|
Published: March 22, 2009 07:59 am
EDITORIAL: Let’s save Niagara Catholic
Niagara County’s only Catholic high school is facing a daunting challenge — overcoming a $250,000 budget deficit by
June 30.
If the deficit is not erased by that date, the school will close.
Principal Robert M. DiFrancesco prefers to remain optimistic Niagara Catholic’s “family” will rise to the challenge. “Niagara Catholic is not closing, we’re doing everything we can to keep it viable,” he said Thursday.
The school is trying to reduce the deficit, including trimming staff and operating costs. The tuition is also being increased to $6,700 next year, up from $5,600.
This is not a time to run, rather a time to come together as a family to save Niagara Catholic High School,” DiFrancesco said. “We truly believe that if we can be successful in the next two months that we can make it in the long run.”
Niagara Catholic has had an illustrious history in Niagara Falls. The school came into existence in 1975 after the former Bishop Duffy and Madonna high schools merged together. Though the school has always been known for its academic excellence — 100 percent of its seniors graduated last year and 99 percent went on to college — it hasn’t been immune to the dwindling local economy and drastic drop in Catholic education enrollment over the past decade.
DiFrancesco said Niagara Catholic’s student population has gone from 220 to 160 since 2004. That, coupled with increasing operating costs and a swift reduction in aid from the Buffalo Catholic Diocese, has helped build the current $250,000 deficit. If nothing changes and the school stays open, the deficit is projected to reach $750,000 by June 2010.
A campaign has begun to solicit funds from alumni and community members and
efforts to recruit new students continues.
It would be a shame to see this institution close. Now is the time to act.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Publishing
Work in Publishing. Need to know or have some knowledge of Adobe and Quark Express. Hours Mon-Fri 8-4:30. $8.00 per hr t...>MORE
Nurses
NURSES: RN - Endoscopy, PT days. Up to $5000 sign on bonus; Nurse Manager - Primary Care, FT, NYS LPN or RN license with...>MORE
Cashiers
CASHIERS
Looking for dependable people with great customer service skills to work in APlus Convenience store in Le...>MORE
Car Enthusiast
Old Ford enthusiast needed with knowledge of early year Fords (1909-early 70’s) to answer technical phone calls and emai...>MORE
Assistant Director
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
Ass...>MORE
Mechanic
MECHANIC Service company owned trucks, trailers, etc. 2 years experience and own tools. Apply at 490 Ohio Street or...>MORE
Youth Job Training
Niagara County YOUTH ages 18-21. Out of School? Looking for Work?
We may have the program for YOU! Call Liz for fur...>MORE
PHONE SALES
Phone sales, high profile fundraisers, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. plus, Pete or Mike, 694-12...>MORE
TOOL GRINDER & WIRE EDM OPERATOR
Tool Grinder-exp. w/contours & blades,Wire EDM Operator-5 yrs exp., 3rd shift. Pivot Punch Corp., resumes: jobs@pivotpu...>MORE
Certified Pharmacy Technician & Medication Technician
Certified Pharmacy Tech’s, Certified
Medication Tech’s & PCA’s Competitive wages. Call Lisa McKensie Ransomville ...>MORE
See all ads |
1998 Dodge Dakota Sport
DODGE 1998 Dakota Sport 3.9 V6, regular cab, exc in & out, no rust, real sharp, $2750. 523-7102...>MORE
1993 Chevy Silverado
CHEVY Silverado 4x4 1993 new alt, starter, exhaust, rebuilt trans., etc. Reliable. Call 282-0465....>MORE
Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI
Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI, 4 door, one owner, exc. condition, power windows, power steering, power locks, $5000 or best ...>MORE
Pontiac 2000 Grand Prix XL
PONTIAC 2000 Grand Prix XL, black,
good condition
531-2669...>MORE
Ford 1999 Escort ZX2
FORD 1999 ESCORT, ZX2 Coupe, runs great, NYS inspected, exc. cond. $1650. 694-0441...>MORE
1991 Lincoln Executive Town Car
LINCOLN 1991 Executive Town Car, 42k miles, no rust, runs, needs work, $600. 990-8895....>MORE
1986 Ford Mustang
FORD 1986 Mustang convertible, 5.0 body kit, 3.8L V6, 40k on new motor, runs but needs work. $700 or BO. 417-1611...>MORE
1999 Chevy Malibu
CHEVY 1999 Malibu, needs fuel pump, $700. 282-6141 or 990-6026....>MORE
Dodge 2001 Neon
DODGE 2001Neon, 4 dr, 4 cyl, auto, 58k mi. am/fm CD player, n o rust, like new, $3950. 525-7796...>MORE
Ford 1997 TAURUS
FORD 1997 taurus, runs exc. fully loaded, must see $1400 or best offer. 205-7711...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
