Buildings as Assets: The Strategic Use of Closed Catholic Schools

• In Event: Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Topics in Private Education

Abstract

This study focused on ten Catholic ecclesiastical and geographical units known as
archdioceses and dioceses that had experienced a significant number of Catholic school closures between 1965 and 2010. Two related but distinct concerns motivated this study: 1) the risks and benefits of leasing closed Catholic schools to charter schools; and 2) good stewardship of church assets generally. Primary research questions sought to identify the current use of buildings that no longer function as Catholic schools, the number of such facilities currently being leased to charter school operators, diocesan policies and procedures governing the decision-making process in repurposing a school, and the use of income generated by the lease or sale of a former Catholic school.

Authors

• Ronald J. Nuzzi, University of Notre Dame

• James Mario Frabutt, University of Notre Dame

• Anthony C. Holter, University of Notre Dame