From staff reports
The parish council at St. Patrick in Franklin decided Wednesday to give supporters of St. Patrick School two weeks to raise $140,000.
The school’s advisory board has launched a determined effort over the last several days to save the school. The parish council had originally planned to vote at Wednesday’s meeting whether to close the school due to concerns about finances and enrollment.
Advisory board members said Tuesday during an interview with the newspaper that the board would have to raise $40,000 to successfully end the 2017-18 year and another $100,000 to make it through the following year. Board members expressed hope that could be done.
St. Patrick School, which educates students in grades preschool through eight, has 54 children enrolled this year. The school would be celebrating its 125-year anniversary next year if it remains open.
The advisory board has indicated it plans to meet again today.
