Archdiocese Closing Trinity Academy In Caldwell, Other NJ Schools – Caldwells, NJ Patch

CALDWELL, NJ — The Archdiocese of Newark plans to close 10 Catholic schools throughout New Jersey, including Trinity Academy in Caldwell, officials announced Thursday.

All schools will remain active through the end of the school year, with lessons and assignments continuing to be administered via distance learning platforms in compliance with the statewide mandate, the archdiocese stated.

Archdiocese officials said that wheels were put in motion on the closures before the coronavirus crisis began, and the decision is not directly linked to the pandemic.

In addition to Trinity Academy, schools targeted for closure include:

  • Newark – Cristo Rey Newark High School
  • Cresskill – Academy of St. Therese of Lisieux
  • Fair Lawn – St. Anne School
  • Irvington – Good Shepherd Academy
  • East Orange – Our Lady Help of Christians School
  • Springfield – St. James the Apostle School
  • New Providence – The Academy of Our Lady of Peace
  • Union – Holy Spirit School
  • Elizabeth – St. Genevieve School

The Archdiocese of Newark, which serves about 1.3 million Catholic residents of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties, said that “significant enrollment decreases” are making it unsustainable to keep the 10 schools running.

The archdiocese expanded on the reason for the closures in a statement on Thursday:

“Under present circumstances, archdiocesan financial support to its Catholic elementary schools would total approximately $80 million in the next five years. Unsustainable levels of subsidy, a result of significant enrollment decreases, have affected the continued operational standing of a number of school communities. Continued financial support at this level would diminish the archdiocese’s ability to strategically reinvest in strengthening Catholic education overall. The decision to pursue closure for these school communities was made after considerable review and planning by the Archdiocese of Newark’s FY’20 Schools Strategy Committee, comprised of religious and lay professionals, which included education experts with in-depth knowledge of Catholic education and the local situation. Factors considered by the Schools Strategy Committee in assessing the situation at these schools included declining enrollment numbers and increasing and unsustainable dependence on archdiocesan funding over time. Consideration also was given to geographic locations and proximity to nearby matched archdiocesan schools that will accommodate new students.”

Here’s what will happen to the properties, according to the archdiocese:

“School building properties are owned by the local parishes with which schools are affiliated. Any financial benefit realized from any future rental or sale of a school building would remain at the parish level or would be reinvested to strengthen the schools program and help support the continuation of Catholic education. Any school funds available following closure will remain with the affiliated parish.”

Due to continued coronavirus-related restrictions on gatherings and the statewide closure of school buildings, the archdiocese was unable to notify faculty and staff of the decision in person. However, school communities and staff received notifications this week via videoconferencing and emailed letters, the archdiocese stated.

Church leaders mourned the closures, but said they were necessary.

“I want to acknowledge the pain experienced by the students and their families, teachers, staff, administrators, pastors, and parishioners, and all who are affected by these difficult decisions,” Cardinal Joseph Tobin said.

Tobin said students will be placed into nearby archdiocesan schools, which are fully prepared to accommodate them.

“This is a crucial time for the sustainability and success of our Catholic schools,” Tobin said. “They continue to be a priority for the Archdiocese of Newark. However, the archdiocese could not ignore the dual threats of declining enrollment and rapidly increased subsidies that were necessary to sustain every school.”

Barbara Dolan, acting superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Newark, said it was an “incredibly sad time for our school communities,” especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

“Every effort will be made to find a Catholic school for those families interested in continuing to provide a Catholic education for their children in the next academic year,” Dolan said.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

The Newark Archdiocese said that a “comprehensive support effort,” including the distribution of a Parent and Student Support Guide and other resources for the school community, will begin in May and continue in the coming months.

Resources include:

  • For families and students transitioning to new archdiocesan school communities in the upcoming academic year, the Archdiocese will provide special tuition assistance for the first year, where appropriate, in addition to educational resources to help families make decisions for their students’ continued Catholic education.
  • Taking into consideration the specific needs of some families with students with disabilities, the Archdiocese has developed additional resources to help those families understand the levels of support that new Catholic school communities will provide in comparison to the services offered at their former schools.
  • For affected principals, teachers, and staff, the Archdiocese has partnered with a career services organization to support their search for new opportunities inside or outside of the Archdiocese.
  • The Archdiocese will provide financial and logistical support to parishes, including consideration for students who attend religious education classes in closing school buildings.
  • The Archdiocese will make available to parents and families its principals and schools strategy team members to explain processes related to the closure of schools and continuing their education at another Catholic school community (e.g., registration, records transfer).

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