Simon Resigns St. Thomas Post
Simon Resigns St. Thomas Post
George K. Simon, of 1450 Covington, chairman of the St. Thomas Parish Board of Education since it was established 2½ years ago, resigned this week for "health and personal reasons."
The progress . . . "from an autocratic pastoral rule of our schools to a democratic process has been a major transition with many trials and tribulations," he declared.
"We were instrumental in increasing the salaries and fringe benefits of our teachers to a competitive scale . . .; inaugurated the hiring of a business manager to handle financial and other matters involved in the school operation; enlisted, with the cooperation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother House, the assistance of Sister Ignatius Mary as religious director responsible for a much improved CCD (catechism) program."
Simon touched upon the recent tuition hike at St. Thomas, reiterating that it was "the board's decision to raise tuition to a functional level. The Diocesan guidelines served as the basis for the present formula with the addition of a minimum-maximum provision. "I would like to make clear that the raise was not intended to cut from our roster the low-income families but rather to assure all people of a school at all," he said.
Simon recommended "the establishment of a scholarship fund to give grants and aid to prospective students who wish to avail themselves of a Catholic education but cannot afford all or part of the cost. I suggest this be supported by an annual church collection and by contributions from interested persons.
"I would like to see a congress of all school boards in this vicarate to help each other in the common problems that are interrelated with one another, such as consolidation, transportation, common use of audio and visual aids, etc.," he said. He also called for expansion and improvement of the schools’ departments of religion.
Bernard J. Ryan of 437 Brookside was appointed to fill Simon's vacancy on the board. A new chairman will be elected at the next meeting.