The Diocese of Erie on Wednesday announced sweeping changes to Catholic schools in the 13-county region it serves, in a “Top-to-Bottom rethinking” of Catholic education amid demographic changes and declines in enrollment seen nationwide.

Under the “Preliminary Plan for Catholic Schools,” announced by the diocese this week, all Catholic schools in the region would be guided by a newly-created superintendent of schools position and new uniform guidelines. The 11 schools across the diocese currently not connected to a school system, including St. Bernard Elementary and Middle School in Bradford, will form a consortium to “enjoy improvements in academic quality and operational efficiency similar to system-affiliated schools,” a diocese news release reads.

The plan will ultimately include new initiatives for churches and diocesan ministries in the region as well, with those expected to be unveiled this coming spring.

For full coverage see Thursday’s edition of The Era