Parents received an email from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette shortly after 12 o’clock on Friday. The email stated that because of plummeting enrollment Trinity Catholic Elementary School would not remain open for the next academic school year.
One parent says school Principal Dr. Carolyn O’Connell should be replaced. Jason Willis, has a seventh grader at the school he said since Dr. O’Connell has been the principal, Trinity has lost 150 students. Willis said he is sure that if the school changes its administration, parents who have taken kids out of the school will return.
Parents say they weren’t made aware of the school’s financial troubles until January 2015.
When the news broke Willis said they were assured that administration would do everything possible to keep the school open. Instead, Willis said nothing was done, the school opened enrollment until March 25th 2015. Willis said the issue was never announced to the members at church.
Parents were told that the school needed 170 students to register before March 25th in order for it to remain open and only 127 students registered which prompted the Diocese to close the school down after this academic school year.
Former Trinity teacher Joanne Pratt sent her children to Trinity and now has a grandchild enrolled there. She says proper protocol was not followed and they were mislead by the school leaders. “Two pastors have to make the decision to close a school, open a school. What happened here is Father Rusty was given the authority by the Bishop who, as far as I’m concerned, is deceiving.”
Surrounding catholic schools and area pastors say the displaced students are welcome at their schools. Trinity’s history dates back to 1881 and was one of dozens of schools across the country founded by Saint Katherine Drexel to educate blacks and Native Americans.Information Release from the ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE
The status of Trinity Catholic School in St. Martinville has been an on-going concern for the last several years. Plummeting early enrollment for the 2015-2016 created an emergency situation. Bishop Michael Jarrell urged in the strongest way that every effort and avenue be explored to keep the school open for the 2015-2016 academic year. Towards this end, emergency cuts were planned and the Diocese of Lafayette offered a long term interest free loan. Nonetheless, it was determined that even with extreme measures, registration of at least 170 students by March 25, 2015 was necessary in order for the school to remain open in the Fall. Many have expressed vocal support for the school. Unfortunately, to date, only 127 are enrolled for the Fall. With deepest regret and after prayerful reflection, Bishop Jarrell will allow the school to close at the end of the 2014-20145 academic year.
The long-term viability of the school is simply not demonstrable at this time in measurable and compelling ways. Pastors and principals of neighboring schools have agreed to give special consideration towards the acceptance of Trinity students for the Fall. The Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Lafayette will likewise do its best to help teachers and staff find employment in other Catholic institutions. Trinity Catholic School will forever hold a sacred place in the hearts of all who have benefited by its rich tradition of excellence in Catholic learning and faith formation. Through the intercession of St. Katherine Drexel, we ask the Lord’s compassion, mercy, and blessings upon all impacted by this decision.
All media inquiries are to be made through Msgr. Richard Greene, Diocesan Spokesman.
