Another Roman Catholic elementary school is closing in June, leaving four in the Johnstown area.
Families connected with St. Patrick School in the city’s Moxham section now are coping with where to send their children next year.
“It’s a sad, sad thing,” said Charlotte Kleman, whose son will graduate in June but whose daughter has two years to go.
Citing declining enrollments and poor economic conditions, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced plans to close St. Patrick School via a written statement released Thursday.
“In a spirit of prayer and openness and after much discussion, a decision was made to close ... the school,” Sister Donna Marie Leiden said in the statement.
Leiden, director of education for the diocese, said the closure was decided Tuesday at a meeting of the St. Patrick parish council, school council and diocese education officials.
“All present were in agreement that the parish and the school community have worked hard over the years to maintain the school,” Leiden said in announcing the closure.
“This is not the first time that the closing of St. Patrick’s school hasbeen considered,” Leiden said in her statement.
“Our study shows that a steady decline in enrollment and these difficult economic times cause us to arrive at this decision.”
Diocese officials declined further comment when contacted Thursday.
Spokesman Rob Egan has left his job, and the diocese has not hired a replacement, a diocese spokesman said.
The reaction from city officials was one of regret.
Councilwoman Ann Wilson, whose three children previously attended the school, said the closure will have widespread impact.
“It’s going to be a loss not just for the immediate St. Patrick community, but for the entire area,” she said.
Diocese officials began taking a close look at all of Greater Johnstown’s Roman Catholic elementary schools last winter.
West End Catholic, which closed in June, left five schools: St. Andrew and Cathedral Catholic in Upper Yoder Township; St. Benedict in Geistown; Our Mother of Sorrows in Westmont; and St. Patrick.
Egan said at the time that reviewing the elementary schools would be “an ongoing process.”
“We all expected the school to close, but it’s still a really sad thing, and it’s still a shock,” Kleman said.
At the high school level, Bishop Guilfoyle in Altoona, Bishop McCort in Johnstown and Bishop Carroll in Ebensburg have become independent, nonprofit corporations.
Diocese officials said the St. Patrick pupils will be assimilated into the four remaining schools.
“We feel confident that the four remaining schools in the Johnstown area have the capability to enroll all of the students presently attending St. Patrick’s School,” Leiden said.
“Every attempt will be made to help the students and the families with their transition.”
“The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is committed to the continuance of Catholic education in the Johnstown area and will work with the stakeholders in Johnstown to adopt a proactive plan for the implementation of this vision,” she said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
t. Patrick School at 625 Park Ave. in Johnstown’s Moxham neighborhood is scheduled to close in June. St. Patrick Church is at right. Todd Berkey
Discussion
St. Patrick School to shut doors
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
