ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

News Release

Holy Spirit Parish Elementary School
to Close in June 2003

For Immediate Release
May 5, 2003

Contact:

Rev. Msgr. John E. Breslin
Vicar for Delaware County
610-543-6759

Rev. Martin E. Woodeshick
Pastor, Holy Spirit Parish
610-583-2220

The Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish announces that Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has accepted the recommendation from the Holy Spirit School Study Committee to close Holy Spirit Parish Elementary School in Sharon Hill, Delaware County in June 2003. A feasibility study found that the school cannot be maintained viably by the parish due to dramatically decreasing enrollment which results in increasing costs per student.

Currently, there are only twelve students in the first grade. Many grades have less than fifteen students. If the school remained open in 2003-04, a decline from 173 to 136 students - a decrease of 37 students - is now estimated. Demographics are changing so rapidly that this was not foreseen.

A quality, stable Catholic education is available to all of the Holy Spirit students. Six parishes within a three mile radius are willing to accept any of the students from Holy Spirit Parish Elementary School. The parishes are: Saint George Parish, Glenolden; Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Darby; Saint Gabriel Parish, Norwood; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Secane; Saint Eugene Parish, Primos and Saint Joseph Parish, Collingdale.

The majority of parents of children attending Holy Spirit who were surveyed said they intend to enroll their child/children in another Catholic school. Although this is a difficult time for many, it is also the cause of an awakened appreciation of Catholic education and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to keep their children in a Catholic school.

Background
In November 2002, Holy Spirit Parish requested permission for a feasibility study of the parish elementary school. Cardinal Bevilacqua granted permission for this study in December 2002. In January 2003, the School Study Committee met to review demographic and financial projections and upcoming staff changes and at that time, determined the need to request permission to close Holy Spirit School in June 2003. The School Study Committee is made up of seventeen members including the pastor, principal, faculty, members of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council as well as parents whose children attend Holy Spirit School.

In early February 2003, the pastor, Father Woodeshick, met individually with the twelve faculty members of Holy Spirit School. The teachers expressed that they would prefer to close the school in June 2003 rather than 2004. They felt that another school year would be very difficult and the drop in enrollment even greater than projected. In addition, the school principal is retiring at the end of the current school year and two other faculty members planned to resign for personal reasons. The Archdiocesan Office for Catholic Education is providing assistance to the five teachers who do not yet have other positions.
The School Study Committee also held a meeting with school families in February 2003. It was a positive, productive and informative meeting. The parents, once presented with the facts, were very understanding and could see the need for the school to close, although they were disappointed and saddened.

Conclusion
The drastic decline in enrollment is due to the demographic change taking place in the parish at an accelerated rate. (In 2001, the parish had 2606 parishioners and in 2002 that number decreased to 2421.) As enrollment decreases, the cost per pupil increases as does the cost of tuition. The closure of Holy Spirit Parish Elementary School is extremely painful but the school community devoted serious thought to this situation. It is believed that the closure will allow the children of Holy Spirit School to receive a quality, stable, Catholic education at one of the neighboring schools.
A "Receiving School Fair" will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in Holy Spirit Parish church. The nearby schools will provide information to families of Holy Spirit students. The last day of school is June 13, 2003.

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