| 12/10/2008 6:16:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Consultations underway at
three Southern Md. schools
RICHARD SZCZEPANOWSKI
Catholic Standard staff
Meetings are being held regarding three Southern Maryland Catholic schools this week to discuss the low enrollment and serious financial deficits those schools face, and to find ways to address those concerns.
The three schools Ð Holy Angels-Sacred Heart School in Avenue, St. Mary, Star of the Sea School in Indian Head, and St. Michael's School in Ridge - are operating at a combined deficit of more than $972,000. According to figures released by the Archdiocese of Washington, the projected deficit at Holy Angels-Sacred Heart School is $450,811, the projected deficit at St. Mary Star of the Sea School is $221,478, and the projected deficit at St. Michael's School is $300,000.
The schools are also facing low enrollments. Holy Angels-Sacred Heart School has 83 students, about one-third of the school's capactiy. St. Mary Star of the Sea School is operating at less than 50 percent capacity with 104 students. St. Michael's School has 150 students, slightly less than two-thirds the school's capactity.
Meetings are being held this week with Archdiocese of Washington schools officials, the pastor of each parish, school officials, school parents and concerned parishioners. A meeting was held Dec. 10 at St. Mary Star of the Sea. Meetings are also scheduled for today (Dec. 11) at 7 p.m. at Holy Angels-Sacred Heart School, and Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Michael's School.
An insert last weekend in each of the parishes' bulletins urged interested persons to attend the meetings and to "prayerfully reflect on the options for our school."
This year, Holy Angels-Sacred Heart School received a special tuition subsidy grant of $25,000 from the archdiocese, but the enrollment there has continued to drop. The school, which is in its 82nd year, has experienced a 36 percent loss in enrollment during the past nine years. On average, each grade there has only nine students.
At St. Mary Star of the Sea School, the archdiocese provided $50,000 as part of a tuition assistance pilot program to attract students who could not otherwise attend Catholic Schools. The Indian Head school, which began more than 45 years ago, enrolled one new student and retained 14 others with help from that program, but according to background information provided by the archdiocese, that "has not been enough to overcome the serious enrollment declines the school is facing."
At St. Michael's School, enrollment is up slightly this year, from 129 students to 150, with the help of the special tuition subsidy grant of $65,800 from the archdiocese. But the enrollment is well below the school's capacity of 240 students. St. Michael's began 90 years ago.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
| VATICAN | CATHOLIC RESOURCES | Parishes of the Archdiocese
