MPB closing Q&A
Content
Most Precious Blood
Roman Catholic Church
32-23 36th Street
Long Island City, N.Y. 11106
(718) 278-3337
The Closing of Most Precious Blood School
Eight Key Questions Posed at the Parent Meeting on January 14, 2015:
1.
Why didn't we parents and teachers hear about the decision to close the school
prior to January 9, 2015?
The decision to close a school is painful for everyone involved. Throughout
these past weeks, parents at MPB have shown a tremendous and laudable
pride and loyalty toward their school. However, parishes with schools have
seen many instances in which parents move their children in times of trouble,
believing it is in the best interest of their children to find stability as soon as
possible. Enrollment figures at MPB suggest that a loss of even a few students
a year ago would have made the school closure even more imminent. The very
difficult decision to withhold certain financial information was made to allow
time to analyze potential viable options. We will likely never know if it was the
correct decision to withhold this information, but the decision was made after
careful thought and in good faith.
2.
The pastor’s letter indicated that there are only 191 students in the Catholic
school. Why weren’t the youngsters in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
classes and nursing school program included?
Declining enrollment is a major factor in the decision to close the school. In the
Catholic school program, MPB has lost twenty students in the last year alone.
The decline is even more dramatic when one looks at the trends over the past
eight years. In September 2008, K through 8 enrollment was 305. UPK is not part
of Catholic education, even if it sometimes serves as a feeder to Catholic
Kindergarten. UPK is public education using Catholic school space and
personnel because these resources are not available elsewhere. Nursery
programs are a service of a Catholic parish to local families, but they are also
not Catholic education in the strict sense.
The retention of 36%—40% of the UPK children for the Kindergarten program
does not offset the loss of students in the upper grades. Even if MPB School
continues to maintain this rate of retention for the incoming Kindergarten classes
in the coming years, the evidence indicates that many of these children complete
their elementary level education elsewhere.
We should note that there is no guarantee that UPK will be a permanent source
of enrollment, as educational policy in New York City and New York State
continues to evolve.
3.
Why are we closing a school that is running without a deficit?
We need to distinguish the operational budget from the capital expense budget.
The school’s operational expenses (which include staff and faculty salaries,
insurance, educational materials, utilities, etc.) do not include any significant
capital needs (new roof, boilers, parapet replacement, etc.) since they are
normally considered in the overall parish budget.
4.
Is the school being sacrificed for the needed repairs on the church building?
Both the school building and the church building are in need of major repairs.
The school alone requires a new roof, window replacements, boiler replacement
and masonry throughout the structure is estimated at a minimum of $2.55 million.
The church is collapsing on itself, requiring repairs of at least $3.9 million.
The school has a tremendous legacy as an arm of Most Precious Blood Parish in
forming children academically and spiritually for 57 years. Like other Catholic
institutions, it exists primarily to lead Catholics and others to be formed by the
gospel and worship God through Jesus and his Church. MPB church is the
sacred place set aside for worship of God in this community. At this time, the
Parish of Most Precious Blood lacks the financial resources to support the school.
In addition, it needs the school building as a resource for funding essential
repairs so that the parish may continue into the future to serve families and other
faithful in Long Island City.
5.
Why can’t the parking lot be sold or leased to generate income?
There is a general diocesan policy not to sell any parish property that is
contiguous with a church campus. Even a ground lease of the parking lot would
mean surrendering a valuable resource on which the parish depends for weekend
Masses, funerals, weddings and other activities that are part of its mission. Were
the parking lot to be leased to, say, an apartment building and/or convenience
store, such a lessee could alter the character of the community and adversely
impact parish activities.
6.
Is there a signed contract to lease the school building?
No contract has been signed with any outside entity. However, Fr. Krlis and the
diocese have received inquiries from parties interested in leasing the school
building. We are hopeful that the building can be leased so that income can be
made to fund capital repairs and parish activities, including those that benefit
children and youth.
