Danos acquires Shamrock Energy Solutions
February 13, 2019
Thilda Maiorana
February 14, 2019
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has reversed a decision to close an elementary school in its system that as served local families for more than half a century.
The diocese had announced last week that the school at 324 Estate Drive would close at the end of this school year, throwing parents into a frenzy and raising concerns that there might not be enough space at other elementary schools in the diocesan system to accommodate children forced to transfer.
The Very Rev. Shelton Fabre made the decision to keep the school open after a sometime contentious “listening session” with families conducted with other officials of the diocesan system, attended by more than 100 parents and parishioners.
“It was revealed that the school’s dire financial straits of the past several years had not been effectively communicated to them from the parish,” Bishop Fabre said Monday. “After hearing their impassioned pleas and their strong desire to save their school, I thought it best to give them one year to develop a concrete plan of action to remedy their dire financial situation and to establish a feasible, long-term viability plan for their school.”
Parents and other relatives of students made no secret of their displeasure at the Sunday meeting, with criticism directed at the bishop for their not having advance warning of the closure decision. Both Bishop Fabre and Thibodeux were interrupted during the initial portion of the meeting, with one person hollering at Thibodeaux — himself a former Maria Immacolata student — to shut up.
“If y’all would have came to us two years ago we could have done something to help, to support the school, to keep the school open,” one parent said.
Sharp criticism was leveled by principal Prissy Davis, who described multiple meetings within the parish of Maria Immacolata over two years. Various issues at those meetings were discussed, she said, including structural problems at the school building.
“Never did I ever think that the
the diocese was considering closing our school,” she said.
The Rev. Joey Pilola, Maria Immacolata Church’s pastor, spoke of attempts to save the school over the past two years including 300 letters sent to parishioners who did not have children at the school, to which he received “zero response.”
Father Joey, as he is referred to by parishioners, apologized to those present, appearing to shoulder the burden of communication not being more clearly made.
After announcement of the now-derailed closure, diocesan officials had stated that other schools in the diocese had planned open houses for parents who wished venues to further their children’s educations in Catholic school settings, a matter that is now apparently moot.
Despite a press release announcing that the school would close, Marta Immacolata School will stay open after Bishop Fabre heard concerns from the area.
