But my point is other ethnic groups manage to have education for their own children.....and you don't hear about

their woes.....

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

To say that no one had a clue that the school was in trouble is completely baseless and untrue.     Knowing that the person who made such a claim is a pathological liar with no actual truthful knowledge of the Catholic church but who is hell bent on making shameful, baseless attacks to tear down and hurt the Catholic church, the city and county of Schenectady and/or anyone who stands up and points him/her out for the vulgar liar that he/she, one can see that this is just another pathetic nayboob attempt to tear down rather than build up our local community.  

WOW, DV finally made a factual statement.   CONGRATULATIONS !!!!    

Yes someone did know.   It was the pastor of the parish!    DV, you have absolutely no clue whatsoever what it's like for the parents!   You are not and will NEVER be a parent.   I DEFY you to provide EVIDENCE that the parents knew this!!!!!!    Go to the school's website, oh wait, you don't have the intelligence to find the site, so I provide a link here.  See the March 12 letter froom the principal.   Do you know how to read?????    WHERE in that letter does ot provie ONE TEENY CLUE that the school was going to close?????    The meeting referenced as March 5, just ten days, JUST 10 DAYS before parents received a letter saying the school would close!!!!!!!  

And just who is this pathological liar that you reference?

DV, every where--schools, NFP's, businesses, churches, families are struggling financially (well exccept for the millionaire politically connected downtown).  But when it comes to the lives of people, the places that are struggling so severely that they could close, the people whose lives will be affected are informed of the possibility well in advance.   That letter merely talks about "budget issues" and I DEFY you to provide one shred of EVIDENCE that the principal's letter states that the school is most likely going to close!    Herre is an excerpt from that letter, but you can read the whole thing in the linke below it.   DV, if you know how to read, I want you to tell us all how the parents knew about the clossure.  

Quoted Text

We need you, parents, at a special meeting Monday, March 5 at 7:00 PM in our school gymnasium to discuss our 2012-2013 budget and to seek your input. Following the meeting, we will be asking you for a renewed commitment in supporting SJE by enrolling your child for the next school year, especially if you have not already done so. A $100 deposit is needed to bind this commitment by March 9. Please be punctual – babysitting will be available in the library.

Here is the complete letter:    So, DV, where does it say the school will close.   Yes, DV, there IS one person who knew,.   It is the pastor who fled the country rather than face the parents.

http://www.sjesch.com/documents/newsletter.pdf


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Quoted from rachel72

Tuition at St. John's was $3 -$4,000 more per year than St. Helen's down the street. Also, St. Helen's has a tuition assistance program where, if a parent volunteers, they can get money taken off their students bill (a reverse Proctors volunteer method).

St. John's is located on a busy corner and doesn't have much of a playground either.

Location and price I'm sure were factors for its closing which is too bad. I've known many children who went there and claimed it to be a very good school.

Are you saying that St John's tuition was over $7,000 a year?    St Helens runs almost $4,000.

But St John's does have tuition asstance, they have had for many years, the same program St Helen's uses

.

Community supports St. Helen's....in many ways....school is important to that community....

or it may again be political ties???.......Wonder what party GOD belongs to  ????    Hmmmmmmmm..

You would think DVOR had a wife and kids. It is scary he has any knowledge of an elementary school. Why should he? He should stay very far away from them.

Are the facts true about this blogger???....or is it rumor.....if it's true why is he even politically allowed to be in service to them??

Planning/Parks Committees.......I prefer to call them committees......Commissions is too good a word ....

Quoted from mikechristine1

Are you saying that St John's tuition was over $7,000 a year?    St Helens runs almost $4,000.

But St John's does have tuition assistance, they have had for many years, the same program St Helen's uses
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Wish I kept the info from a few years ago, but when I was looking to enroll my children at St. Johns versus St. Helens, St. Helens offered a better volunteer/tuition assistance program AND the tuition for my older child in elementary school was close to $7,000 per year at St. John's. I remember that because that's about what I paid for my SUNY college tuition a little over a decade ago.

It was considerably more expensive at St Johns.

I am a parent of two St John's students. First, tuition is not $7,000. The average student paid $3,700 last year. The price can be as high as $5,000, but most have tuition assistance or do service work to lower the costs. This is a higher amount than St Helen's but it has never been $7,000.

Second, we were not warned in any way about the closing of the school. Two weeks prior to the announcement there was a meeting that discussed a proposed three year plan to increase enrollment and stabilize the finances. The flyer handed out at the meeting concluded with a statement that there was a commitment to provide high academic standards at the school despite the proposal to combine some classes. The closi g of the school came as a complete shock to us all.

Third, father Carlino has done nothing to foster the long term viability of the school. He refused to allow the school to cut tuition costs, to provide greater discounts for multiple children, or to engage in several fundraisers. He also did notparticipate in school activities to the level most feel he should and did not promote support of the school within the parish or community as he should have. Although Bishop Hubbard rubber stamps the final decision, the real decision is upto Father Carlino.

