Declining enrollment and falling revenues threaten to shutter St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. The Park Falls community is banding together to keep the 92-year-old institution open in 2014-15. (Submitted file photo)
The parish council of St. Anthony of Padua, Park Falls, has recommended the parish’s Catholic school be closed for one year for restructuring.
The nearly century-old school, which has been struggling with financial problems for several years, has been campaigning for $1 million in donations to cover debts, running costs and infrastructure updates.
After meeting last week and hearing recommendations from the education and finance committees, the parish council recommended the school close for one year for restructuring, “which shall include an organizational restructuring and a short-term and a long-term plan to reopen the school.”
The council also recommended keeping the day care open.
Fr. Shaji Pazhukkathara, parochial administrator of the parish and school, will take the recommendation to Bishop James P. Powers and the corporate board for the final decision.
“We may not have to implement this decision if we receive sufficient funding in time. If we do not, our plan is to reopen again as soon as possible,” council members commented.
