CAPE MAY — City Council passed a resolution Tuesday May 19 opposing plans of the Catholic Diocese of Camden to close Our Lady Star of the Sea School and send students to St. Ann’s School in Wildwood.
The resolution noted Our Lady Star of the Sea School “provides a significant educational, cultural, spiritual, moral and economic benefit to the City of Cape May, its residents, visitors and guests.”
City Hall Auditorium was filled to capacity, a standing room only crowd on two floors. The audience included parents, students, former mayors and Our Lady Star of Sea parishioners. Parents received a letter May 12 informing them the school will close its doors in September 2010 due to low enrollment.
The resolution noted several Coast Guard families send their children to Our Lady Star of the Sea School.
“If Our Lady Star of the Sea School closes, it will result in a void in the center of the City of Cape May that can never be replaced and will likely have a major negative impact upon the community as a whole,” said the resolution.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said council was requesting the Diocese of Camden participate in a town meeting, “so that all individuals affected by the closure of Our Lady Star of the Sea School will have an opportunity to present their positions and ask questions pertaining to the plans presented by the Diocese of Camden.
A certified copy of the resolution will be sent to Bishop Joseph A. Galante of the Diocese of Camden.
Mahaney said the school has been the hub of the downtown area since 1920 and its closure would be a major economic blow to Cape May. He said those involved with the school patronized local businesses.
Mahaney said council would follow the resolution with a demand to meet with Galante. He said the closing of the school may meet the Bishop’s long-term educational and financial goals for the diocese but at the same time, the detriment of the process are negative to Cape May and surrounding areas.
The mayor said the school’s future should not be a decision based totally on enrollment and economics but also examining the positive social, religious and economic benefits of the school to South Jersey.
Parent and Cape May Point Administrator Connie Mahon presented a petition against closing the school with 350 plus signatures. Many more signed the petition at the close of the meeting. She noted Galante and the diocese promised no more mergers or closures would take place for five years after the merger of St. Raymond and Star of the Sea, just two years ago.
Mahon said the diocese made no effort to increase enrollment at Star of the Sea through advertising or other methods.
The petition notes the decision to close the school is “unfair and unjust.”
Mahon’s statement received thunderous applause.
“As an educator, this possible decision to close Our Lady Star of the Sea School breaks my heart,” said Deputy Mayor Linda Steenrod. “It’s a community that is part of a larger community and to lose this would be devastating.”
Star of the Sea graduate Deven Parker suggested former alumni of the school be approached to help with funding which could decrease tuition and increase enrollment.
Attached to the resolution was list of community activities associated with the school including an annual 9/11 ceremony, raking leaves for home bound seniors, serving a Thanksgiving meal to 40 seniors citizens without families, performing a Christmas play for Victorian Towers seniors, fund raising for United Way and animal shelters and participating in food drives
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
