By John Burton
MIDDLETOWN – Where there’s life there’s hope, believe some associated with Mater Dei Prep High School, as they begin plans to save their school.
Following the stunning and abrupt news Tuesday evening that Mater Dei Prep, 538 Church St., would be closing its doors for good this June, people began efforts to find a way to save the school.
School supporters have established a gofundme.com page encouraging the public to make a financial contribution to try the save the school.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 66 people donated $5,125 to the page called “Save the Seraphs.” The seraph, an angelic being in Christianity, has been the school’s mascot.
Students and others have taken to social media, establishing a Facebook page, Save Our School – Mater Dei Prep, and going on Twitter, spreading the word and promising there will be future fundraisers and rallies to show their dedication to preserving the school, which has been operating for 50 years.
Along with the gofundme campaign, supporters have planned their first rally, 9 a.m., Sunday in front of Mary, Mother of God Church, the Roman Catholic Church affiliated with Mater Dei and St. Mary Elementary School.
“We’re just trying to get as much publicity as we can, just trying to get the word out there,” said Kayla Greiss, Union Beach resident and sophomore at Mater Dei.
The Rev. Jeff Kegley, Roman Catholic priest who serves as pastor, posted a letter on the school’s website, dropping the bombshell that Mater Dei would close at the end of the school year.
Kegley said the reason was a destabilized enrollment and continuing precarious financial deficits, which this year would very possibly top $1 million.
Kegley did not return a call seeking comment by press time on Wednesday.
Greiss and other students “just got into school today and are trying everything we can to save it,” she said.
“Mater Dei is the best choice I ever made,” Greiss maintained about her and her family’s decision for her to attend the high school. “Being here I made great friends, there are great teachers who really care about everyone.
“It’s more like a family than a school,” Greiss believed
“It’s been a wonderful school,” said Jean Zeuschner, whose daughter, Amanda, is a sophomore. “The kids have loved it and are excelling there.
“It’s a shame to see this happen,” she said.
As upsetting as the closure news was, parents were outraged by how it was handled.
“They were pretty upset,” Greiss said of her parents.
Zeuschner said she along with other families received a phone blast message Tuesday directing them to the school’s website and Kegley’s letter.
There had been no prior warning or seemingly public efforts to address the financial situation, Zeuschner said, and even more disturbing was the lack of concern for families, students and staff. “It really was very poorly handled,” she said.
“We haven’t heard anything from him,” Greiss said, meaning Kegley. “We have a lot of questions.”
“Our reaction is shock and devastation,” said Tinton Falls resident Elizabeth Wulfhorst, whose daughter, Emma, is in the junior at Mater Dei. “We don’t understand the suddenness and timing of it.”
John Burton can be reached at jburton@tworivertimes.com.
