By John Burton
MIDDLETOWN – A startling announcement this week is marking the end of an era, as Mater Dei Prep High School announced its plans to shutter its doors in June.
The Rev. Jeff Kegley, pastor of the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Parish, posted a letter on the school’s website announcing its closure and referred all inquiries there.
Mater Dei Prep, 538 Church St., in the township’s New Monmouth section, “has been running large financial deficits and enrollment numbers have not stabilized to the point of sufficiently supporting the school’s viability,” and it was his and the parish finance council’s hope that trend could be reversed. Kegley said in his announcement, however, the 2014-15 projected loss for the school is close to $1 million.
“Our parish and diocesan assistance, fundraising and tuition can no longer meet the school’s financial obligation,” Kegley acknowledged.
The school, which has been operating for 50 years and boasted the largest incoming freshman class in a decade this September, will close at the end of the current school year.
The closure is not expected to affect current school operations. “Classes and activities will continue until the end of June as planned,” Kegley said.
There are currently 340 students from 20 area communities attending Mater Dei, which employs 48 faculty and staff.
St. Mary Elementary School, located next to the high school, will continue operations as will St. Mary, Mother of God Church.
The elementary school has 680 students enrolled and is the largest Catholic elementary school in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
The Diocese of Trenton’s Department of Catholic Education is expected to offer Mater Dei families information about area Catholic schools, Kegley said.
Kegley did not return a phone call seeking comment by press time on Wednesday.
The diocese department of education did not offer a statement from Bishop David M. O’Connell on Wednesday, as the bishop was recovering from recent surgery, according to Rayanne Bennett. But, Bennett said, the local pastor was responsible for the decision in consultation with the parish council and the bishop.
Diocese offices were referring callers to the school’s website, which has Kegley’s letter.
“It’s a sad day for all of us,” said Robert Abetamarco, principal of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank. “When you lose a school with that kind of tradition, storied past, it’s just such a sad thing.
Abetamarco was scheduled on Wednesday afternoon to participate in a conference call with diocese representatives and those from other area Catholic schools to discuss “ways to help facilitate these families in their transition and continue their Catholic education,” he said.
“I am sure I speak for everybody when I say we’ll do all that we can to make them feel welcome wherever they go,” Abetamarco said.
Brother Frank Burns, president of Christian Brothers Academy, an all-boys Catholic school, Lincroft, said on Wednesday about Mater Dei’s efforts, “I know they were putting their best efforts into keeping the school going,” he learned from his conversations with that school’s officials. “I know they were trying to make a go of it.”
He, like Abetamarco, offered his support in assisting families, as much as he could.
“Anything we can do, we will,” he said. But, Burns said registration for the incoming freshman class is at capacity and there is a waiting list of 60 students and “We have to honor our commitment to them,” he said.
For parents and students, it was shock and anger over not only the message, but also the way the message was delivered.
“We don’t understand the suddenness and timing of it,” said Tinton Falls resident Elizabeth Wulfhorst, whose daughter Emma is a junior at Mater Dei. “Why wasn’t there a plan in place to graduate the existing students?’
Wulfhorst said she was “blindsided” by the abrupt delivery of the end.
Parents on Tuesday received a phone blast message directing them to an important message on the school’s website, said parent Jean Zeuschner. “I think it was very poor communication and delivery.”
“It just kind of came out of nowhere,” observed sophomore Kayla Greiss, Union Beach, speaking of the news. “None of us saw this coming.
“Everyone is pretty upset; everyone is heartbroken,” Greiss said.
With reporting contributions by Christina Johnson and Muriel Smith
