Efforts go on to halt closing

A petition drive to keep the school open will continue.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Supporters hoping to keep Our Lady of Mount Carmel School open will continue their efforts, though the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has announced its closing.
The announcement that the elementary school is closing after the current school year was made Wednesday by Monsignor Robert Siffrin, diocesan administrator.
Gil Blair, co-chairman of an oversight committee seeking to keep the doors open, said Wednesday that parents and supporters will continue their petition drive.
"We'll continue to make this thing work," said Blair, of Niles.
Meanwhile, council unaminously agreed Wednesday night to write a letter to Monsignor Siffrin asking the closing be delayed until the new bishop can review it.
The diocese hasn't had a bishop since 2005. The Most Rev. George V. Murry will be installed Wednesday as bishop.
Monsignor Siffrin accepted the recommendations of Father Larry Frient, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, and the parish's council and finance committee to close the school.
Declining enrollment was the major factor in the decision. Enrollment has declined from 276 pupils nine years ago to the current 69.
Blair, who has a child attending the school and plans to enroll a second child if it remains open, said 93 pupils are committed to attend the school next year.
What diocese said
In a diocesan news release, Father Frient said the parish has made every effort to keep the school a vital part of the parish and the city.
He noted that younger families are leaving not only the city, but also the surrounding area, or choosing not to send their children to Catholic school.
"The option to send children to a neighboring Catholic school of their choice remains a very viable option for parents belonging to our parish, and we encourage them to do so," Father Frient said.
A second Catholic school in the city -- St. Stephen's -- has 237 pupils
There has been a suggestion that Mount Carmel and St. Stephen's can merge.
Dr. Michael Skube, superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese, said the diocese will make every effort for a smooth transition of the pupils from Mount Carmel to other Catholic schools.
Blair, a Mount Carmel graduate, said teachers have been under a "gag order" not to discuss the closing ,and there was no participation from the school staff in making the decision.
He explained that a three-year plan was announced in March 2006 to raise money to increase enrollment and reduce costs.
Since last year, Blair explained, the school has reduced expenses by 50,000.
"We've met our financial obligation," he added.
yovich@vindy.com