Our Lady of Lourdes School to remain open
PISCATAWAY – Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski accepted a plan developed by parishioners at Our Lady Lourdes Parish, Milltown, to keep the school open for the 2006-2007 academic year.
The plan was initially created in two weeks after parents of students were informed of the parish and school’s precarious financial situation. The recovery plan was formulated with input from more than 200 of the school’s supporters, including parents of students, alumni of the school and parishioners who organized themselves into various committees to address the school’s needs including finance, tuition, management and organizational structure, enrollment, retention, curriculum, marketing, development and fundraising, religious education and stewardship.
Upon his initial review, Bishop Bootkoski had several concerns and asked for additional information. Satisfied with the parish’s response, he agreed to keep the school open for another year.
The plan calls for an increase in tuition from $3,150 to $3,500 and an increase in fundraising. The plan’s developers do not project an increase in enrollment for the upcoming school year. Of the 160 students eligible for re-enrollment, 149 students are committed to attending Our Lady of Lourdes School next year.
Thomas G. Toolan, director of finance for the diocese said the school’s supporters did a “tremendous job” in developing the plan.
Explaing that the parish was asked to formulate a plan for not just the school but the parish, Toolan noted that the parish has already experienced a 10 to 25 percent increase in its weekend offertory collection. The parish is expected to reintroduce a stewardship program in September.
“We’ll be working with them on a monthly basis to make sure what is expected to happen does happen. We’ll be there during the process,” Toolan said.
In a letter to parents, the school’s principal wrote that she had received “fantastic news” from the diocese. The revitalization plan “will help make our school better than ever and offer a vital place for Catholic education for many years to come,” wrote Little Servant Sister of the Immaculate Conception Maria Gruszka.
She called on parents to “treasure this opportunity” to keep the school open.
Ellen Ayoub, diocesan schools’ superintendent, said she was impressed with the way the parents of the students and the parishioners worked together to develop the plan. “From the minute they were informed of their problem, they took ownership and came together to come up with a solution,” she said.
“They worked very hard on the plan, and we want them to succeed. We’ll be working with them, not just on the finances but also on the curricular aspects, the marketing and establishing a school council. It should be exciting.”
Because the school’s tuition was increased after parents signed contracts for the upcoming school year, the diocese is extending the deadline to apply for financial assistance to defray tuition costs for next year. Families of Our Lady of Lourdes School students have until May 19 to apply for financial assistance. Application forms are available at the school’s office or on the CSO website.
— Kathleen Ogle
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law