Catholic school in Austintown to close

AUSTINTOWN — Four years after merging two schools in the township because of declining enrollment, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is closing that school for the same reason.

“Given the limitation of finances and low enrollment, we had to face the reality that the numbers needed to operate the school simply are not there,” said a letter sent home today to parents of students at St. Joseph/Immaculate Heart of Mary School.

It’s signed by Superintendent Nicholas Wolsonovich; Lois Cavucci, president of Lumen Christi, the diocese’s system of kindergarten through eighth-grade schools; Monsignor Kenneth Miller and the Rev. Gregory Fedor, pastors of Immaculate Heart and St. Joseph, respectively.

The school will close at the end of this school year.

“It’s hard when a school closes,” said Randy Rair, assistant superintendent. “People care very much about the school and the teachers.”

Teachers were notified today at a meeting.

Rair said about 120 students attend the school this year, but fewer than 100 are registered for next year. About 15 teachers are employed there.

“It was tough with the teachers today because they care so much about the place and care so much about the kids,” he said.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com