Statement
of James Goodness, Director of Communications, During the past few weeks, parents have worked tirelessly to increase their projected enrollment for the September 2006 school year, and obtain alternative funding opportunities. They have reported to us that they have met a self-established goal of 151 students - roughly equal to the current pre-k -grade 8 enrollment -- and have obtained some funding to help offset anticipated costs for a September 2006 school year. In addition, the parish has received a generous bequest that will be used to help offset extensive unpaid expenses related to prior years. While these steps have indeed been positive, the proposal provides only a short-term solution; it does not address the ongoing realities of an education program in an era of declining enrollments and escalating general costs into the foreseeable future under the sponsorship of a parish that is unable to provide any regular financial support or subsidy. Further, the proposal does not recognize in any capacity the extensive financial investment required to maintain the school’s deteriorating physical plant and thus ensure the safety of students. We therefore have concluded, based on the
information provided, that the original decision to close St. Aedan
School at the end of June 2006 will stand. Current students of St.
Aedan will be directed to Visitation Academy, which St. Aedan parish
will now co-sponsor with two other Jersey City parishes. Parents
who are active parishioners at St. Aedan parish will be able to
take advantage of Visitation’s lower parishioner rates. Parents
who decide to send their children to other Catholic schools in the
Archdiocese will receive tuition charges at the non-parishioner
rate.
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