St. Thomas Votes 13-5 For School

St. TinJmas Élemenfary "anÖ High Schools will stay open at least until 1975. The Parish Council, the governing body of the parish, made the decisión last night - voting 13 to 5 to keep the school open while study of paróchial education in Washtenaw County continúes. An alternative solution to close down the top three grades to save money was rejected by the council. Leo Wagner, principal of St. Thomas High School, said the expected occurred at last night's meeting. The Education Co'romission of the Council recommended the school stay open at least two years. The Council amended the motion to three years. Bernard Pilon, president of the school board, said the financial details have not I been worked out for keeping the school open. During 1969-70, St. Thomas incurred a $75,000 deficit, from a $405,000 operating budget. Claude Morehouse, chairman of the Parish Council, said the parish I cit had been reduced to $66,000. "Basieally, we'll continue with our I present method of financing through I tion and church subsidies," Morehouse I said. I ISince the passage of the anti-parochiaid amendment to the Michigan Constituüon on Nov. 3, 1970, the future of St. Thomas has been in doubt. Following the parochiaid vote, Msgr. Vincent Howard, pastor of St. Thomas, said closing of the school was inevitable. "I think it's a matter of time. We can't go on forever on good will and determination. It also takes money, and we haven't got it." Msgr. Howard was not available for comment today. Morehouse said the Education Commission will study at least two alternative parochial systems. One would be a vicariate high school supported by the parishes in the Washtenaw County area. The second alternative would be Christian school, including Protestants and Catholics who would share facilities in the academie subjects and have separate I religión courses. I Eighth grade pupils were among St. I Thomas students and parents who exI pressed concern over the possible closI ing of the parochial school. The students I wrote a letter to the Council explaining I their position. The letter opened: "We, the students of the eighth grade at St. Thomas wish to continue to attend this school throughout our high school years. We have come I to value Christian education greatly here at our school. Since the school decisión will affect our lives directly, we wish to make our opinión known to' the council and all members of the parish . "One of the many reasons we value Christian education is because it allows us to fully understand and adapt to our environment."