Simon Resigns St. Thomas Post

George K. Simon, of 1450 I Covington, chairman of the St. I Thomas Parish Board of EduI catión since it was established 2!2 years ago, resigned this Iweek for "health and personal I reasons." The progress . . . "from an I autocratie pastoral rule of our I schools to a democratie process jhas been a major transition jwith many trials and tribulaI tions," he declared. I "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 decisión 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 provisión. "I would like to make clear that the raise was not intended to cut from our roster the lowincome 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 I sons. "I would like to see a I gress of all school boards in this vicarate to help each other in the common problems that are interrelated with one er, such as consolidation, transportation, common use of audio and visual aids, etc.," he said. He also callea for expansión andimprovementofthe schools' departments of religión. 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.