Will Catholic Schools Closings Cost Taxpayers?

DREXEL HILL, Pa. - Students and alumni are not stopping their fight to keep their Catholic schools open.

Hundreds of people packed a sports field in Drexel Hill this week to show their support for Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast high schools.

This rally was the latest of many at schools slated to be closed in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In all, 49 schools may be closed or consolidated, including 44 elementary and five high schools.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will make a final decision next month once he hears appeals from most of the schools.

But could the closing of at least two schools end up costing taxpayers? FOX 29's Dave Kinchen has that story.

A regular mass at the Catherdral Basilica of Saints Peter And Paul was marked by silent protest carried out by Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast students and alumni, urging the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to keep both schools open.

But the protest was anything but silent before mass.

"It's like, it's heartbreaking," one student said.

Beyond the sadness are the economic realities of his Drexel Hill neighborhood without two major institutions. Rally co-organizer Tricia Scepansky says it would be devastating.

"The effects that it will have in the outlining community is huge. From taxes to overcrowding public schools, it's really just not good. You know, all of the businesses that are around here, it will be affected in a very, very big deal," Scepansky said.

One of those businesses is Civera's Deli. Manager Jeff Rogers says the hit will be big.

"I mean, it will have a huge impact on business, from the sales that we lose with, you know, what we do through the school, and then from the sales that we don't see from the people that come in on a regular basis – teachers, students," Rogers said.

No one knows what will happen to the two buildings if they close. Will they be sold? Archdiocesan sources say it's too early to know.

But neighbors say one thing: Close the schools and they lose a lot more than memories.

"Taxes will go up. It's just not a win-win for anyone. It's a lose situation," said Lisa McCusker, of the Prendergast class of 1982.

Alumni hope and students hope that they can appeal the decision. They're even hoping to raise as much as $2 million to save both schools.

The Archdiocese says it will look at the appeals process next month.

Another rally was held Sunday outside Our Lady of Lourdes in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia. That school has an enrollment of 214 children. It's also on the list to close.