CREVE COEUR, Mo. — A century-old school is being forced to close.
St. Monica Catholic School in Creve Coeur is the latest Catholic school on the chopping block.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis made the announcement on Friday to families. Their pastor sent a letter. That's when school board president Christopher Miller found out.
The letter noted the school's challenge of low enrollment. Miller argued those intending to return was higher than the 120 mentioned.
Miller described his immediate reaction: "There was anger, frustration, I felt betrayed."
He has three children at St. Monica.
"As parents we’ve had to hold our sobbing kids and listen to them cry, 'What am I going to do with my friends, what about our teachers?'" Miller explained.
It's the latest school shutting down as a part of to the All Things New Plan, a restructuring plan by the Archdiocese.
"Our pastor, Father Sebastian, said no we want to stay open and the Archbishop made the decision," he added. "August of last year, the Diocese came in said there was a potential of it not opening this year."
Miller said they put together a plan.
"We had a fundraising committee, raised $50,000 throughout the year," Miller shared.
He explained they hosted parent meetings and were told in December to create a feasibility report.
Miller said they went back and forth to share additional information to the Archdiocese. The latest was on March 25.
He said early April, some parishioners stepped up to make pledge offers and matches.
"We raised $500,000 in the course of a week," he added.
In a letter sent to families on April 10, the school talked about all of their efforts.
It ended with, "With new school leadership, pledges received, increase enrollment and a marking plan for the future, both deacon and father were convinced they meet their financial goal for 2024-2025 school year and position it to thrive for years to come."
However, nine days later, the Archdiocese made its decision.
Father Sebastian told families through a letter, the school was operating with a deficit of $300,000 and their feasibility plan was rejected by the Archdiocese.
Tim Kaltenbach's daughter attends St. Monica's and he was shocked to the hear the news.
"We were fundraising, getting pledges, we also paid extra tuition... parents were doing as much as we could. The thought of the stress on the parents and the kids who have to find another placement for a school this short notice a month until school ends and we have to scramble to find somebody else," he added. "We thought things were going good and ramping up for next year and now we have to start all over again."
Now, both parents worry what's next.
Miller told 5 On Your Side no plan was given.
"Our families have no idea what schools to go to, the Diocese gave nothing," he added. "I can tell you no one is coming from the Diocese until Friday for our staff. The school, our team, we are there to support our families."
The school board is hosting a parent meeting May 1 at 6 p.m. at the school.
Miller said it'll be a time to heal and find ways to move forward.
On Friday, the Archdiocese of St. Louis released this statement from the Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Archbishop of St. Louis:
“While providing Catholic Education in St. Louis County for more than 100 years, St. Monica School has faced ongoing challenges due to inconsistent and declining enrollment. As of today, fewer than 120 students are enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year, including one grade level in which only three students have enrolled. This trend means that continuing to provide quality education at St. Monica School would require support that would negatively impact the parish’s finances and impede other crucial parish ministries.
"After consultation with parish and archdiocesan leaders to explore possible cost-reducing options, we have determined that such changes would take away key services and resources from students and teachers and still require an unsustainable parish subsidy. For these reasons, it is necessary to close St. Monica School at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.
"The Archdiocese of St. Louis will provide placement assistance to St. Monica School faculty and staff, as well as enrollment assistance to families who wish to place students into other Catholic elementary schools.
"The parishioners of St. Monica can indeed be proud of the long history of educating children in the faith. I am profoundly grateful to them, to all the administrators, teachers, and staff who share their gifts to help raise children in our Catholic faith, and to the parents who make a commitment to Catholic education.
"Please join me in keeping all affected by these changes in our prayers.”