Diocese to close Mission School at Hays for a year

The Great Falls-Billings Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church is closing a more-than-a-century-old school in Hays due to staffing shortages with the hopes of reopening it a year later.

A letter from Bishop Michael Warfel to parents, parishioners and community members of St. Paul Mission Grade School, forwarded to Havre Daily News, says the school will stay open through May but not reopen next fall.

“Our hope is we can reorganize the school and reopen in the following year,” Warfel wrote in the letter.

The diocese had not responded to a request for comment by printing deadline this morning.

Warfel wrote that the diocese does not believe it will have enough teachers or a certified principal to reopen next fall.

The school has a history going back to the late 1800s, he wrote, and has served all grades including running as a high school. Fires have burned down three school buildings and it has been closed at times, but through the efforts of the Sparkill Dominicans, the Jesuits, the Franciscan sisters of Milwaukee, the Jesuit Volunteers and many, many more Catholic educators, it has survived, he wrote.

The school’s history is not all praise-worthy. It also has been the site of reports of sexual abuse alleged to have occurred over the decades. The diocese made a $20 million settlement in 2018 with 86 plaintiffs in a case alleging sexual abuse in the diocese including at the school.

Warfel wrote that, becuase the plans are to pursue reopen the school, the diocese will not sell off or redistribute the school’s resources.

He wrote that the school will remain open through May and the diocese will being planning next fall for its reopening, with the St. Paul Education Association taking the lead in that planning in conjunction with the diocesan superintendent.

He wrote that they cannot gather for an in-person community forum now, but will plan to do so when it is safe to have a meeting.

Warfel said the Missionary Sisters of Divine Providence have served the school for the past three years, and he is grateful to the faculty and staff who have continued to teach during the pandemic year of remote instruction, “especially May Byrne, who has served as the kindergarten teacher, interim principal, cook, janitor and bus driver this year.”

“I am aware that this is difficult news for many of our students and parents who treasure Mission Grade School,” Warfel wrote. “You will remain in my prayers as we face this uncertain future and disruption to your lives.”