St. Pius X School In Montville Closing For Good

MONTVILLE, NJ — After 45 years, St. Pius X School in Montville will close its doors for good when summer break starts. The school, which serves students in pre-school through eight grade, announced its sudden closure just days before the end of the year.

An email was sent out out to parents Monday night informing them of a Tuesday night meeting to discuss the future of the school. It was at that meeting, with just two days left in the school year, that parents were informed there would be no school left for their children to return to this fall.

A school official confirmed to Patch that the school was closing, but declined to give any additional information. As of June 14, only 102 students were enrolled for the next school year, Father Mark Olenowski said at the Tuesday night meeting, and the school was facing a six-figure budget gap. That enrollment number is down from the 2017-2018 school year, when 130 students were enrolled.

Heather Pace Sluck, whose three children attended the school, told Patch the school was facing low enrollment and had increased tuition by about $1,000 per student in April as a way to keep the school open. At that April meeting parents were told the school would be open for the 2018-2019 year and if enrollment didn't increase, then the 2019-2020 school year would be discussed.

Sluck said the sudden school closure was a loss for the community, and many parents have decided they will not return to St. Pius Church so long as Olenowski is still the pastor.

As of Thursday morning, the school website still says it's accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year.

Patch has reached out to the Diocese of Paterson for comment, but have not yet heard back.

Image: A photo of all of St. Pius X's final students, on the school's last day open. Submitted by Heather Pace Sluck, used with permission