2
7.
Would it not be possible to launch an aggressive fundraising campaign?
When parishes announced in the past that their parochial schools would close
unless a set amount of dollars was raised, the fundraising efforts—while often
praiseworthy—always fell significantly short of the targeted goal. MPB’s capital
expense needs are far greater than those previous situations. Furthermore, this
strategy would not address the ongoing declining trends in K through 8
enrollment.
8.
Has the parish and the diocese given up on educating our children in a Catholic
school?
Most Precious Blood Parish and the Diocese of Brooklyn are committed to
placing the children of those families wishing to remain in Catholic education at
neighboring Catholic schools. The principals of St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy,
Immaculate Conception School, St. Francis of Assisi School, and St. Sebastian’s
School have assured the parish that they are prepared to receive families that
wish to transfer their children to the parochial school or academy of their choice.
Open House Schedule (or by appointment)
St. Francis of Assisi School: Sunday, January 25, after the 11:00 am Mass,
12:30-1:30 pm [718-726-9405]
St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy: Monday through Friday, January 26—30,
9:00 am—11:00 am [718-728-0724]
Immaculate Conception School: Monday through Friday, January 26—30,
8:30 am—10:30 am [718-728-1969]
St. Sebastian’s School: Tuesday and Thursday, January 27 and 29, 9:00
am—10:30 am [718-429-1982]
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Trust has determined to provide every child from
MPB School with a scholarship of up to $500 to cover registration costs and any
differential in the tuition between MPB School and the receiving school/academy
for a full school year.
*
A final question: Where is your faith? Aren’t all things possible with God?
Yes, with God, all things are possible. But faith is not just about asking for things
from God, it also means listening to God’s response. Neither is it simply wishful
thinking. Faith makes demands on us, requires sacrifices from us, and challenges
us to take risks, even to letting go sometimes of what we hold dear. But faith tells
us that Jesus walks with us through it all. It also reminds us that after pain and
loss, after the Cross, comes the Resurrection.
3
Roman Catholic Church
32-23 36th Street
Long Island City, N.Y. 11106
(718) 278-3337
The Closing of Most Precious Blood School
Eight Key Questions Posed at the Parent Meeting on January 14, 2015:
1.
Why didn't we parents and teachers hear about the decision to close the school
prior to January 9, 2015?
The decision to close a school is painful for everyone involved. Throughout
these past weeks, parents at MPB have shown a tremendous and laudable
pride and loyalty toward their school. However, parishes with schools have
seen many instances in which parents move their children in times of trouble,
believing it is in the best interest of their children to find stability as soon as
possible. Enrollment figures at MPB suggest that a loss of even a few students
a year ago would have made the school closure even more imminent. The very
difficult decision to withhold certain financial information was made to allow
time to analyze potential viable options. We will likely never know if it was the
correct decision to withhold this information, but the decision was made after
careful thought and in good faith.
2.
The pastor’s letter indicated that there are only 191 students in the Catholic
school. Why weren’t the youngsters in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
classes and nursing school program included?
Declining enrollment is a major factor in the decision to close the school. In the
Catholic school program, MPB has lost twenty students in the last year alone.
The decline is even more dramatic when one looks at the trends over the past
eight years. In September 2008, K through 8 enrollment was 305. UPK is not part
of Catholic education, even if it sometimes serves as a feeder to Catholic
Kindergarten. UPK is public education using Catholic school space and
personnel because these resources are not available elsewhere. Nursery
programs are a service of a Catholic parish to local families, but they are also
not Catholic education in the strict sense.
The retention of 36%—40% of the UPK children for the Kindergarten program
does not offset the loss of students in the upper grades. Even if MPB School
continues to maintain this rate of retention for the incoming Kindergarten classes
in the coming years, the evidence indicates that many of these children complete
their elementary level education elsewhere.
We should note that there is no guarantee that UPK will be a permanent source
of enrollment, as educational policy in New York City and New York State
continues to evolve.
