Driscoll to close despite efforts by parents, alums

Despite a heroic campaign to stop it, Driscoll Catholic High School appears certain to permanently close in June as originally planned.

Christian Brothers of the Midwest, which operates the 43-year-old high school within the Diocese of Joliet, announced Tuesday in an e-mail it is pulling sponsorship due to declining enrollment and a financial shortfall.

The independent religious order rejected an alternate five-year operating plan proposed by a committee representing students, parents, administrators, alumni and the public. The group raised $930,000 in three weeks to keep the Addison school afloat.

Organizers plan to appeal to Joliet Diocese Bishop J. Peter Sartain on Thursday. They will pitch their idea for an independent Catholic high school under the diocese similar to a model created by Notre Dame High School for boys in 2006.

"We're disappointed," said Gene Faut, who spearheaded the ambitious fundraising effort. "It's their decision to make and we have to respect it but, obviously, we disagree with it. Nevertheless, we're prepared to move forward."

Doug Delaney, the bishop's spokesman, said Tuesday it's "unlikely" the diocese will intervene. Still, he said Bishop Sartain wants to hear from the committee.

"It's a sad day," he said. "Closing the school is like a death in the family."

Students and parents outside the school Tuesday were shocked, saddened - and determined to fight at least one more round.

"It was a phenomenal proposal, and I don't understand how they could turn something like that down," said parent MaryJo Zucchero of Addison, a 1986 graduate whose daughter, Nicole, is a freshman. "It's not over yet. We're not done."

As the news spread, student athletes clustered in small groups, including several baseball players who had just posed for a team picture.

"When they tell you your school is closing, your heart just stops," said sophomore Adam Ahlick of Wood Dale. "This is my second family."

Burr Ridge-based Christian Brothers first announced plans to close Driscoll April 2, a day after tuition rates were to be frozen at about $7,000. The committee to save Driscoll made its official pitch April 21, which included a five-year plan to improve enrollment and fiscal management by increasing fundraising and alumni support. The group also started a Web site, savedriscoll.org.

But the religious order cited a 33 percent drop in enrollment in five years, $4 million in investment needs and the weak economy as reasons behind its "painful decision" to close Driscoll.

"Even with the money raised by the parents' group in the past few weeks, the school needs millions more," Brother Francis Carr said in Tuesday's e-mail. "We realize this decision is particularly heartbreaking for you, our students and families."

Driscoll supporters went ahead with a Tuesday night gathering at a local restaurant, and a Sunday enrollment open house for Driscoll's 2009-1010 school year still was planned. If their efforts are lost, Faut said all the donations will be returned.

The campaign to save Driscoll proved "we can definitely boost enrollment and raise enough money to keep operations going," said David Schwabe, director of development. "Once people see the dedication and enthusiasm and heart and soul of the Driscoll community, they want to be a part of it."

The school is known as an athletics powerhouse, having captured seven straight state football championships through 2007 and most recently winning the girls basketball state championship.

"We're in the bishop's hands right now, and I think he knows what a great place this is," said Sean Bieterman, a Driscoll teacher and baseball coach. "Our faith is in his hands."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/Families-Students.pdf">Letter sent out to students, families</a></li> </ul> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.savedriscoll.org/">Official save Driscoll Web site</a></li> </ul> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/story/?id=283713">Driscoll High School through the years </a></li> </ul> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=289269">It's business as usual -- sort of -- as Driscoll works to keep doors open <span class="date">[04/27/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=288121">Brothers need a week to look over Driscoll proposal <span class="date">[04/21/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=287777">Driscoll parents still hoping to save school <span class="date">[04/20/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=287638">DuPage Catholic schools may be better able to cope together <span class="date">[04/20/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=285279">At Driscoll, everybody is a fundraiser to 'give us a chance' <span class="date">[04/08/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=284050">Driscoll's girls basketball state championship in limbo <span class="date">[04/04/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=284073">Cost to save Driscoll could top $3.5 million <span class="date">[04/04/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=284076">Football dynasty ends suddenly <span class="date">[04/03/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=283797">Driscoll spring sports teams won't call it quits <span class="date">[04/03/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=283589">Driscoll Catholic High closing after 43 years <span class="date">[04/02/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>