CNBNews

These realities, unfortunately, have impacted Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School . Our school serves an area of the diocese in which population has decreased more than 30 percent over the last five decades. This change has contributed to a marked decline in enrollment from our peak of 373 students in 2001-2002 to just 111 this year, despite the efforts of dedicated parents and school administrators who have worked to stabilize enrollment while continuing to provide a quality academic program.

This severe under-enrollment has resulted in a reduction of tuition income, thereby placing upward pressure on tuition rates, which, in turn, has made it difficult to increase enrollment, especially during difficult economic times. This also has resulted in rising deficits, which will be nearly $400,000 this year, depleting finite resources that are needed by the sponsoring parishes to support their ministries.

After having convened the pastors of the sponsoring parishes, having met with Bishop Galante and his school advisors last fall and earlier this month, and having carefully weighed the current data and the prospects for turning around these critical variables, it is clear that we will be unable to keep the school open beyond this current school year.

We know that the challenges facing Bishop Guilfoyle have been well known and that this decision does not come as a surprise to our school community. Yet, we also understand that this does not diminish the sadness and disappointment that we all feel at this time. We realize that the support of Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School has required a deep commitment and great sacrifice on the part of parishioners, faculty and parents alike. This decision should not diminish the pride we all have had in the school for its academic excellence, its strong sense of community, or its success fostering moral values in our children. Nor should it diminish our future commitment to Catholic school education for the children of our parishes.

To this end, we have been working to develop the best plans possible to ensure that students will have continued access to quality Catholic education starting with the September, 2010 school year. In collaboration with the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools we will work to address critical transition issues, including transportation plans, and to facilitate the enrollment of your children in another nearby Catholic elementary school, the following transition assistance will be offered:

Ø A $1,000 per student tuition voucher will be provided to each family that may be applied toward tuition at another Catholic school chosen by the family for the 2010-2011 school year.

Ø Tuition assistance for families already granted at Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School for the 2010-2011 school year will be honored at another Catholic school chosen by the family.

Ø Registration fees already paid for the 2010-2011 school year will be transferred to the new school at which the family enrolls their children (or it will be refunded if you choose not to enroll your child in a Catholic elementary school).

Ø The Catholic Schools Office of the diocese also will work to place as many teachers from Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School as possible and, for those we cannot place, we will offer an assistance package to help them during their transition to new employment.

As we work to address these transition issues, we stress that we will continue in the remaining months of the school year to adhere to our school calendar and to continue our school program without interruption. Indeed, we are counting on the continued commitment of parents, faculty and administration to ensure that students receive the highest quality of instruction and care until the end of the school year in June.

Finally, we thank our parents, for your support of Catholic education and our teachers who have so ably taught our students. Your expressions of support, your suggestions and honest feedback have been important as we consider the best ways to ensure that Catholic school education remains available to families in our communities. We also ask for your understanding and prayers as we work together to address the challenges facing our parishes and schools.

Sincerely

Mrs. Kathryn Chesnut, Principal
Fr. Paul Harte - Corpus Christi, Carneys Point and St. James, Penns Grove - Presiding Pastor
Fr. Steven Pinzon - St. Joseph, Swedesboro
Fr. Dennis Bajkowski - Queen of Apostles, Pennsville
Fr. James Barry - St. Mary, Salem
Fr. Anthony DiBardino - Administrator, St. Joseph , Woodstown
Fr. David Grover - Priest Convener (includes St. Joseph , Swedesboro)