Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools to stop using St. John campus after this school year

MONROE — Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools will stop using its 108-year-old St. John campus for classrooms at the end of this school year. The 1916 structure remains safe to occupy, and the gym and cafeteria side of the building will continue to be used for CYO and parish events next year. The building's future will be determined.

MCES educates infants through eighth-grade students at three Monroe campuses, St. Michael, St. Mary and St. John, which houses grades 2-4.

The St. John campus, 521 S. Monroe St., was evaluated recently by the Archdiocese of Detroit and was found to need several necessary and costly upgrades.

“Some of the needed upgrades include roof, windows, foundation work and HVAC,” said Kyle Kubik, executive principal for MCES. “The evaluation was routine by the archdiocese and the Parish Finance Council. They were working to establish a needs list for the parish campus.”

St. John parish is not able to pay for the upgrades because of a decline in offerings.

"The costs were prohibitive to the parish finances," Kubik said.

“In recent years, there has been a decline in active participation at St. John the Baptist parish, leading to lower offertory,” according to a frequently asked questions document about the closure. “The combined cost of all the projects is not feasible, when second, third and fourth grades could be housed at the other MCES campuses. We are grateful that our buildings are located in such close proximity, which will facilitate an easier adjustment for all."

The AOD and the finance council will determine the next steps for the school building.

St. John will be used through the end of this school year. There is no safety risk to students and staff.

“There are no concerns about the safety of the building in the immediate future. Rather, we are looking ahead at future major expenditures that would be cost-prohibitive. I want to emphasize that the educational mission of our three parishes and MCES in the city of Monroe remains unwavering,” said the Rev. David Burgard, pastor of Sts. Mary and John churches and the MCES pastor delegate, in a letter to parishioners. The letter also was signed by the Rev. Kishore Battu, pastor of St. Michael Church, and Kubik.

For decades, all three parishes operated their own elementary schools. High school students went to St. Mary Catholic Central High School, as they do today. In 2011, after three years of planning, the three elementary schools merged to form MCES. Different grade levels were housed in each building.

Kubik and the MCES leadership are working on plans for the 2024-25 school year.

There are no plans to reduce staff. So far, it's been determined that second grade will be relocated to the St. Michael campus, 510 W. Front Street. St. Michael already houses infants through first grade classes. Third and fourth graders will be moved to the St. Mary campus, 151 N. Monroe Street. St. Mary already houses fifth through eighth grades.

According to the FAQ document, the younger students at St. Mary will be in a separate wing from the older students, and they will have their own bathrooms.

“Students in third and fourth grades will still remain in self-contained classrooms and not participate in the middle school schedule, as fifth through eighth graders do,” said the document. “They will also eat lunch separately from the middle school students in the St. Mary Parish Life Center."

St. Mary's lockers will be rearranged to accommodate more students. Other work at Sts. Mary and Michael campuses will be cosmetic, such as new paint and carpeting.

MCES said offering more grades in just two buildings will allow the re-establishment of a buddies program.

Burgard said in the letter that the decision to close the St. John campus was not about enrollment.

“It is important to note that MCES has had and continues to have stable enrollment. This decision is not based on any concern with MCES’ enrollment or finances, but rather on our desire to serve as responsible stewards of St. John parish’s resources, which must be protected to ensure the parish’s viability," he said.

St. John will continue to be included in MCES, in the form of sacraments, pastoral support and financial investment.

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"We plan to still celebrate an all-school Mass at St. John the Baptist Church," Burgard said in the letter. "The legacy of St. John the Baptist School and MCES-St. John Campus will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we are grateful for the memories, achievements and community that has thrived within its walls."

MCES will hold an an open house from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the St. Michael and St. Mary campuses.

To view the closure letter and the FAQ document, visit tinyurl.com/444nfhsu. To learn more about MCES, visit mcesmonroe.com.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: MCES to stop using St. John campus after this school year