Dear Archbishop José H. Gomez and Sr. Mary Elizabeth Galt,

It is with a heavy heart that we received the news on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, from Superintendent Kevin Baxter that the Archdiocese made the decision to close the doors of Our Lady Help of Christians School this June. While citing that the Archdiocese could no longer afford to fund the school, Superintendent Baxter stated that the decision had been made and that there was no process to appeal the decision.

This was the first time we were made aware that the school was being considered for closure. Various parents asked what it would take to keep the doors of the school open. The only response to us was that the decision was final and that at this point there was nothing further that could be discussed to keep the school open as it would be impossible for us to raise the amount of money required to keep the doors open.

Amidst the challenges that the school has faced over the past few years, we have seen the concrete changes by the Parish priests who brought in a new principal, teachers, and assistants. These leaders stepped up to the plate at a time of crisis as the school had been left in shambles through mismanagement from the previous school administration that drove enrollment down to 32 students!

The new school administration has had to face the challenges of picking up the pieces and rebuilding the school’s foundation. Through their hard work, the principal, teachers, and assistants have increased student enrollment by 100, ensured our children a quality Catholic education, and created a community of Love and Respect. There are many new parents who have joined our community because we believed in the school’s mission and vision. It is this light that illuminates our hope that we can continue to rebuild from the rubble and continue to provide our children with the education that will bring them a better tomorrow.

Superintendent Baxter cites the following on the Department of Catholic School’s webpage as his opening message:

“Will it be said of our generation that we presided over the demise of the most effective and important resource for evangelization in the history of the Church in the United States? Will it be said of our generation that we lacked the resolve to preserve national treasures built upon the sacrifice of untold millions? Will it be said of our generation that we abandoned these powerful instruments of justice that provide educational opportunity and hope for families otherwise trapped in poverty? Surely not. Instead, when the story of Catholic schools is written, historians will look back on our age and marvel that against great odds, we changed the ending.” (Making God Known, Loved and Served, University of Notre Dame, 2006 pg. 19)

We now turn to you to answer these questions at a time when we are faced with the demise of our school.  At this time, we urge you to keep our doors open and to engage us as parents in the next steps moving forward. We are confident that together we have the determination to not only save our school but to make it thrive.  

Respectfully,

Our Lady Help of Christians Parents and Community Supporters