JAMESTOWN – The city of Jamestown’s only remaining Catholic school will be closing its doors at the end of this school year. The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting today that despite raising more than $120,000 to cover its projected 2012-13 deficit, the Catholic Academy of the Holy Family will not open next year. Parents reportedly received a letter notifying them of the news on Tuesday.
In February, the school announced that declining enrollment was creating a budget gap that had to be fixed in order to remain open for the 2012-13 school year. It set two main goals – to increase enrollment, and to repair the budget deficit. This week’s announcement to close was made by the Diocese of Buffalo, despite the fact the school was able to raise the needed money. However, officials with the church did not feel the school had increased enrollment enough to re-open its doors next year. School officials say they increased enrollment nearly 25 percent in nine weeks, but the church wanted to see an increase of 100 percent. So far, just 69 students were enrolled for next school year. The goal was 100. No details have been given on how the church plans to use the $120,000 that came in during the fundraiser earlier this year.
Leave a Reply