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Declining enrollment, uncertain future cited in closure of Ogdensburg’s St. Marguerite D’Youville Academy

Posted 4/1/14

OGDENSBURG -- Dropping enrollment, budget shortfalls for the past few years, and no guarantees for the future have forced the hand of church authorities who will close St. Marguerite D’Youville …

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Declining enrollment, uncertain future cited in closure of Ogdensburg’s St. Marguerite D’Youville Academy

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- Dropping enrollment, budget shortfalls for the past few years, and no guarantees for the future have forced the hand of church authorities who will close St. Marguerite D’Youville Academy at the end of this academic year.

So says an article in the Roman Catholic Diocese’s newspaper, North Country Catholic, dated April 2.

Parents learned of the decision in a letter from Father Joseph A. Morgan, rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Father F. James Shurtleff, pastor of Notre Dame Church.

The text of the letter, sent on Thursday, March 27, follows:

“As you know, SMDA has struggled for several years to maintain an enrollment that keeps our school educationally and financially sound. It is not for lack of effort on the part of so many: our dedicated and capable staff and teachers, our volunteers, our parents and grandparents, our local parishes and other friends of SMDA.

“In spring 2013, the Education Council met with the Pastoral and Finance Councils of both Notre Dame Church and St. Mary’s Cathedral parishes.

“The resolution of that meeting, which was available by letter in our parishes, was a determination to “try one more year” to increase enrollment and become more financially stable. However, despite our best efforts, neither goal was achieved. Enrollment took an even deeper plunge and we are unable to remain current on our bills.

“When we began the current school year, we had 50 children in Grades K through 6, and only 5 in our Junior K program. That has slightly increased during this second half of the year, but not nearly to the point that is needed. Projected enrollment for K through Grade 6 for the next school year shows a further decrease, with a possible rebound for Junior K.

“The joint Councils met again in February 2014 to review all the data and to make further recommendations regarding the future of SMDA. While their advice was not unanimous, it was very heavily weighted toward looking at other ways of promoting our Catholic faith for our children and families.

“With so few taking advantage of the opportunities offered by SMDA, they recommended that we close SMDA and find another way to engage our families in faith formation and encourage their practice of the faith.

“Therefore, we requested permission from Bishop LaValley to announce the closure of SMDA at the end of this current academic year. Bishop has endorsed this recommendation, expressing his appreciation for all that SMDA and its many predecessors have accomplished over the years.

“In addition, Bishop LaValley expects our parishes to re-invigorate our faith formation programs and do all we can to instill a love for our Catholic faith in our families.

“In the meantime, we ask all of you to celebrate the good things SMDA has brought to the lives of many families over the years. It is a time to keep our focus fixed on gratitude.

“While the loss of SMDA is a cause for sadness, it is also a challenge for us to begin anew with a focus on family catechesis and evangelization.

“For the sake of our children, families, teachers and staff, make every effort to participate in the remaining programs of SMDA for the next few months. Your support will help us to finish the school year on a positive note and will be very much appreciated. It will also be most beneficial to your children.

“We remain grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of our principal, teachers and staff of SMDA.

“The commitment of our parishes and families to SMDA has also been a source of great blessing,” the letter to parents closes.