Meeting discusses changes to area school system

APPLETON - Dozens of parents packed the Grand Meridian in Appleton Tuesday night, to express their concerns with changes coming to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System.

Last week, the board of directors voted to go from four elementary schools to two.

The change will take place in the fall of 2014.

St. Francis Xavier will be the only elementary school, but it will be served by two campuses.

Those sites currently house St. Pius X and St. Thomas More Elementary Schools.

And come 2014, the doors of Catholic Central and St. Bernadette Elementary Schools will close. School officials say that will ultimately impact around 120 students.

That includes Kara Schneider's 2 children.

"To limit the student body based on your geographical location or your economic situation, your family's income, really goes against the Catholic faith based education," Schneider said.

Schneider was among more than 100 parents who voiced their concerns at a question and answer session Tuesday night.

With the remaining schools, St. Pius X and St. Thomas More Elementary Schools on the north side of town, commuting is a big concern.

"There are families on campus at St. Bernadette's that come from Sherwood, that come from Kimberly, that come from Little Chute, Menasha," Schneider said. "When you have working parents, and they have another 20 minute drive each way, so 40 minutes, that's a significant impact."

Class size and the unknowns also worry parents.

"A lot of parents are concerned for a good reason," explained parent of a St. Thomas More student Scott Schneider. "We have to put the kids first and that is what we're here for. You know, what's happening to our Catholic school system? It's downsizing and that's the fact of it, and it's unfortunate."

"We're not looking for a quick fix for a year or two," explained Deacon Ray DuBois. "We're looking for a financial model that's going to give us 15, 30, 45 years down the road."

DuBois says he understands the parents' concerns and hopes to iron out the issues over the next 18 months. However, he says it's the most efficient and economically sustainable way to go.

He estimates the system will save around $400,000 in the first year.

"We're looking for, on educationally excellent learning situation for our students," DuBois said. "Number two, it needs to be a financially sustainable model over time."

DuBois says he'll continue to meet with parents and staff during the transition. As for how many jobs this could impact, he says that's still being worked out.

DuBois said during the meeting the change could drop enrollment by 20 percent.

However, he expects the long-term benefits to make up for the initial loss.