Catholic parish pursues primary school parents over ‘voluntary’ levy payments
As well as forking out for tuition fees, families with children attending Catholic primary schools are expected to pay a levy to the parish, with one now accused of harassing late-paying parents.
Education
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A Catholic parish has been accused of harassing school parents from a local primary school over voluntary levy payments.
Parents at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Glen Iris pay $2340 a year in annual fees per child, but they are told to pay an additional $390 annual levy to St Cecilia’s Parish.
The invoice from the church notes that the money must be paid “as per your commitment when enrolling your child/children at St Cecilia’s Parish School”.
Although the payment is listed in the school handbook as “voluntary”, parents are repeatedly contacted and sent follow-up invoices by the parish if they do not pay.
A parent who did not want to be identified told the Herald Sun the parish’s actions were “sly and shameful”.
“During the COVID-19 lockdown the parish had continued to send reminders/demands for the ‘levy’ regardless of a family’s circumstance,” she said.
“If you make a donation of less than $390 the parish telephones you and demands more money.”
Catholic primary schools set their own fees, often in consultation with their local parish priest, who sits on many school boards.
As well as school fees, many parents are expected to pay parish levies.
These include $120 per family at St Mary’s Greensborough, $160 at Lisieux Catholic Primary School in Torquay, $400 at Glowrey Catholic Primary in Wollert and $600 at Sacred Heart in Kew.
Parents report being told at their enrolment interviews that payment is required and those who do not are “an exception”.
St Cecilia’s Parish Priest Fr Kevin McGovern told the Herald Sun four reminders were sent each year – one per term to parents to follow up payment.
“If it’s not made by that time, we leave it. It doesn’t carry on each year and we wouldn’t pull children out of school if it is not paid,” he said.
In a statement issued through Catholic Education Melbourne, Fr McGovern said that “any parents and carers experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, or indeed for any reason, are encouraged to discuss this either with me or the school Principal”.
“Families can be assured that their circumstances will be confidentially discussed and that an arrangement will be reached to appropriately support them,” he said.
More than 112,000 students are enrolled in Catholic primary schools in Victoria.
Catholic Education Melbourne Executive Director Jim Miles said parish levies are voluntary. “Families with children who attend a Catholic school are welcomed as members of the parish community and, in some parishes, are asked to make a contribution to support their parish each year,” he said.
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