It has come to my attention that residents on Surrey Road and surrounding streets are circulating and signing a petition against the changes to Cathedral High School to accommodate the influx of new students.
Here is a report of the steering committee that recommended the new K-8 academy for Holy Cross School & Cathedral High School. [pdf] All of the data comes from the Springfield Diocese School pages.
Many of you have asked why five schools being closed and re-located to East Forest Park. The answer lies in the enrollment data below. The table can also be viewed as a [pdf].
| 1988-1989 9 Catholic Schools | 1998-99 8 Catholic Schools | 2008-09 5 Catholic Schools |
HOLY CROSS | 469 | 532 | 391 |
HOLY NAME | 336 | 409 | 153 |
OUR LADY OF HOPE | 405 | 527 | 179 |
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL | 202 | 158 | 118 |
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED | 574 | 372 | 173 |
SACRED HEART | 279 | 172 | Closed 6/18/02 |
ST. JOSEPH – ST. THOMAS | 201 | Closed 6/27/1997 |
|
| 2466 | 2170 | 1014 |
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION | 192 | 190 | Closed 6/17/03 |
ST. MATTHEW | 195 | 141 | Closed 6/21/05 |
| 387 | 331 |
|
| 2853 | 2501 |
|
There are going to be plans for a new proposed 112 space parking lot for staff in the front of Cathedral High School, which would essentially eliminate the front lawn. The proposed plans are located in this [pdf].
UPDATE: TheCatholic Diocese has decided to cancel plans for the parking lot.
I will make an effort to contact the Springfield Diocese and invite them to our April meeting to hear neighborhood concerns.
Sincerely,
Shawn E. Sheehan, Co-President
East Forest Park Civic Association
