Statement Regarding St. Gertrude School

May 24, 2006

Father Alvaro Araque, pastor of St. Gertrude Parish in Stockton, has announced that the school will suspend operations at the end of this school year until a feasibility study has been conducted to determine the future viability of the school.

Bishop Stephen E. Blaire asked Sr. Marian Clare Valenteen, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, to conduct an internal review of the school to determine the seriousness of the school’s situation. From first hand experience, she reported to the Bishop the critical state of the school in terms of declining enrollment, financial indebtedness and inability of the school to respond adequately to the recommendations of the 2004 visiting committee for accreditation of the school.

Fr. Araque reviewed Sr. Marian Clare’s report with the parish Pastoral and Finance Councils in May and discussed with them the options open to the school. After seeking their consent, Fr. Araque has requested and received permission from Bishop Blaire to suspend operations of St. Gertrude School pending the results of a professional feasibility study. A national organization with experience in evaluating private schools will be engaged to determine if and how criteria for viability can be met.

All current students at St. Gertrude’s will be offered assistance in the placement process into other local Catholic schools. The school will cease operation as of July 1, 2006 and the services of an evaluative organization will be sought as soon as possible.

Bishop Blaire is grateful for the many years of service given in and through St. Gertrude’s school, is deeply committed to quality Catholic education and will do everything to assist the feasibility study which will be financed through the Bishop’s Ministry Appeal. He looks forward to building a strong and vibrant future for Catholic education in south Stockton.

Attached: Fr. Araque’s letter to school parents

Last Update December 6, 2007