January 22, 2010

 

Dear St. Dominic Families,

 

St. Dominic Church and School have a long history in Kingsport tracing our roots back to 1914 when our 1^st Mass was celebrated by Fr. John Callahan.  By 1940 the cornerstone of our church was dedicated and our school began classes in 1945 in the basement of the church.  By 1951 we had our own school building and our church and school stood side by side until sadly the church was destroyed by fire in 1983 and was rebuilt on our present site.  We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for all who through the years have so faithfully and generously brightened the light of Christ in St. Dominic Parish.

 

Over the last ten years enrollments in Catholic schools have declined nationally by 20% and our parish school has not been immune to this trend.  For example, over the last four years, our K-5 enrollment has declined from 83 students to 52 students.  While our parish provides school subsidy and tuition assistance totaling $377,860, a preference for our CCD religious education has become evident as this ministry has experienced continual growth now serving 279 students.

 

Prayerful consultation has occurred with our parish council, parish finance board, the Diocesan finance officer Deacon David Lucheon, the superintendent of Diocesan schools Dr. Sherry Morgan, Chancellor Deacon Sean Smith, and Bishop Richard Stika.  It has been determined that our parish school is no longer sustainable and cannot justify the ever increasing demands on our parish resources.  It has become evident that in spite of the sadness it causes us, we must close St. Dominic School at the end of this academic year (Pre-K through 5^th grade).

 

As a product of Catholic education and having spent the entirety of his priesthood serving Catholic schools at various times as teacher, chaplain and pastor of a parish with an elementary school, Fr. Nolan fully understands that this difficult decision to close our school is painful to you and your children.  It is also a blow to our faculty, staff and administration who have served so faithfully and dedicated themselves to our students and our school.  A transition team will be assigned and will be working to provide for the needs of our faculty and staff.  We are mindful of all who have benefited or supported our school over its 65 year history.  We ask everyone for their prayers.

 

We are still concerned about providing a Catholic school education to those who seek it.  Therefore, we will be working with St. Mary’s in Johnson City and developing a plan to use our parish bus to transport students to the St. Mary’s campus.  St. Mary’s will be holding events to inform you about their school.  The transition team will provide information soon.

           

Here are the facts that have led to the decision to close St. Dominic’s school.

 

School Subsidy            $270,806

Tuition Assistance      $107,054

Total                     $377,860

 

Over the years we have experienced a continual decline in enrollment,

                             Total students             Catholic          St. Dominic parishioner         Non-Catholic

Currently:       K-5               52                         39                            34                                        13

                        Pre-K            45                          28                            23                                        17

 

coupled with a continual increase in the cost of education per child.

Currently:       $10,702 per child K-5 ($556,523/52 students)

 

While striving to keep tuition affordable,

                                                Catholic tuition                                  Non-Catholic tuition

            1^st child                       $3,460                                                                        $5,140

            2^nd child                      $3,260                                                                        $4,940

            3^rd child                       $3,060                                                                        $4,740

 

this has led to a school subsidy of $270,806, an average of $5,208 per child for each of our 52 K-5 students regardless of whether the child is Catholic or not.  This does not include tuition assistance.

 

Currently in our K-5 school:

19 of 52 students pay no tuition, 3 students pay partial tuition

                        37% of tuition for Catholic students is awarded as tuition assistance

                        46% of tuition for Non-Catholic students is awarded as tuition assistance

 

Currently in our Pre-K program:

                        5 of 45 students pay no tuition, 8 students pay partial tuition

                        38% of tuition for Catholic students is awarded as tuition assistance

                        11% of tuition for Non-Catholic students is awarded as tuition assistance

 

Tuition and fee assistance of $107,054 is awarded to 22 K-5 students (an average of $3,588) and to 13 Pre-K students (an average of $2,163).  

 

There are only 57 students from 36 families in our parish of 832 registered households who choose to attend our school (under 5% of our families).

           

Bishop Stika states:

 

“In the last four years St. Dominic School has experienced a significant decline in the total enrollment of students and the school continues to experience a sizable net loss in revenue.  Based on these facts, it appears that closing St. Dominic School would contribute to a greater scope and quality of parish services and ministries, while at the same time realizing a reduction in operating costs through a more efficient utilization of resources.  While St. Dominic’s pastoral and finance councils and my curial staff have found this recommendation to close the school a necessary one, the decision to close the school has not been an easy one.  I recognize that the closure of St. Dominic School is difficult for school families, faculty, administration and the parish community, all of who have supported the school with loyalty and dedication.  Yet taking good Christian stewardship practices into account, it would be irresponsible to allow the current enrollment and financial conditions to persist further over time.”

We know if you have a child at St. Dominic’s school you will undoubtedly have questions and concerns.  We want you to know we are committed to working with you to do as much as we can to help you in this transition.   Please contact a member of our transition team with any questions or concerns so that they may answer your questions and consider your concerns in their planning and transition process.

 

During this transition period, be assured of our prayers for you and your family.

 

                                                                        Sincerely yours in Our Lord,             

                       

             Signed by Fr. Michael Nolan, Pastor

                              Sherry G, Morgan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

                              Bishop Stika of Knoxville