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Posted January 9, 2008

School closings were 'inevitable' By Adam Wise
Daily Tribune Staff

Parents of local parochial students are adjusting to a proposed new Catholic school system structure that includes the closing of two elementary schools.

Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools officials met with parents and residents Tuesday at the site of two buildings set to close at the end of this school year.

WRACS President Carol Olson announced Monday that St. Philip Elementary School in Rudolph and Sacred Heart Elementary School in Nekoosa would no longer be used for reasons including continued low enrollment with 631 students this year, down from 747 in 1999-2000, increased costs, and a debt of about $1.2 million that is projected to be below $1 million by June.

Ann Taylor of Nekoosa attended the question-and-answer session at Sacred Heart Church. A mother of two Assumption Middle School students, Taylor also has a 2-year-old who won't be able to attend Sacred Heart Elementary School.

"(I came) just to see how this is affecting our parish here as well as be supportive of something we don't want to see happen, but it's looking to be inevitable," she said.

With 75 children spread among the two outlying schools this year, Taylor said she understands why WRACS's 18-month feasibility study led it to close the schools.

"There will be that grieving process," she said. "For me it's not a total shock, it was just a matter of when it was going to happen."

To ease the transition for students and acclimate them to their future surroundings, staff from both St. Philip and Sacred Heart schools will be visiting other campuses in Wisconsin Rapids later this school year.

Lisa Skibba, who has three children currently spread among three schools that will stay open, said she comprehends the system's need to be fiscally
responsible.

"I think people will understand the logical," she said following Monday's announcement. "This is the reality of the world we live in. The emotional part is what's difficult."

Skibba, a Wisconsin Rapids resident who attended St. Philip as a child, commended the strength of that
community.

"The parishioners will do anything for that school; they will do anything for the students to make sure they have what they need," Skibba said. "They have a very strong Catholic identity."

Tour the schools

The Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools will celebrate Catholic Schools Week this month. Parents and community members are invited to tour the various schools in the system during open house hours set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 29 to 31.