3.
Why are we closing a school that is running without a deficit?
We need to distinguish the operational budget from the capital expense budget.
The school’s operational expenses (which include staff and faculty salaries,
insurance, educational materials, utilities, etc.) do not include any significant
capital needs (new roof, boilers, parapet replacement, etc.) since they are
normally considered in the overall parish budget.
4.
Is the school being sacrificed for the needed repairs on the church building?
Both the school building and the church building are in need of major repairs.
The school alone requires a new roof, window replacements, boiler replacement
and masonry throughout the structure is estimated at a minimum of $2.55 million.
The church is collapsing on itself, requiring repairs of at least $3.9 million.
The school has a tremendous legacy as an arm of Most Precious Blood Parish in
forming children academically and spiritually for 57 years. Like other Catholic
institutions, it exists primarily to lead Catholics and others to be formed by the
gospel and worship God through Jesus and his Church. MPB church is the
sacred place set aside for worship of God in this community. At this time, the
Parish of Most Precious Blood lacks the financial resources to support the school.
In addition, it needs the school building as a resource for funding essential
repairs so that the parish may continue into the future to serve families and other
faithful in Long Island City.
5.
Why can’t the parking lot be sold or leased to generate income?
There is a general diocesan policy not to sell any parish property that is
contiguous with a church campus. Even a ground lease of the parking lot would
mean surrendering a valuable resource on which the parish depends for weekend
Masses, funerals, weddings and other activities that are part of its mission. Were
the parking lot to be leased to, say, an apartment building and/or convenience
store, such a lessee could alter the character of the community and adversely
impact parish activities.
6.
Is there a signed contract to lease the school building?
No contract has been signed with any outside entity. However, Fr. Krlis and the
diocese have received inquiries from parties interested in leasing the school
building. We are hopeful that the building can be leased so that income can be
made to fund capital repairs and parish activities, including those that benefit
children and youth.
2
7.
Would it not be possible to launch an aggressive fundraising campaign?
When parishes announced in the past that their parochial schools would close
unless a set amount of dollars was raised, the fundraising efforts—while often
praiseworthy—always fell significantly short of the targeted goal. MPB’s capital
expense needs are far greater than those previous situations. Furthermore, this
strategy would not address the ongoing declining trends in K through 8
enrollment.
8.
Has the parish and the diocese given up on educating our children in a Catholic
school?
Most Precious Blood Parish and the Diocese of Brooklyn are committed to
placing the children of those families wishing to remain in Catholic education at
neighboring Catholic schools. The principals of St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy,
Immaculate Conception School, St. Francis of Assisi School, and St. Sebastian’s
School have assured the parish that they are prepared to receive families that
wish to transfer their children to the parochial school or academy of their choice.
Open House Schedule (or by appointment)
St. Francis of Assisi School: Sunday, January 25, after the 11:00 am Mass,
12:30-1:30 pm [718-726-9405]
St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy: Monday through Friday, January 26—30,
9:00 am—11:00 am [718-728-0724]
Immaculate Conception School: Monday through Friday, January 26—30,
8:30 am—10:30 am [718-728-1969]
St. Sebastian’s School: Tuesday and Thursday, January 27 and 29, 9:00
am—10:30 am [718-429-1982]
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Trust has determined to provide every child from
MPB School with a scholarship of up to $500 to cover registration costs and any
differential in the tuition between MPB School and the receiving school/academy
for a full school year.
*
A final question: Where is your faith? Aren’t all things possible with God?
Yes, with God, all things are possible. But faith is not just about asking for things
from God, it also means listening to God’s response. Neither is it simply wishful
thinking. Faith makes demands on us, requires sacrifices from us, and challenges
us to take risks, even to letting go sometimes of what we hold dear. But faith tells
us that Jesus walks with us through it all. It also reminds us that after pain and
loss, after the Cross, comes the Resurrection.
3
