The appeals process and other details of the transition process were explained yesterday in meetings with pastors, principals and high-school administrators. Only representatives from the affected schools participated, Farrell said.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput is expected to make his decision by mid-February.
Priests of parish elementary schools and presidents of high schools may submit requests for an appeals meeting by Feb. 1 to the Office of Catholic Education.
A school then would meet for about an hour with a review committee composed of members of the Archdiocese's blue-ribbon commission and Archdiocese administrators. Any other school affected by a closing would be invited to attend the meeting, Farrell said.
In the appeal meeting, the review committee would present the facts that were considered in making a recommendation for closure. The appealing school then would present its facts to bolster its argument to remain open.
The review committee would then give its recommendation to Chaput, who would make the final decision.
One thorny problem for the Archdiocese could arise Jan. 19, Universal Visitation Day, when Catholic-school eighth-graders traditionally visit the high school they are interested in attending. The Archdiocese confirmed last night that no closing high schools would hold visitation day.
