St. Gabriel School Supporters Raise $8K in One Day; Seek Independent School

They’re not going to give up without a fight.

In just one day supporters of St. Gabriel School have raised $8,465 via 47 donations in an effort to save the school from closing as planned in June.

The school has a $111,709 operating deficit, and just 139 enrolled students, the Milford Mirror reports.

Parents led by Aimee Liseo Vail are fighting to keep the school open and have started the GoFundMe campaign.

The goal of the GoFundMe has been detailed here:

“We are more than just a school that is closing, which was decided by St. Gabriel parish leaders on January 26, 2016.We are a community of wonderful children, parents, teachers, staff, parishioners, alumni and concerned citizens. We love our school community and want desperately to stay open despite the decision.

We are raising money to obtain a new building to have an independent school and keep it in operation so that our special needs children and our other wonderful kids can have a place to go without disruption in their lives. Thank you for your support. The money will stay in gofundme until the corporation is formed and has a bank account. If the effort fails everyone gets a refund less the fee that gofundme Charges,” according to the GoFundMe.

The decision to close in June for good was based on finances, birthrate and demographics and had nothing to do with academics, the New Haven Register reports.

There was talk of a merger between St. Mary’s School and St. Gabriel School but in the end that was decided against. However, St. Mary’s will offer annual $500 scholarships for two years to any St. Gabriel student who transfers to St. Mary’s School.