There is an attempt being made to save the school but most of us realizes are chances are slim and have begun to register our children at other schools. This is a tragic loss to the community.

Quoted from Parent

I am a parent of two St John's students. First, tuition is not $7,000. The average student paid $3,700 last year. The price can be as high as $5,000, but most have tuition assistance or do service work to lower the costs. This is a higher amount than St Helen's but it has never been $7,000.

Second, we were not warned in any way about the closing of the school. Two weeks prior to the announcement there was a meeting that discussed a proposed three year plan to increase enrollment and stabilize the finances. The flyer handed out at the meeting concluded with a statement that there was a commitment to provide high academic standards at the school despite the proposal to combine some classes. The closi g of the school came as a complete shock to us all.

Third, father Carlino has done nothing to foster the long term viability of the school. He refused to allow the school to cut tuition costs, to provide greater discounts for multiple children, or to engage in several fundraisers. He also did notparticipate in school activities to the level most feel he should and did not promote support of the school within the parish or community as he should have. Although Bishop Hubbard rubber stamps the final decision, the real decision is upto Father Carlino.

There is an attempt being made to save the school but most of us realizes are chances are slim and have begun to register our children at other schools. This is a tragic loss to the community.

Thank you for the factual clarification. It is so sad to see these kids and their parents becoming victim to poor management and decisions. It is also unfortunate that Carlino didn't listen and take the advice from the parents that were actually footing the bill and obviously had an investment outcome.

The investment? Their children's education!

Thanks again Parent....and I hope your children and the other children find a good school.

Bumble said it all....good luck Parent and all the parents and children at St. John's....

Quoted from Parent

I am a parent of two St John's students. First, tuition is not $7,000. The average student paid $3,700 last year. The price can be as high as $5,000, but most have tuition assistance or do service work to lower the costs. This is a higher amount than St Helen's but it has never been $7,000.

Second, we were not warned in any way about the closing of the school. Two weeks prior to the announcement there was a meeting that discussed a proposed three year plan to increase enrollment and stabilize the finances. The flyer handed out at the meeting concluded with a statement that there was a commitment to provide high academic standards at the school despite the proposal to combine some classes. The closi g of the school came as a complete shock to us all.

Third, father Carlino has done nothing to foster the long term viability of the school. He refused to allow the school to cut tuition costs, to provide greater discounts for multiple children, or to engage in several fundraisers. He also did notparticipate in school activities to the level most feel he should and did not promote support of the school within the parish or community as he should have. Although Bishop Hubbard rubber stamps the final decision, the real decision is upto Father Carlino.

There is an attempt being made to save the school but most of us realizes are chances are slim and have begun to register our children at other schools. This is a tragic loss to the community.

My apologies, I did not have the actual paperwork from a few years ago, but I do know it was not $3,700 for my children. But, it was considerably more than the amount at St. Helen's. Also, the multiple child discount was better at St. Helen's as well. Four children, over $20K a year was not afforable for my family.

I really do feel bad for you and your children. When another Catholic School is down the street, offering a better tuition....well, the higher ups at St. John's should have realized that they needed to try to work together with St. Helen's (sharing resources, partnering together for fund-raisers, etc).

The Catholic community should be supporting each other, not putting schools out of business.  

Quoted from Parent

I am a parent of two St John's students. First, tuition is not $7,000. The average student paid $3,700 last year. The price can be as high as $5,000, but most have tuition assistance or do service work to lower the costs. This is a higher amount than St Helen's but it has never been $7,000.

Second, we were not warned in any way about the closing of the school. Two weeks prior to the announcement there was a meeting that discussed a proposed three year plan to increase enrollment and stabilize the finances. The flyer handed out at the meeting concluded with a statement that there was a commitment to provide high academic standards at the school despite the proposal to combine some classes. The closi g of the school came as a complete shock to us all.

Third, father Carlino has done nothing to foster the long term viability of the school. He refused to allow the school to cut tuition costs, to provide greater discounts for multiple children, or to engage in several fundraisers. He also did notparticipate in school activities to the level most feel he should and did not promote support of the school within the parish or community as he should have. Although Bishop Hubbard rubber stamps the final decision, the real decision is upto Father Carlino.

There is an attempt being made to save the school but most of us realizes are chances are slim and have begun to register our children at other schools. This is a tragic loss to the community.

As a parishioner of another city parish which lost its Catholic school a number of years ago, I can sympathize with the feelings that you have right now.

However, I do question a few of your points.   The financial difficulties with St John's School were well documented and discussed during the Called To Be Church pastoral planning process (2006 through 2009) and in subsequent reports since then.   I don't know how that information was conveyed to parishioners and parents of school children at St. John's -- but it was most certainly shared with the dozens of persons (clergy and laity) who participated in the 3 year long pastoral planning process.

