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Catholic school in Mantua to close this year: Enrollment at St. Joseph cited

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March 30, 2010

 

 

St. Joseph School in Mantua will close at the end of the current school year.

The decision will leave Portage County with only two remaining Catholic elementary schools.  

Declining enrollment was a major factor in the decision, according to the Diocese of Youngstown. In mid-March, only 59 students in kindergarten through eighth grade registered for the 2010-2011 school year.  

The Rev. Michael Garvey, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, informed parents of the decision by letter on Friday and during weekend Masses this past weekend.

St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1864 and the school opened in 1962. The staff includes Principal Beth Frank, seven teachers and several part-time aides.  

In announcing the closing of the school, Garvey acknowledged that “St. Joseph School has been an important part of the Catholic communities of northern Portage County for almost 50 years.  It has remained an outstanding school to this day.”

There will be a parent information night on April 15. 

Garvey thanked the parents, professional staff members and parishioners for their support of the school since it opened in 1962.  

Msgr. Siffrin, Vicar General of the Diocese of Youngstown, said, “It is evident that the St. Joseph Parish community has made extraordinary efforts to support and maintain the school despite declining enrollment.”  

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the many priests, religious, lay men and women who staffed the school over these many years, and the countless families who entrusted their children to St. Joseph School.  

Remaining Catholic schools in Portage County are St. Joseph School in Randolph and St. Patrick School in Kent. Immaculate Conception School closed at the end of the school year in 2004 with only 54 students registered for the following school year. That school had been open for more than 120 years.

For more information, contact Dr. Skube, Office of Catholic Schools, 330-744-8451.

 




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 10 Total Comments
10.
    Posted by marie1014 March 30, 2010
sjs in Manuta is also a wonderful school and I imagine all of the parents and staff hope and pray that no other cath. school has the same problems we had,

9.
    Posted by Beatina March 30, 2010
St. Joseph Randolph is a wonderful school. I would love to see the enrollment increase! :)

8.
    Posted by 5Klines March 30, 2010
It's very sad to see all of these schools struggling. I know our St. Joe's Randolph has seen a decrease in enrollment over the last couple of years. I'm amazed at the enrollment of the church, yet there are often very few church families that send their kids to the school. I don't understand why! My daughter has gotten a better education with more foundation at St. Joe's that my son does at his public middle school.

7.
    Posted by marie1014 March 30, 2010
from what I understand the ox roast will continue

6.
    Posted by marie1014 March 30, 2010
This is a sad day in Mantua, as part of the church and school family from the day the school opened, I know that this was a very difficult decision and a sad sign of the times, God bless all of the staff, and families that are losing a very important part of their lives. I hope that we can get our alumni together for a reunion. Good luck and thank you for all the years of teaching and friendship,,, an alumni and parent of an alumni....

5.
    Posted by gtarchitects2002 March 30, 2010
OH NO DOES THIS MEAN THAT THE OX ROAST WILL NOT GO ON OR WILL THEY KEEP HAVING IT. I HOPE THEY KEEP HAVING IT. MY FAMILY LOVES THE OX ROAST AND THE FOOD IS GREAT ALONG WITH THE TRUCK AND TRACTOR PULLS. THIS IS THE BEST LITTLE COMMUNITY FAIR AROUND. SO SAD TO SEE THE SCHOOL CLOSING.

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