FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — Students of All Saints School in Masontown will be forced to attend a new school in the fall.
The Diocese of Greensburg decided to close the school, which has experienced declining enrollment in recent years and had begun to accumulate debt.
Channel 11’s Joe Holden reported that 62 students were enrolled in the school last year, and only 41 had registered for the upcoming school year prior to Monday’s announced closure.
Parents and teachers were saddened to learn that the school’s plan to remain open was rejected by the diocese.
“The kids are like family to us. Their parents are like family to us. They’re devastated. We’re devastated,” said pre-school teacher Paula Volansky. “We had parents helping us move our things out yesterday. Kids crying helping us move our things. That’s how close we all are, and we didn't see it coming.”
Sixth-grade teacher Susan Catanzarite said, “I really feel lost, as if there's nowhere to turn. These people have been a part of my life for my entire life.”
The closure of All Saints School comes after six area parishes merged in June.
According to the diocese, other schools in the area will work with All Saints families to enroll displaced students.
WPXI
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