NEWS RELEASE
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: Rev. John M. Harkins | |
| January 10, 2000 |
Pastor, St. Michael Parish 215-739-2358 Rev. Msgr. John T. Conway Regional Vicar, Philadelphia-South 215-476-7484 |
|
Rev. John M. Harkins, Pastor of Saint Michael Parish, announces that Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has accepted a recommendation that Saint Michael Parish School, located at 1429 N. 2nd Street in North Philadelphia, close in June of 2000.
The recommendation to close St. Michael Parish School came after a long, thoughtful process, following an in-depth feasibility study. The feasibility study included consultation with the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, school parents, and faculty. The study considered many factors; foremost, the educational interests of children, a significant and steady decline in enrollment, demographic changes, the condition of the school building and escalating tuition.
- Enrollment
- Enrollment has been steadily declining for many years
- In 1994/95, enrollment was 222; current enrollment is 122; school could accommodate up to 230 students
- Kindergarten was eliminated for the academic year 1999-2000 due to a
registration of only four students by March 30, 1999
- Demographics
- Parish has seen significant loss of population, from 1200 in 1993 to 800 in 1999
- Baptisms have declined from 17 in 1993 to 10 in 1998
- Condition of School Building
- St. Michael School building, erected in 1852, is in need of substantial repairs
- Repairs and other upgrades are cost-prohibitive
- Finances
- School has sustained substantial operating deficits
- Archdiocese has subsidized the school since 1994
"The feasibility of the closure/placement plan was established in direct consultation with pastors and principals of the surrounding parishes," says Father Harkins. "Pastors and principals have assured me that our children will be welcomed in their schools. The closure of St. Michael School and placement of its students in other schools of the Cluster offers the best assurance for the continued Catholic education of our children."
The six schools closest to St. Michael's are: St. Boniface, St. Peter, Holy Name, St. Laurentius, St. Malachy, and St. Anne.
No decision has been made regarding the future of the St. Michael Parish School building.
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Editor's Note: There is one attachment to this release: the official letter from the Regional Vicar, Rev. Msgr. John T. Conway, notifying the Pastor about Cardinal Bevilacqua's acceptance and approval of the Pastor's recommendation.