Simplified: Less than a month after the Catholic school system announced the closure of Christ the King Elementary, there's a chance the school will stay open after all thanks to the work of several parents and more than $100,000 in pledges to financially support the school.
Why it matters
- The Bishop O'Gorman Catholic School System last month announced the long-time elementary school would be closing at the end of the current school year. Immediately after the announcement, work began on petitioning the school system to change its mind.
- After that immediate pushback, the school system held a parent meeting last week to discuss next steps and give parents a chance to come up with a solution to keep the school open.
- The response has been significant, with pledges for more than $100,000 – more than double the initial goal – to help save the school. Additionally, a group of parents has been working to draft a strategic plan to present to the board – which is expected to make a final decision on the school Oct. 10, per a statement from school system spokeswoman Rachael Kapperman.
- But as for now, morale is high, parent and CTK Strong member Jessica Baltazar said.
"I think (the board) is sincere," Baltazar said. "I don't think they are just humoring us. But I don't think our work is done yet."
What happens next?
Baltazar said the board has given parents until Monday to submit the strategic plan and any other materials intended to change their minds about closing the school.
- She also noted that officials acknowledged the initial communication on the closure could've gone better, and that since the parent meeting, members of the board have been open to conversations with parents.
Even if the school ultimately closes, Baltazar said parents are thinking about ways to make sure the "CTK Community" remains strong.
"We feel somewhat inspired that the board reached out and wanted to communicate," she added. "That felt reassuring to us that there was some hope or some possibility of a future."
