ROCHESTER — Parents of St. Elizabeth Seton School students say they do not want the more than century-oldschool to close, and they feel "blindsided" by the decision of the Diocese of Manchester.
Christina Sullivan has three children in the school, in kindergarten, third grade and sixth grade. She said parents arereaching out to the diocese, asking for another meeting.
"We are so upset with how this happened, because until last week we had no idea," she said. "Even the staff, the teachers and the principal were not told until we were. We didn't have a chance to save it. Well, we want our voices heard, even if it can't change things. We want them to know how we feel."
The diocese last week announced it was consolidating its private pre-K through Grade 8 Catholicschools in the Tri-Cities.St. Elizabeth Seton is closing and students are being invited to transfer to St. Mary Academy in Dover.
A spokesperson for the diocese said administrators understand parents feeling emotional and speaking out, but noted the decision is final.
"We are aware that parents are expressing a variety of sentiments," said Alison Meuller, director of enrollment for the diocese. "Some are not positive, but some parents are excited and have already called St. Maryto register. What is happening is a natural reaction and we have seen it before when we consolidate schools and close a school."
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The move is part of a phased plan that has evolved since 2021, when theclosure of the school was first announced, then postponed.
Parents were informed last Tuesday of the decision, and an informational meeting was held for them on Thursday. Parents say it is not enough, that were not given a chance to save their beloved school.
Mueller said they did tell parents last year that they were pausing to explore options after delaying a consolidation of schools for a time.
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"Change is hard," Mueller said. "The loss of a school is hard. This will happen and parents are being offered space at Saint Mary. We are excited and believe we can offer good opportunities and a vibrant school environment.Saint Maryhas 214 students, and St. Elizabeth64. By combining the two, we will be able to assure one grade per class. Currently, SES has two grades in some classrooms."
Why the schools are consolidating and what parents are saying
Sullivan said the parents knew the school, with only 64 students, was running at a budget deficit. She said she and others would have been willing to make donations, pay a higher tuition or do fundraising to try and meet the deficit.
"I talked with one parent, who owns a well-established business in the city," Sullivan said. "He said if he had a clue, he would have made a substantial donation to keep the school open. Last year, they were considering moving Dover kids here and the Dover parents didn't want that. So now we go there? What about the future? They talked about building a new school and looked at locations in Rochester and Somersworth. We move again in another year? What is the vision here?"
Mueller said in looking at options, the need for substantial facility upgrades to consolidate at SES proved prohibitive.
"We want to continue to make Catholic education accessible," she said. "For now, this is the best solution. We appreciate the dialogue, but are moving forward."
Mona Daraoui is the mother of four children who have attended SES, three graduates and one still a student.
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"When my family and I heard the news, we were heartbroken, but thankful for the education, life skills, and bonds the school created," Daraoui said. "All of my daughters have expressed how prepared they were for high school due to SES’s strong curriculum. Not only is the education exceptional, but the lifelong friendships and connections made with teachers still stay with them all these years later. My family and I truly cherish this school and all it has offered and done for us."
Jennifer McLean is an alumni of SES, and now her children, pre-K and first gradeattend the school. She said the closure is heartbreaking to her.
"This is hitting especially hard to our family," she said. "There was no communication and we definitely were blindsided. We would have tried to save the school, if we had time. Now we have to send our kids to Dover? We have no guarantee of a bus, and they are giving us $150 at Lands' End because we need new uniforms. You cannot back to school shop for any child with $150. I'd rather put that money toward a tuition increase and stay here. They want to sell the building. I understand this is a business, but we talk about children being the future. Our children are the future here."
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Jody Curran said she understands the two schools will eventually merge, probably in a new building.
"So why not leave us all where we are until that decision is made?" she asked. "It was so hard to tell my son that night before he heard it from anyone else at school. We chose this school because of the religion, but also because of the small class sizes. Will I transfer him? Probably. But I wish we knew more about what is going to happen. Right not I feel I am being forced to make a decision with little or no information."
Natalie Zweimuller has a fifth-grade daughter enrolled at SES.
"She and I are so absolutely devastated upon hearing of the abrupt closing of her school," said Zweimuller. "She has quite the backstory leading her to this school and it's her first and now soon to be last year there.Last Wednesday Feb. 23,she came home balling her little eyes out stating that she’s not strong enough to handle all of these recent changes.As a mother, I reassured her that we will keep the faith and make it though.I wish more parents and students in surrounding schools could have a glimpse of how wonderful of an impact it’s made in her life.The positive flow of kindness should not be overlooked."
Zweimuller said her family moved from Newfields.
"We are keeping positive for the best outcome," she said. "I am still a firefighter in Newfields, however we moved up here for a brighter future and a more supportive school.We have felt and appreciate all the lovethat this little school has to offer."
Carrie Hurn said the SES familieswould have liked the opportunity to fundraise and to keep theschool open untila new school is opened.
"With property so valuable, the superintendent had differing plans,' she said. "After 18 months of COVID-induced chaos at our public school, we made the decision to move our kids to SES this schoolyear. With the hybrid schedule, my child spent more time in daycare than public school last school year.My children have thrived at SES with the challenging curriculum, exceptional teachers and a supportive community environment.We were devastated to learn of the school's closing last week rather than merging with St. Mary Academy in a new facility as previously discussed. The teachers and administration that we trust and respect were not part of this decision which is unsettling.Moreover, this closure is leaving a hole in school choice in our area: Dover has two charter schools and two Christian schools.Rochester and surrounding towns will be left with no options other than driving to Dover."
In a statement released last week, David A. Thibault, superintendent of schools for the diocese, explained the reasons for closingSt. Elizabeth Seton.
"Theschool’s ongoing deficit budget and forbidding financial picture, persistent enrollment struggles in the midst of a state-wide enrollment boom, aging and too-large-to-maintain facility, make it impractical tocontinue operations beyond this year," he said."Every SES family currently enrolled and soon-to-be-enrolled willbe welcomed at Saint MaryAcademy in Dover over the coming months in preparation for next school year.”
A new head of school has been named to oversee the transition and establish a long-term strategic plan.Brandy Houle, current principal at Saint Benedict Academy in Manchester, will formally assume therole July 1 working closely with families, faculty, and staff from both schools in the comingmonths, according to the diocese. "We saw great success there, and we are hoping to create the same success here," Mueller said.
Saint Mary Academyis located in a 110-year-old building," Mueller said. "That will be part of future discussions. Do we restore it or go in a different direction? It's too earlyto say."
