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St. Joe's future still 'unclear' |
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Tuesday, 25 August 2009 |
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
Despite another decline in enrollment, classes are set to begin at St. Joseph Catholic School in September, but its future after this school year is still unclear.
St. Joseph Catholic School Principal Ron Fahnke said approximately 50 students are enrolled for kindergarten through eighth grade at the school, a decline from the 60 students enrolled last year. Ninety-five students were enrolled in 2007.
To help curb the falling numbers, the school is to begin its new multi-age configuration, merging grade levels together into four classes. Fahnke said kindergarten and first-grade will merge, as will second and third grades, fourth and fifth grades, and sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
Three teaching positions were eliminated because of the change, Fahnke said.
“This was a situation when the numbers and logistics were looked over, we felt this configuration would be a good move for the school,” Fahnke said, noting the class sizes will vary between nine to 20 students per class.
The school’s future has been in turmoil for several years with school officials fighting rumors of closure as enrollment figures spiraled. In the early 1980s, enrollment at the school was at an all-time high with 350 to 400 students. This year’s enrollment is less than 12 percent of that all-time high.
In December 2007, members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Leadership Committee decided to work to keep the school open and boost enrollment figures.
In September 2008, the school was believed to be ready to close when the school administrators failed to enroll a set goal of 70 students.
In February, a study team appointed by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk filed a report on the viability of the school, stating it would be open for the 2009-2010 school year, although no word was given about its future beyond the year.
On Monday, six months after the decision, Fahnke said the 2010-2011 year is still cloudy, though he noted school officials were hopeful it would continue on.
“We’re optimistic,” Fahnke said. “After the year gets going and we look into the future, different assessments will be made. We’ve had many concerns and heavy decisions over the past several years and we’ve come through those and we feel that God is with us and watching out for us.”
Fahnke said there are a multitude of factors leading to the steady decline in enrollment.
“Some people say they’re unsure about the school’s future, some say the class sizes are too small, and some say they can’t afford tuition right now with the economic situation,” Fahnke said.
Tuition for this school year is $1,500 for a parishioner, a rate Fahnke said is one of the lowest in the archdiocese.
Fahnke said he is unsure how low enrollment must get to necessitate a closure, though he said a figure is “out there.”
“That’s not been mentioned, but I’m sure it’s out there,” Fahnke said. “Some would say we hit that number a long time ago, but we’re looking forward to a great year and a chance to provide the best Catholic education for parents, parishioners and students.
“We have a great and dedicated staff,” he said, “and they’re excited about starting the new school year.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 26 August 2009 )
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