Redemptorist Catholic School announces plan to close

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Redemptorist Catholic School will close its doors for the final time at the end of the current school year, according to an announcement from the Diocese of Lafayette.
The school enrolls students in grades pre-K through eighth grade, and has been educating students in the Crowley community for the past 59 years.
In a letter to parents of Redemptorist School parents, the Rev. Jason Vidrine, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, explained that low enrollment numbers at the school make operation not feasible.
“I consulted with the Advisory Council and its Finance Committee to discuss ways we could raise revenue and cut expenses, and each of the budgets we considered would require at least 165 students,” Vidrine said in his letter.
“However, the actual number registered by Feb. 28, 2019, was 79, far short of our goal. Unfortunately, our school cannot operate with such a low number both educationally or financially, nor can its long-term viability be assured.”
Vidrine explained that the announcement is being made now to allow adequate time for teachers to find other employment and for parents to have the opportunity to enroll their students in other schools.
According to Vidrine, area Catholic schools — St. Michael in Crowley, Rayne Catholic, St. Francis in Iota and Maltrait Memorial in Kaplan — “are ready to accept students.”
“St. Michael’s and Rayne Catholic have both graciously offered to allow the parents of the RCS students they accept to pay the RCS tuition amount for their first year to allow an adequate adjustment on the part of the families,” Vidrine wrote, adding, “The Diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools will help find placement for faculty and staff affected by the school’s closure.”
All RCS registration fees collected for the 2019-20 school year will be refunded.
Vidrine said Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will continue its catechetical programs and “we look forward to working with students who will enroll for our CCD classes.”