Cost to save Driscoll could top $3.5 million
It would take more than $3.5 million to save Driscoll Catholic High School from shutting its doors - and even that might not be enough, leaders said Friday.
The Addison school is facing a $1 million operating loss by the end of this school year alone, officials from Christian Brothers of the Midwest said.
Christian Brothers oversees the school's administration for the Diocese of Joliet.
"The school board asked for a $3.5 million loan earlier," said Kevin Convey, Christian Brothers' director of education. "We had a meeting (Thursday) with the faculty and the question of saving the school was posed and a very high number came up that the faculty admitted would be 99.9 percent impossible to make."
The powerhouse sports school notified parents, students and faculty Thursday that it was closing at the end of the year because of sagging enrollment and loss of revenue.
A web site, savedriscoll.com, has been started to take signatures for a petition to keep the school open.
Part of the $3.5 million figure discussed Thursday would be earmarked for capital improvements to the school, but a large chunk still would be needed to cover operations.
The school has seen enrollment drop from 465 five years ago to 311 students. Anticipated enrollment next year was targeted around 270, Convey said.
Diocese and Christian Brothers officials were meeting with all the stakeholders Friday evening.
The Diocese also was approached about the loan, Convey said.
In addition to the national economic crunch, Convey said Driscoll offers more financial aid to its students in proportion to most other Catholic schools.
"I believe it's a higher proportion on a need basis," he said. "I think it's safe to say that the need has dramatically increased in all schools given the economy."
Nearby Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst is opening its doors to any displaced students and faculty, Principal Pam Levar said Friday.
She doesn't anticipate more than 50 former Driscoll students applying to her school in the wake of the closing.
She said she expects Benet Academy in Lisle, Montini in Lombard and St. Francis in Wheaton to also help students and staff displaced by Driscoll's closing.
"We have room," she said. "We've had a growth in enrollment the past three years, but we're actually now looking where we can increase sections into the faculty schedule to see where we can add staff."
Driscoll is known for its athletics program, fielding state champion football teams for seven straight years through 2007. In March, the school's girls basketball team also captured the state title.