St. Paul’s School to close in June

KENMORE, N.Y. (RELEASE) - Declining enrollment combined with increasing costs have prompted the decision to close St. Paul’s Catholic Elementary School in Kenmore at the end of the current academic year.

The decision was made by Father Jay McGinnis, pastor of St. Paul Parish, and the parish trustees following ongoing discussions with school parents and school leadership regarding enrollment and financial concerns. It was approved by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec.

Only 69 students have registered for the 2010-11 school year. The school needs 185 students to balance its budget, with current enrollment at 105 students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Faced with declining enrollment and significant financial challenges to date this fiscal year, the parish anticipates subsidizing the school with $325,000, or 60 percent of parish income to meet school payroll for the remainder of the school year.

“We have done a great deal of research and have consulted with diocesan education officials to address the enrollment and financial challenges facing the school,” Father McGinnis said, “but we have been unable to stem the tide of declining enrollment. As a parish, we can no longer afford to sustain the school.”

Bishop Kmiec announced that St. Paul’s students who transfer to another Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo will receive $500 in tuition assistance from the diocese. “We want to make sure as many students as possible continue their education in a Catholic school,” Bishop Kmiec said.

St. Paul’s has 11 full-time and five part-time faculty members along with four full-time and one part-time staff members. The diocesan department of Human Resources will assist faculty and staff members in finding employment opportunities in other Catholic schools.

“Father McGinnis and the trustees have my support and prayers as they deal with this difficult decision,” Bishop Kmiec said.

Bishop Kmiec also renewed his call for the New York State legislature to approve tuition tax credits for parents of private school students. “Failure by the state to enact tax credits means our Catholic school parents are doubly burdened by having to pay both tuition and public school taxes. But it also hurts all New Yorkers because across the state, religious and independent schools save taxpayers $8.5 billion a year. Every time a child leaves one of our schools for a public school, the cost of public education rises and public schools become even more overcrowded.

“Tuition tax credits would provide tax relief to all parents, especially poor parents, for their educational expenses, including tuition. In addition, education investment tax credits would also help tremendously by encouraging corporate and individual donations to schools and scholarship organizations,” Bishop Kmiec said.

St. Paul’s School opened on January 6, 1899, with two classrooms. Enrollment peaked at 836 students in 1966. For many decades, the school was staffed by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur.

For more information about St. Paul’s School, visit http://stpaulonline.net .