St. Bede Catholic School, located in Ingleside, Lake County, Illinois, is set to close its doors despite successful fundraising endeavors earlier this year. The closure comes in the wake of insufficient student registrations, despite raising over $500,000 to stave off financial difficulties.

Low Registration Forces Closure

Despite the optimistic efforts to raise funds, St. Bede Catholic School faced a significant setback as only 119 students registered for the upcoming school year by March 19, falling short of the target enrollment of 182 students. Consequently, the decision to close the school was made due to the inability to sustain operations with such low registration numbers.

Closure Recommendation and Acceptance

The closure recommendation came from Rev. George Koeune, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, and the school’s finance council. This recommendation was then accepted by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, leading to the unfortunate decision to shutter the institution.

Donor Appreciation and Options

In response to the closure, Rev. Koeune expressed gratitude to the donors who generously contributed to the fundraising campaign earlier in the year. He acknowledged their support and offered them options regarding the allocated funds. Donors were given the choice to redirect their contributions towards scholarships for students to attend other Catholic schools or request a refund.

Impact of State Scholarship Program Loss

Rev. Koeune highlighted the challenges faced by the school, particularly mentioning the loss of the state Invest in Kids scholarship program. This loss created uncertainty regarding the school’s future, despite the considerable fundraising efforts. The absence of this scholarship program significantly impacted the financial sustainability of St. Bede’s.

Rich History Ends

St. Bede Catholic School has served the community for over 65 years, fostering education and faith. Its closure marks the end of an era for the institution, leaving a void in the local educational landscape.

A Bittersweet Farewell

The closure of St. Bede Catholic School, despite its fundraising achievements, underscores the challenges faced by educational institutions in maintaining viability amidst fluctuating enrollment and financial uncertainties. While the efforts to save the school were commendable, the reality of low registration and external factors led to its inevitable closure. The legacy of St. Bede’s will be remembered fondly by generations of students, families, and the community it served.

Source