‘ACUE Taskforce’ gathers in support of urban schools

Staff Report

Fifteen individuals designated for an “ACUE Taskforce” met at the diocesan Curia, Covington, Aug. 31, for their first meeting. The Taskforce is engaging in a “90-day sprint” to identify the strengths and weaknesses within the schools under the jurisdiction Alliance for Catholic Urban Education (ACUE) for strategic planning. Members of the taskforce include five priests, a woman religious and lay people involved in ACUE schools. This same group visited the ACUE schools the previous Friday, Aug. 28, including having lunch with students and Bishop John Iffert at St. Anthony School, Taylor Mill.

The ACUE Taskforce was formed as a result of the Schools Commission — who recognized a specific need for targeted planning for ACUE schools.

“Marketing and communications,” according to Deacon Jim Fortner, COO, prove to be the greatest challenge faced by ACUE schools and diocesan schools at large, with enrollment in ACUE schools having dropped by 60 percent since 2003. The ACUE Taskforce aims to identify and begin planning solutions to this and any other arising needs within the schools.