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July 11, 2019
By Margaret M. Russell | The Catholic Free Press
With enrollment sitting at 105, the Diocese of Worcester will keep its commitment to opening St. Bernard Central Catholic High School for the 2019-20 school year.
David Perda, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, said that Bishop McManus has agreed to keep the school open. Mr. Perda has written a letter to parents and staff informing them of the decision.
“We will continue to operate the school and fund any deficits,” the superintendent said. He estimated the cost to the diocese for the coming school year could run as high as $800,000 to $900,000.
He also said the diocese will continue to work with a transition team to prepare the school to become a non-diocesan, private Catholic school beginning with the 2020-21 school year.
“Much work has taken place over the last month and many people are committed to trying to make this become a reality. There is of course much more to do. It is my hope that the momentum will continue through the rest of the summer and into the school year leading to a bright future for St. Bernard’s and continued Catholic education at the secondary level in North Worcester County,” he wrote.
That pledge of support by the diocese is just what Linda Anderson wanted to hear. Mrs. Anderson, the new principal of St. Bernard’s, said, “Addressing the future of St. Bernard’s is something the community here has longed to do. Now we have this great news. There are great positive vibes. ... This gets us around that corner and into the next phase of the evolution of the school.”
Due to financial losses and a steadily declining enrollment, the diocese announced in June that it would no longer be able to afford to subsidize the school if the enrollment dropped below 100. Enrollment dropped from 434 students in 2008-09 to 133 in 2018-19, according to the superintendent.
The school community was given until July 15 to shore up its enrollment so parents could make alternate plans if the school were to close.
“A lot of people have worked very hard,” Mrs. Anderson said. “I am proud of the families and students that have committed themselves to working hard for St. Bernard’s.”
Superintendent Perda said there are several other students who have expressed an interest in attending and he hopes that the announcement will encourage more to consider St. Bernard’s.
“Obviously there has been a little bit of trepidation, but with the unveiling of this news, I am hoping for an additional flood of students,” Mrs. Anderson said, noting that potential new students were touring the building this past week.
Superintendent Perda said some people think that spending $900,000 to keep the high school open is too much. But, he noted that St. Bernard’s is the only secondary school in a large geographic area of the diocese. “When you look at the big picture,” he said, “what we are trying to do is to get the faith to grow. How can we turn our back on this community?”
He said that if this plan could help get the school’s enrollment back to where it was 10 years ago, “it’s money well spent.”
“I am happy they will have this opportunity,” Superintendent Perda said. “It is a special community.”
The community spirit is in evidence in the school building this summer with the institution of a new tradition - a clean-up day, Mrs. Anderson said. Every Thursday during the summer a different part of the building is given a thorough cleaning and revitalization with the help of students, parents and alumni. Different people come each week, she said, including teachers and coaches.
“Everyone is coming together to work as a team,” she said.
“We need to keep existing because we know there is a fundamental need for community in the world,” Mrs. Anderson said. “And it is something special we offer here.”