I know that St, John's has had an ongoing registration drive -- with banners on the parish property and notices to other local parishes to advertise in our bulletins and share through pulpit announcements.  I know that on at least two weekends - parishioners in our parish were asked to consider registering their children and/or grandchildren in St. John's and to otherwise "spread the news" to encourage registrations.

I know your pastor well and know that he most certainly did everything that he could to save the school.  Lowering tuition when enrollments were dropping would not have guaranteed the schools survival ---- and in order to  reduce tuition costs you have to reduce expenses or increase revenue some other way.  Please have patience with him and pray for him -- he has a tough job running two parishes.

Personally, I believe that the underlying problem facing Catholic Schools in the diocese has never been addressed -- but I will address that in  my next post.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

As a parishioner of another city parish which lost its Catholic school a number of years ago, I can sympathize with the feelings that you have right now.

However, I do question a few of your points.   The financial difficulties with St John's School were well documented and discussed during the Called To Be Church pastoral planning process (2006 through 2009) and in subsequent reports since then.   I don't know how that information was conveyed to parishioners and parents of school children at St. John's -- but it was most certainly shared with the dozens of persons (clergy and laity) who participated in the 3 year long pastoral planning process.

I know that St, John's has had an ongoing registration drive -- with banners on the parish property and notices to other local parishes to advertise in our bulletins and share through pulpit announcements.  I know that on at least two weekends - parishioners in our parish were asked to consider registering their children and/or grandchildren in St. John's and to otherwise "spread the news" to encourage registrations.

I know your pastor well and know that he most certainly did everything that he could to save the school.  Lowering tuition when enrollments were dropping would not have guaranteed the schools survival ---- and in order to  reduce tuition costs you have to reduce expenses or increase revenue some other way.  Please have patience with him and pray for him -- he has a tough job running two parishes.

Personally, I believe that the underlying problem facing Catholic Schools in the diocese has never been addressed -- but I will address that in  my next post.

Here we go- Mr. Knowitall now wants to argue with someone who (UNLIKE HIM) is DIRECTLY IMPACTED. Then he propagandizes, then he threatens us all with another treatise. Why does he stick his queenish schnozz into every affair of every parish. What parish is he part of? Why doesn't he mind his business? Why does he always shill for the Diocese and his bosom-buddy the Bish'? He has no direct nvolvement in this matter yet there he is medaling AGAIN!. No wonder he is despised broadly yet has no accomplishments to show for it. This is truthfully the democrap way. Stick your nose into everything where it does not belong. Can someone fling Ronnie the Commie?

Also, I remember when gunshots hit the playground there a few years ago. Our renaissance forgot that neighborhood. I am sure it made people less like to send their kids there because that area has become a DUMP.

Took mom for breakfast this morning after Mass and there was a couple we hadn't seen in a while, but who had children at St John's some maybe 10 years ago.   Of course they didn't know what the tuititon is today, but said that when they had children there, the school used a "negotiated tuition" system, described as being, the principal (who was the same then as she is now) told parents what the real full cost of tuition should be, but that the school knows that most families cannot afford it, and so the parents would pay what they feel they could pay, there was a minimum amount also of something like $1,500 per year.   But they said that yes, the parents would help out with activities from chaperoning trips, to hosting the coffee and donuts after Masses on Sunday, to working on the bazaar, but they didn't remember if they actually had to sign up for a specfiic number of activities.  They said at Bishop Gibbons, parents did have to sign up for helping and the number of things they helped with was some amount of reduction off the tuition.  

They said they were surprised because St John's had so many students, they didn't know where to put them and mentioned that the school building actually needed to have an addition built on because of the increasing enrollment.   They were parishoners at St John's too

But they also said they left St John's as a parish after Fr Carlino became pastor there, and quite a large number of parishoners left. but mentioned that he did away with many large fundraisers.   Now remember, I did mention the bazaar, asking how a pastor allegedly worked so hard to keep the school open (as DV claims he knows) but then eliminated the biggest fundraiser, they did have that three day bazaar which was a huge affair---the biggest fundraiser of all for the school, so why did Fr Carlino end that?  

Well, to Parent, we will pray for you.  Miracles can happen, look at that church in what was it, Pittsfield or Springfield that was closed a few years ago and the parishoners were squeaky wheels.  

And word has it that the issue of the closing of the school may be a big part of Al Roney's radio show on Monday.  Parent, if you're not familiar, it's local talk radio, his show starts at 2 pm, and you can call in at 476-1300    (It's 1300 AM radio and they stream it live on the website too)   So pass the word to other parents too.  

And maybe DV, who claims "to know for a fact that the pastor worked so hard to keep the school open" will call and speak on behalf of the pastor and explain why the pastor fled the country instead of facing the parents.   Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if St John's is the next parish that closes in the city.   Given that the pastor has closed the school, and he had abandoned the rectory (rather than looking for ways to repair it), I'll be that within 5 years, the school building and the rectory will be sold.



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