By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Citing a drastic decline in enrollment, the economy, and an aging building as factors that leave the parish with no other option, it was announced yesterday afternoon that St. Mary School on 103 Pine St. will close at the end of this school year.

The Rev. William J. Ledoux, pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, said the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence, has approved his request to merge St. Mary School students with the nearby Woodlawn Catholic Regional School. In a press release, the pastor said he made his request “following consultation with parish trustees, auditors, finance council and school parents. He added, “Declining enrollment, budget deficits and the financially strapped parish’s inability to subsidize the school’s deficits contributed to the merger.”
According to the press release, each child attending St. Mary School is guaranteed a space at Woodlawn Catholic Regional, and the school will hold a special open house for St. Mary families on March 1.
The press release states that since 1999, enrollment has plummeted from 235 to 139. Additionally, it states that the 154-year-old building “is in need of capital improvements to ensure the continued safety of students and staff.”
“As a priest, this is by far one of the most difficult decisions I have made, however I am confident that this was the best solution to ensure that the children are provided with an affordable and viable Catholic education, said Father Ledoux. He added “The commitment of our parish to Catholic education will continue through this stronger entity.”
Father Ledoux said that the merger “will create a stronger school with stabilized tuition rates given the dramatic increase in enrollment should St. Mary students enroll at Woodlawn Catholic Regional.” He said that Woodlawn Catholic has frozen its tuition rates for next year “as a welcoming gesture to St. Mary’s students and to provide some assistance to families during these challenging economic times.” He added that the Woodlawn administration will provide three positions on its board to St. Mary Parish.
According to the press release, on Jan. 21, the parents of St. Mary School students were invited to a meeting at the parish to discuss the many challenges facing the school as well as different proposals for its future. On Friday night, parents were informed of the decision to merge the students with Woodlawn Catholic Regional School. The parishioners who supported the school financially for many years heard the news from Father Ledoux at Masses this past weekend.
The pastor said that there are no immediate plans for the St. Mary School building, which opened in 1855. Should the school building be sold, after paying back a $300,000 loan to the Diocese of Providence that was borrowed to keep the school open, a portion of the proceeds will be made available for scholarships for St. Mary parishioners who attend Woodlawn.
Teachers displaced by the merger will be provided priority placement at other Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Providence and will be the first to be hired should any positions open at Woodlawn, according to the press release. Father Ledoux said the decision was announced earlier than usual to provide the teachers and other staff with time to begin searching for a new position.
“I would again like to express my sincere gratitude to all whose support and efforts have enabled the school to provide a Catholic education to children for 154 years,” added Father Ledoux. “I am hopeful that St. Mary’s parents will see the wonderful value of Woodlawn Catholic Regional and enroll their children in this wonderful school that is going to great lengths to welcome the students of St. Mary’s School.”
After this merger, there will remain three Catholic elementary schools in the city. Last year, St. Leo the Great School on Central Avenue closed for the same reasons: increased costs and declining enrollment.