar with a "JC" who has posted EXTENSIVELY over the last year or so in support of Bishop Martino and the Christian faith. Unfortunately, after thetimes-tribune changed their format last month, it wiped out all comments in their archives. You can post as plain old "JC" and I will post as a varient of it.

"What is Bishop Martino destroying?

The congregation.

That's what.

Longstanding Catholic traditions in the region.

That's what."

Do you often make baseless assertions without providing any sort of "evidence" to back them up? Really, I could accuse you of destroying "traditions" and "congregations" however without any in the way of FACTS to back it up, I would be just a simple-minded blowhard. Is that a term that you hear often in your daily discourses? I would imagine it's an all too common occurance if you continually spout off such unfounded accusations as these.

"With the weak position that the church is already in with scandals and lack of trust, this brings his motivations of continuing to cause problems and rifts, rather than ANY attempts at healing the community, all the more into question."

Is it your belief that the church should pipe down, keep quiet and otherwise stay uninvolved as western civilization slowly deteriorates around us? Please define "scandals" and "lack of trust". We can examine them one at a time if you like. In the meantime, I doubt that the church is going to walk on eggshells simply to appease crybaby congregants and not speak the simple truth that until fairly recently, was good enough for most Catholics. At least the practicing ones anyway.

"What would Jesus do?"

Jesus changed the entire world with 12 apostles who didnt believe in watering down his message and making nice-nice with others simply for their faked compliance and church attendance.

"Whom did Jesus reach out to?"

Sinners, like me and you.

"Did he only focus on preaching to the choir and ignore the rest?"

Please juxtapose the position of Martino to flaky, cowardly, scared, milquetose, see-which-way-the-wind-blows-first-before-speaking bishops who do not speak out against that which flies in the face of 2000 years of tradition. I would suggest that these empty suits are the the ones "preaching to the choir" by not speaking up for that which is right.

"Martino has SERIOUSLY lost his way.'

No, Catholics in Name Only have lost their way. They speak against church position without ever even examining the reasons why the church has the stance that it does on certain issues. Again, if you want to bring up a SPECIFIC example, we could then examine it.

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The JC with a brain, 06/13/09 11:08

Stephen,

Thank you for your post.

As for letting the teachers form a union, there is one major difference between the Church and the secular world: Those who work in the Church have a vocation or calling to do so. Those who work in the Church know they are not going to get the salary they deserve, or the salary they should. They know up front they will not get the benifits they should or deserve.

The purpose of a union is to bargin as a collective for those who are looking to ADVANCE themselves within their organization and get the most money for their work. This indeed has it's proper role within secular society, but has no place within the Church, becasue the Church does not work on the same principles as secular society. I am not anti-union, I am pro-union in it's proper place, function, and role.

Finally, the teachers do have a union. The DIFFERENCE is that they do not have the union MIKE MILTZ is demanding. The question becomes "Why is it that Mike Miltz needs the union HE demands? Why is HIS form of a union the only acceptable position?"

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Father Dave Bechtel, 06/13/09 09:32

Gman,

If we have plentiful vocations, it would be more cost effective to use our own seminary both for the Diocese and for our seminarians. With plentiful vocations other dioceses would also send to our seminary which would help generate revenue for it. The seminary in part would be a revenue GENERATING department as opposed to a revenue LOOSING department. Any business man knows that which GENERATES Revenue is always a good thing and not to be toyed with. Whenever cutbacks are made in the corporate world, where are they made? In those departments that LOOSE revenue.

That is precisely the reason the seminary was surpressed- becasue of the lack of vocations, and it no longer became cost effective to operate it. The bishop is hopeful that situation will change one day and so am I. To have your own Diocesean Seminary is a thing to be proud of for any diocese.

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Father Dave Bechtel, 06/13/09 09:18

Truly Sorry,

The Church is not going anywhere. Anyone who knows history knows that the Catholic Church is the only empire which has survived the test of time. Anyone who knows history also knows that the Catholic Church NEVER should have survived throughout histroy yet it did.

God is with us, and the Church will survive until Christ comes again. This does not mean the Church will be strong. In fact the Bible indicates quite the oppisite. In the end times, the Church will be small, weak, and under persecution.

I dare say times of "un-popularity" and persecution for the Church are God's way of pruning the Church. Such times require all who call themselves Catholics to re-evaluate why they are Catholic. Are they Catholic becasue they truly believe and hold all that the Church teaches, believes, and passes on in her Faith? (In short Catholic by Conviction) Or are they Catholic simply for convienience, or becasue they were raised Catholic, their wife or husband is Catholic, and so forth.

If one is not Catholic by Conviction, that is fine- but I would challange such people to reflect upon their Faith and why they choose to associate themselves with Catholocism. As for me, I am Catholic by Conviction. What keeps me Catholic is one thing: The Eucharist, and ONLY the Eucharist. Like everyone else I have my preferences, and like everyone else I don't always like everything the Catholic Church does- but the Faith is NOT about me and NEVER WAS. The Faith is not about YOU and NEVER WAS. It is about CHRIST, AND ONLY CHRIST, (Solus Christus) what he DID, IS DOING, and WILL DO For us, which we celebrate in the Eucharist.

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Father Dave Bechtel, 06/13/09 09:13

I'm a student of the diocese of scranton, and its really scarey around this time of year, because you never kno if your school is going to be around next year, or your favorite teacher is going to be back. a catholic education is still the best way to go, its really preparing me for the real world.

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student, 06/13/09 12:38

Diocese of Scranton eliminates 55 teaching positions

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