By MARISSA DECHANT
Staff writer
Nearly $56,000 has been raised in an effort to save St. Patrick School in Franklin from closing at the end of this school year.
Donations have been coming in since the school’s advisory board met last Monday in an effort to inform parents and parishioners of the financial situation facing the school, in addition to decreasing enrollment numbers – 54 children are enrolled in grades kindergarten through eight.
Dick O’Polka, the head of the parish finance committee, outlined at the meeting a $140,000 gap that needs to be filled to finish out this school year and cover the remaining costs for the 2018-19 year.
The advisory board was given two weeks to raise the necessary funds after parish council postponed its vote last Wednesday on whether to close the school.
Advisory board president Michelle McGee-Morrison said Tuesday she is hopeful of meeting the fundraising goal by June 6.
Board members met Tuesday evening to “reconnect and assess” where they were in the fundraising campaign, McGee-Morrison said.
To donate, people may make out checks to the “School annual fund” that can be mailed or dropped off at the school.
Mailed checks should be addressed to St. Patrick School, Attn: Paula Klinger, 952 Liberty St., 16323.
Donations may be made at www.spsirish.org.
McGee-Morrison said all donations will be returned if the goal isn’t met.
