By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent

Eagle River school closes

EAGLE RIVER -- A 77-year tradition of Catholic education at St. Peter the Fisherman School ended May 28 as its doors were permanently closed. A small, hushed group came together as Fr. Robert Koszarek, pastor, led a procession of prayer and song through the deserted school before officially locking the building which has welcomed more than 800 students over the years.

Some shed tears as mementos and symbols of the school were gathered and they said good-bye to the place where they, their friends and family had learned the lessons of life -- well beyond those found in textbooks.

"The combination of the financial cost of continuing our school, its declining enrollment and our parish debts have led us to this reluctant decision," Koszarek said. "We have gone through all of the painful steps in that regard, and we are now face-to-face with this historic day.

"I am not an anti-school pastor," he added. "In my 30 years as a priest, I have never been in a parish without a school. But you have to play the hand you are dealt, and I am also a realist. The Catholic Church is bigger than just Catholic schools. This is the only way to get the parish to a sound financial status."

With this year's enrollment at just over 50 students, the parish subsidy had risen to 65 percent, Koszarek noted. The need for a new church, which was dedicated last year, had already stretched the parish's financial resources. "We initially thought there would be other sources of funding for Catholic education, but we weren't able to tap into them," Koszarek said.

Not all agree that closing the school is the right decision, and many are struggling with frustration and anger. Amy and Tony Justice were the only parents to bring a student to the closing ritual. No other students or teachers were among the approximately 20 people who attended.

The Justices have deep roots in both the school and church, and they had hoped that their children would graduate from St. Peter School. "I went to school here; my mother taught here," said Tony Justice. "I am not happy with the events that have occurred. I am saddened that so few people think they can control so many."

"I am afraid for our youth," Amy Justice added. "What will their future be if our church doesn't stand behind them?" She is one of several parents who are moving forward with plans to start a Christian school in Eagle River.

There remain 15 Catholic elementary schools in the Superior diocese. The last to close before St. Peter was Holy Family in Bayfield in 2001.

"We need schools to help form our children. We aren't giving up on that," said Phyllis Schlagel, superintendent of schools for the diocese. "There is a sadness in my heart.

"St. Peter was a very good school with excellent leadership," she continued. "The parents worked hard, and the children were well educated. It is very hard for me to see it go."

Ultimately it is the pastor, along with the pastoral and finance councils, that makes the decision to close a school, Schlagel explained. An audit was done by the diocese before the closing was officially approved.

"Throughout its history, St. Peter School has had many financial challenges," Koszarek said. "It was never easy keeping the doors open, and many were the times when the question of closing was raised. Now that it has happened, we shouldn't hang our heads, but should hold them high. This is great, even heroic, work that we are concluding.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004