St. Frances Cabrini school to close
PISCATAWAY — Father James Considine, administrator of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, announced that St. Frances Cabrini School will close in June 2009.
In a letter from Father Considine and the school’s principal, Kathy Hayes, parents and parishioners were told that the school’s closure was the result of decreased enrollment, increased parish subsidies to the school, as well as missed benchmarks.
Last year, the Catholic schools in the diocese were studied as consultants together with a diocesan task force developed a strategic plan. A draft of the plan recommended the closure of St. Frances Cabrini. School officials then presented a recovery plan with benchmarks, the plan was accepted and the school given a reprieve.
Following the acceptance of the school’s recovery plan, its Home School Association significantly increased its financial support of the school, but enrollment continued to decline. For the 2001-2002 school year, St. Frances had 202 students in grades kindergarten to eight. Each subsequent year, enrollment declined until at the end of the 2007 year the school student body numbered 135 with an additional 20 children in pre-k classes.
In June, Msgr. John Szymanski, then temporary administrator for St. Frances Cabrini Parish; Bill Boulle, chairperson of the Parish Council; Elaine Scull, HSA president; Hayes and Father Considine met with diocesan officials to assess the school’s progress.
“Everyone acknowledged that in all their years of being involved in Catholic education, they had not seen a more valiant effort on a community’s part to do everything possible to turn the tide,” Father Considine wrote.
“However, the enrollment figures, far below the 200 pupil figure set to sign of minimum stability and financial health could no longer be ignored,” he continued, adding, “It was decided that the 2008 school year would be the last for St. Frances students.”
“We wanted to give everyone time to think, pray and respond in proactive ways for their future. We want to make the next school year life-giving,” Father Considine said.
Hayes added that in the coming year there will be special events planned to celebrate St. Frances’ rich 42-year history and to help students, staff and parents prepare for the transition to another school.
“We want the coming year to be a positive experience,” Hayes said.
Ellen Ayoub, superintendent of schools, said the diocese is committed to keeping St. Frances Cabrini open for the school year.
“We believe the dedicated teachers at St. Frances will make this year a special one which the students will benefit from and will always remember,” Ayoub said.
