1. Annexation to the city should not muddy proposal
The proposal to build a Catholic High School in Morgan Hill to serve South County continues to make slow, steady progress.
Where the high school is to be built – on land that needs to be annexed to the city – complicates the process. But building the high school is hardly a precursor to rampant development in the area known as the Southeast Quadrant in Morgan Hill, and the annexation process should not muddy the political waters in that regard.
A Catholic High School in the area benefits Gilroy and the region. Essentially, it’s a regional serving institution that would take cars out of the clogged U.S. 101 commute, give parents another viable educational option for their children and enhance the quality of life in our communities.
2. Financial goal for the first phase is $30 million
The proposed location of the school makes perfect sense. It’s close to freeway access off Tenannt Avenue, was a preferred site for a public high school before land was donated at another location to build Sobrato High School and is close to city-owned facilities that the school is proposing to use under a fee agreement.
While the fund-raising efforts continue, it’s clear that support from the community and the Diocese of San Jose is building. Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Daly, a relative newcomer to the San Jose Catholic hierarchy, is a strong supporter say the project’s backers. He served as the president of Marin Catholic High School and is a devout believer in Catholic education.
That’s a key piece to the puzzle for financial and organizational support for a school that will be operated by the diocese. The committee’s goal is to raise $30 million to complete the first phase.
3. Gilroy officials should offer political support for school
An estimated 250 students leave South County for Catholic high schools either in San Jose or Salinas and another 200 attend other private high schools. That’s a lot of time and energy wasted.
Gilroy, while not directly involved in the planning process, should weigh in with LAFCO officials, publicly or behind the scenes, when the annexation process is launched. With the number of students at St. Mary’s here and at St. Catherine’s in Morgan Hill, it’s clear that many parents would likely opt for a local Catholic high school alternative.
Meanwhile, the Catholic High School project in South County is clearly living, breathing and garnering more support. It has ours and we look forward to celebrating the opening with those who have long worked behind the scenes to accomplish this goal and give families a viable option for a Catholic high school education in South County.
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