SPRINGFIELD — St. Joseph School, a 135-year-old fixture on Springfield's near north side, will close at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois gave his official permission to discontinue operation of the school in a March 5 letter to Msgr. Thomas Holinga, pastor of St. Joseph Parish.
"The diocese has been blessed for many years by the presence of St. Joseph School on the north end of Springfield," Bishop Paprocki wrote. "We cannot begin to imagine or calculate the lives that have been formed and molded in the Catholic life because of St. Joseph School. While the closure of any institution of this caliber is regrettable, I encourage you to meet this experience with renewed hope and a sense of pride in what you have been able to accomplish, always with God's grace."
St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1875 and the first school building was erected two years later. Ursuline Sisters began staffing the classrooms in 1892. During the 1960s, as many as 500 or more children attended.
The school at one time experienced financial problems, "but these had turned around through budget cuts and increased parish giving," Msgr. Holinga said.
"The real red flag was decreasing enrollment," he said. "We have only four students in kindergarten this year — and only two for next year. This is not sustainable for the school."
Student population at St. Joseph dipped from 196 students in 2000 to 125 in 2010; 98 students currently are enrolled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
"Certainly we have fallen victim to changing neighborhood demographics and tough economic times," Msgr. Holinga said. "The parish supported the school as long as possible, but eventually a decision had to be made to do what is best for our students and families."
In November 2011, the parish surveyed parents about possible options for the school. Shortly afterward, school officials, the school board and parish finance council decided to seek permission to cease operation and investigate collaboration with area Catholic schools "to make the transition as orderly as possible," said Msgr. Holinga.
On Thursday, March 8, principal Linda Tusek began notifying parents about Bishop Paprocki's official permission to close the school at the end of the academic year.
The letter noted that the school's closing Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, with Bishop Paprocki as celebrant. Pastors and school principals from all of Springfield's Catholic schools are expected to attend.
St. Joseph's students will have a variety of options for the fall semester in 2012. The parish has come to collaborative agreements with St. Agnes and Cathedral grade schools in Springfield to share academic resources, sacramental preparation, spiritual programs and athletics.
"For instance, St. Agnes School will reserve at least one seat on the student council for students from St. Joseph, and a representative from St. Joseph Parish will be included on the school board," Msgr. Holinga said. "Students from St. Joseph who attend St. Agnes will be able to wear their own school uniforms."
Msgr. Holinga said the agreement with Cathedral School will include not only academic programs and resources, but also the use of the St. Joseph gymnasium for programs, concerts and athletic events. Cathedral has no gymnasium on its own school campus.
No decisions have been made about use of other school buildings, Msgr. Holinga said.
About 30 St. Joseph students have already registered at St. Agnes for the next school year. About 10 families will opt to send students to Cathedral. Others have registered or plan to register at St. Aloysius, Blessed Sacrament and Little Flower.
"In a sense, we are collaborating with all our area Catholic Schools because St. Joseph Parish will be making contributions toward the actual cost of educating students," Msgr. Holinga said. "In addition the parish will continue to offer tuition assistance to families who apply and qualify."
Msgr. Holinga said the ongoing financial support is a sign of the parish's continued commitment to students. "St. Joseph Parish will not abandon its responsibility for Catholic education," he said.