Fight continues to save Holy Rosary

GENESEE TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -- (05/12/09)--For months, parents and staff at a Genesee County Catholic school have fought to keep the doors open after the Diocese announced it would close next school year.

Tuesday night, the organizer of the effort to save Holy Rosary School in Genesee Township says a decision could come as early as Wednesday.

Bob Winford has been working with parents, determined not to see the school close for good. He says parents should know what will happen to the school by the end of the week.

After 16 weeks of strategizing, recruiting and fundraising, parents at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Genesee Township are in the final stretch.

The organizer of the fight to keep the school open says a decision will come this week.

"The group of the decision makers are getting together," Winford said.

"My understanding is the decision will be made (Wednesday), and will be handed down to whoever is going to receive it by Friday."

A Diocese spokesperson says he wasn't aware when a decision will be made on the school, but says there is a criteria for Holy Rosary to survive.

"We had to have 105 students and we had to pay off all of the debt," Winford said.

"We had to have all of the students registered. That amounted to $67,000. So we raised the money, and we're well on our way to those students."

He says there are roughly 93 students enrolled. But parents and students are keeping the faith that their school will be open at the start of the 2009-2010 school year.

"When I heard they wanted to close school I was shocked because this school is so great," said Matthew Smith.

"Everything so far has worked in our favor, and it just feels like God has been with us the whole way," said parent Dawn Thompson.

Most of the people are positive that things will work out in their favor.

In fact, a celebration is planned for Friday if they get the news the school will stay open.

            Find out what everyone else is viewing on abc12.com         
| More Mid-Michigan and Flint news | ABC12 News at a glance |
              | abc12togo.com wireless  | Get us on your iPhone |
            | ABC12 Desktop Alert Tool | abc12.com newsletters |
                     | Visit us on Facebook | Report a typo |
                                       | Follow us on Twitter |

 

Comment on this story below and we may read what you have to say on the air.

Get more Local »

local, matt franklin

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•