The Congrégation des Soeurs Sainte-Marcelline does not intend to renew the lease of Villa Sainte-Marcelline, a French-language private school in Montreal that welcomes hundreds of girls from kindergarten to secondary 5. The news, which the school did not see coming, sent shock waves through parents, students and teachers, and the community is mobilizing to find solutions.
“The structural and financial situation of the Villa is such that the Congregation faces the moral obligation to make a painful decision, but necessary for the safety of the students and staff,” reads a communication dated October 6. and signed by Sister Marielle Dion, president of the board of directors of the school, that The duty consulted.
The Sisters are “unable” to renew the lease, citing the aging condition of the buildings. Following the evaluation of engineering and architectural firms, the finding is that “approximately 12 to 16 million dollars must be invested to ensure the conformity and modernity of buildings”. And this, in a context of “declining religious vocation” and “significant financial challenges”, which makes it more difficult for the congregation to maintain its buildings.
Since then, the community has “worked hard” to find solutions and avoid the closure, in an “unprecedented mobilization effort”, says Isabelle Roy, former diplomat, president of the Association of alumni of the Villa Sainte- Marcelline and member of the Board of Directors. “Like everyone else, we learned the news with great shock. We were neither informed nor consulted, she says. There are options and not all avenues have been explored. We hope to establish a real dialogue with the Congregation”.
Seven Board administrators, including Isabelle Roy, wrote a letter advising of their intention not to vote in favor of closing the school. We say we want to “identify a way to keep this unique school alive, even if it means relocating or partnering with another school”.
In a press release released on Saturday, the general management specifies that a meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for Thursday to discuss “questions relating to the future of the institution and to take the appropriate decisions”.
“The general management of the Villa Sainte-Marcelline intends to support the initiatives of all the stakeholders promoting the sustainability of the institution”, we write. Management does not wish to grant an interview prior to the board meeting.
In a question and answer section intended for parents, the establishment indicates that it was taken by surprise by the announcement of the congregation, made on the evening of October 5 to the members of the Board of Directors.
It is added that the lawyer for the Sisters of Sainte-Marcelline summons the institution to leave the premises by July 1, 2023.