September 18, 2013 // Local

Diocese, St. Rose Parish signs purchase agreement on Monroeville Elementary School building

Todays Catholic

Diocesan and St. Rose Parish representatives are shown at the signing of the purchase agreement of the Monroeville Elementary School facility from East Allen County Schools. Representatives at the signing include, from left, Diane Schane and Carolyn Kirkendall, the retired principal from St. Joseph School, Father Lourdino Fernandes, pastor of St. Rose of Lima, East Allen County Schools’ attorney Jon Bomberger with Faegre Baker Daniels law firm, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dr. Mark Myers, and St. Joseph School Principal Stan Liponoga.

MONROEVILLE — The centennial dream of St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Rose of Lima Church, Monroeville, has finally been realized. Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades signed the purchase agreement with East Allen County Schools on behalf of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and St. Rose of Lima Church on Aug. 30. The purchase of the building was part of the 2012 centennial celebrations of St. Joseph School, Monroeville. After careful consideration of the future needs of St. Joseph Catholic School to provide excellence in Catholic education for the 21st century, the committee decided that purchasing the Monroeville Elementary School building would be a most worthy centenary project and an investment in the future of children and St. Joseph School for the next 100 years.

The Monroeville Elementary building’s layout and floor plan is conducive for instruction and learning. “In this day of ever changing and advancing technology, the building is wired for our present and immediate future technology needs,” noted St. Rose pastor Father Lourdino Fernandes.

The school has 17 classrooms with a typical size of 1,200 sq. feet each. All classrooms include restrooms, drinking fountains and sinks which would eliminate the need for students leaving the classroom, causing less interruptions and disruptions. The school also has special classrooms such as: art, music/band, computer lab, media center, conference room, guidance room, clinic, teacher’s lounge, administrative office rooms, etc.

The building offers a gymnasium with large wood floor, wood bleachers on each side, five swing-up goals, fixed goal and has the provision of separate locker and changing rooms for boys and girls. The spacious gym would provide an ideal place for weekly physical education classes, daily exercise, sports’ programs, and when needed, indoor recess.

The school has a large playground area, which can accommodate playground equipment. In addition, the school has a large kitchen and cafeteria.

The three parking lots provide reasonable parking for all. It has a safe student play area south of the building and a well designed access drive for parent dropoff/pick-up off of Monroe Street and bus drop-off/pick-up off of Mill Street.

The building is handicap accessible. There is room to expand and grow.

The Monroeville Elementary School has a building area of 63,199 square feet and a site area of four acres.

“In short, St. Rose Parish’s present and future children would have a facility that would be comfortable and very conducive to receiving an excellent Christ-centered education, a tradition of St. Joseph School,” said Father Fernandes.

He added, “The bold decision by St. Rose of Lima Church, Monroeville, to purchase the Monroeville Elementary School facility is a great contribution to the larger community of Monroeville.”

“This precious asset of a good school will now be preserved for future generations and the children from Monroeville,” he said, “and neighboring towns can have access to excellent, value oriented and Christ-centered education.”

“St. Joseph is committed to make Catholic education affordable and accessible to low and middle-income families,” Father Fernandes said.