Saint
Cecilia’s RC Elementary School in Kearny Closes Its Doors Rev. James Weiner, Administrator of St. Cecilia’s parish, expressed his sadness at having to come to the decision to close the school. He explained the decision to close was a reluctant one, but a necessary one under the circumstances. “With 99 children enrolled in St. Cecilia School for 2002-03, we face a deficit of $345,000. We would have to charge parents nearly $4,500 per child to attend St. Cecilia School and family discounts would be discontinued,” Rev. Weiner stated. The declining numbers in enrollment, mixed with the escalating costs of quality education, were both factors in the decision to close. In a letter sent home to the parents, Rev. Weiner and Principal Elaine McCarthy wrote that they were aware that families who attend St. Cecilia would not be able to afford a drastic increase in tuition. Two other Catholic elementary schools in Kearny, St. Stephen’s and Sacred Heart, offer the same affordable, quality Catholic education as St. Cecilia’s. Parents were informed that both schools are prepared to enroll students from St. Cecilia’s for that start of the new year in September. A process already exists to assist teachers who wish to continue teaching in Catholic schools. A representative of the Archdiocesan Schools Office will be meeting with teachers to explain their options, and assist them with the transition.
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