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School’s out forever

Whenever I come home from college, I easily fall back into the social life I had before I left. It’s mostly based around St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, which I attended from the ages of 4 to 16, and the associated St. Elizabeth-St. Joseph Catholic School, which I attended for much of that time. My parents still go to the church and are friends with some of the parishioners, many of whom they know as my classmates’ parents. I’ve been kept in the loop about what’s going on at the church and school.

On Tuesday night, I was at my friend’s house when his mom came with bad news. The pastor had just announced at a meeting that this year would be the last for St. Elizabeth-St. Joseph Catholic School. The school’s home page now has nothing but a link to a letter by the the pastor. He explains how the archdiocese can no longer afford to subsidize the school, and with enrollment down 70% since the 2003-04 year, the school will be about $1.3 million in debt when it closes its doors for the last time.

Even though I’m now a cranky atheist who complains about everything, I can’t help but get sentimental. I was a student at St. Elizabeth of Hungary (as the school was known until recently) from kindergarten through eighth grade—formative years indeed. Many of my friends, including most of the people I spend time with when I’m home and some others I see less often, were my classmates at St. E’s. I contributed to the school’s time capsule that was to be opened this year. I spoke at our graduation. And it wasn’t that long ago; I started this web site while I was a student there.

I’ve been trying to dig up some news articles to get some more insight about the closing. The archdiocese has an article that provides some context. A local news station’s article (with an unrelated stock photo) interviewed some students’ parents, including a Mr. Chaiken, who blamed the closing on the church’s previous pastor:

“The previous priest that was here got rid of a long-time, popular principal,” Chaiken said. “She was here 25 years or more, everything was running great.”

…except that she was using the school’s money for her own purposes.

This was a big controversy a few years ago. The then-pastor accused the then-principal of using the school’s money for her own purposes, but neither of them would show the public that they were right. Parishioners and parents were left to pick sides based on their own prejudices and suspicions. They tore each other apart. Basically, it was a massive farce all around that could have easily been prevented if everyone hadn’t been such an idiot.

Anyway, the pastor turned out to be right, and the principal (who had quit by then) apologized in writing. Apparently some people still have their heads up their asses and think she didn’t do anything wrong even though she admitted to it. I wonder how many other parishioners are still living in this fantasy world of Mr. Chaiken’s. I suspect that most of them have long since taken their worshiping elsewhere.

As you might imagine, the damage had been done. Over the next few years, more and more parents pulled their kids out of the school. Then the economy went kablooie, accelerating the trend until the school became a shadow of its former self. Now we have the end of St. Elizabeth’s. The school has coexisted with the church for 49 years; without it, the church will never be the same.

So, you see, my rosy memories have been tarnished a bit. I was saddened to find out that the financial scandal had become a nail in the school’s coffin, but I hope this teaches everyone a lesson: honesty is the best policy. Without openness, there is drama, which can only lead to bad things.

In slightly better news, an environmental project at my university is in the running to win $5,000, and you can help. They’re in second place right now. All you have to do is sign up and use your three votes to help put Neutral Gator ahead. Voting ends on Monday.

Pictures of old photos being held up in the locations where they were taken: Looking at the Past. (Via J-Walk Blog)

And finally, a list: 16 Anti-Theft Gadgets and Designs to Deter Thieves. Wait, Nick Cannon writes about this stuff? (Via Wise Bread)