By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Thursday marks the first day of a three-day retreat to begin a “strategic planning process” t0 map the future of Catholic education in Ellis County.

The retreat will be in advance of Catholic Schools Week, which begins Sunday.

According to Thomas More Prep-Marian Principal Kathy Taylor,  TMP is at  a “threshold” of determining where the Catholic education program is going. Taylor said prioritizing funds as well as  addressing how TMP and Holy Family Elementary fit into the community and in K-12 education is also part to the “step-by-step” plan.

Taylor said the retreat is the first of many discussions to examine issues such as building maintenance and budget planning.  With the closing of Kennedy Middle School, space is another issue.  Additionally, Taylor said Holy Family Elementary already has a waiting list of 60.

“We have just had monumental change, we have great momentum, and we have unprecedented growth.  All those things are excellent, but unless we go into the future with a plan, we wont keep all three of those things going in the right direction,” said Taylor.

Taylor said the 15-member planning team consists of TMP staff, alumni and parent groups.  Taylor said the team will meet “regularly” and will focus on the next two to three years.