Enrollment down, Our Lady of Victory to close

“As a result of further declining school enrollment numbers, Our Lady of Victory (OLV) pastoral council reconsidered its earlier decision and has now recommended to the diocesan school board that Our Lady of Victory School close at the end of this academic year,” the Diocese announced. “That recommendation was forwarded to Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, who concurred.”

Back in March, enrollment for the 2009-’10 school year was projected to be about 88 students. Recently however, that projection has dropped to approximately 72 students. Over the past five years, enrollment has fallen 30 percent.

Families sad
This news was crushing to parents Coleen Mantello, Sue Wood and Frank Klinowski, who sat outside OLV parish May 7 while their children ran around playing. The words “shock,” “disbelief,” “anger,” and ‘betrayal” resonated between the three of them.

“We’ve worked so hard to keep this school open,” said Mrs. Mantello. “Everyone has been very active and so supportive and has just done a great job contributing.”

OLV parish has contributed $120,000 to the school annually, more in recent years. In March, the hard work seemed to have paid off.

“We thought we had already been through this with our efforts,” said Mrs. Wood. “We thought the worst was over, and then they tell us this.”

According to the news release, the average projected class size for next year would be 10 students. Only 29 total students are currently registered for Kindergarten through grade four.

Among those families, emotions run high.

“My son cried himself to sleep,” said Mr. Klinowski, the parent of a fourth-grader. “I was really sad, too,” he continued.

Happy memories
Mrs. Wood had to fight back tears as she spoke about her affection for the school.

“The school is great, the teachers are great, and the families are great,” she said. “I just can’t get past this — the way it happened, and what will happen.”

According to Sister Jane, some families have been looking to other area Catholic schools such as St. Jude’s in Wynantskill and St. Augustine’s in Troy, while others might send their children to public schools.

Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Mantello and Mr. Klinowski were not sure what they were going to do next.

School principal Karen Snyder spoke with a somber tone when discussing the news.

“It’s a very sad time,” she said. “It’s a challenge, but we all have to be open to change and hopefully Catholic schools will pull together and be stronger. That’s what’s needed.”

Sister Jane offered help for the families and faculty of OLV.

“We will work with the families to make sure they have an opportunity for a Catholic education and we will work with the faculty to help with any assistance they need in finding other positions,” she said.

Added Mrs. Snyder: “My heart is with everyone here.”