Efforts continue to save the historic St. Mary School in Bordentown City.
The historic school’s closing was announced less than a month ago.
A Save St. Mary School page on Facebook had received 1,235 likes as of press time Wednesday. The page went live March 9.
Concurrently online, there were 334 supporters who had signed a petition at www.change.org asking Bishop David O’Connell, Catholic Diocese of Trenton, to meet with the Save St. Mary School Committee of Bordentown.
The committee wants to return St. Mary School to solvency and position it for a sustainable future.
According to the school website, “St. Mary School is part of a faith filled parish community. Through participation in parish life we encourage our students to see themselves as members of God’s family. St. Mary School believes that every child can make a difference and calls its students to actively participate in their church, school, and community.”
Bordentown residents agree, stating that the small school helps city children thrive in a safe, welcoming environment.
A Bordentown City town hall meeting was held last week, sponsored by the committee, and approximately 150 people were in attendance.
The bishop, although invited, was absent.
Many concerned people asked the question, “Why is St. Mary School closing?”
Bordentown City Mayor James Lynch attended the town hall.
”This is indeed a tragedy for the St. Mary’s parish as well as Bordentown City,” Mayor Lynch said. “At the very least, the bishop should have the courtesy to meet with this committee.”
The committee’s plan includes immediate changes in leadership and administration, replacing them with volunteers starting with a new business manager, new admissions director, new advancement director and new school (advisory) board members.
The academic and spiritual leadership would remain in place.
It is a private coeducational day school and serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Founded in 1888, 2013 is the 125th year anniversary of the school’s inception.
So why then the school closure now?
According to the bishop’s statement March 8 announcing the closing of the school, declining enrollment and debt were listed as two reasons.
However, members of the Save St. Mary School grassroots campaign — composed of alumni and parents — have said the bishop promised the community that no school would be closed in 2013 until completion of a comprehensive Diocese-wide school sustainability study in May.
During Bishop O’Connell’s monthly webcast, “The Shepherd’s Voice,” on Feb. 3, he said that no school would be closed without “the awareness of all involved, parents, teachers . . .”
According to Save St. Mary School Committee, “Our fact-finding has revealed a disturbing pattern of manipulation and mismanagement that has clearly contributed to the school’s financial condition.”
The bishop should address these claims.
A school 125 years in the making deserves nothing less.
The bishop’s office has not responded to the Register-News for repeated requests for comment on the Save St. Mary School movement.
The bishop should open dialogue immediately with members of the church who have strong alumni and family ties to the historic school regarding their efforts to save the school.
Instead of speaking with the committee, the bishop’s office has curtly responded: The bishop’s decision is final.
Bishop, communication is needed now and church members of Bordentown City are calling out to the church for help. It is time to answer the people.
The Register-News is in favor of saving St. Mary School.
To learn more about the efforts to save the school from closing, email [email protected].
For information about the St. Mary School, visit www.smsbordentown.org.
– Jen Samuel, managing editor of the Register-News and Windsor-Hights Herald.
