Merger or not, Holy Ghost in Wood Dale to remain open

Whether plans move forward for a merger between Holy Ghost School in Wood Dale and St. Peter the Apostle School in Itasca, Joliet Diocese officials say Holy Ghost will remain open next school year.

"I think it's going to be difficult for the school, but the commitment from the Diocese is just as strong (to keep a school in the area)," said Doug Delaney, spokesman for Bishop J. Peter Sartain.

The Diocese announced the merger in January due to low enrollment at both institutions. Plans stated the Holy Ghost site had more amenities and would become the new school. Ideally, it would gain a new name, governing body and most students from St. Peter, officials said.

But earlier this month, more than half the parents from St. Peter wrote a letter to Sartain expressing disappointment with the merger - and only three of the 117 students from St. Peter enrolled for next year at Holy Ghost.

Now Diocese officials say they hope some parents will have a change of heart, especially as five St. Peter teachers move to Holy Ghost.

"Hopefully some kids and parents will see that as a sign that this can work as a merger," Delaney said. "One of the big things with school closures and mergers is that it's difficult for the children, because they are used to the teachers and their style. So this might help people look forward."

It is still undecided if there will be a name change or other merger adjustments, or if Holy Ghost will remain as its own entity, said Delaney.

Officials added they expect Holy Ghost's enrollment of 163 students to grow eventually, as families of kindergartners and residents new to the area join the school.

Delaney said 225 students would be the key number to make Holy Ghost, which serves kindergarten through eighth-grade, stable again.

The merger of Holy Ghost and St. Peter is part of a larger plan the Joliet Diocese unveiled early this year that involves about 40 schools and parishes. The process will unfold over about a decade and involves closing four schools, merging others, and opening new schools in areas experiencing an increase in Catholic residents. The plan also calls for trying to stabilize some schools with sagging enrollment and trying to help with fundraising initiatives.

"The bishop hopes this will strengthen Catholic education in the long run," Delaney said.

A detailed copy of the plan, "Lighting the Path to Our Future: Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools is available at dioceseofjoliet.org.