Diocese of Portland will not operate St. Dominic Academy’s high school in Auburn
AUBURN, Maine - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has announced that it will cease operating the high school division of St. Dominic Academy at the end of the current academic year, but there is a new plan on the table to keep the Auburn campus open.
In a letter sent to families of St. Dominic Academy students Friday morning, Bishop of Portland James Ruggieri said the St. Dominic Regional High School Board had not met the necessary criteria to establish an independent Catholic high school by the diocese’s deadline to make that possible, which was Thursday.
“This decision was made to ensure that students receive a quality Catholic education, that our employees and vendors are treated justly, and that we do not take on risks we cannot bear,” Ruggieri said in the letter.
Ruggieri first announced on March 28 that the diocese had decided to close St. Dominic Academy’s high school division (grades 9-12) at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.
In that announcement, the bishop said the high school program is not “financially solvent” given its current enrollment, which stands at 137 students. He also said the operational losses for St. Dominic Academy from 2020-25 are forecast to be approximately $2.5 million, of which the diocese subsidized about $1 million.
In Friday’s letter, Ruggieri said he has heard from many in the St. Dominic Academy community over the past six weeks.
“You’ve shared your sadness, frustration, and disappointment — in town hall meetings, letters, phone calls, and personal conversations. I am grateful for the deep love and commitment you have for this school community,” Ruggieri said. “I want to recognize and commend the tremendous efforts many of you have made to find a path forward — through fundraising, proposal development, and long hours of work and prayer. But despite all of this, we continue to face serious financial and enrollment challenges that we simply cannot ignore.”
The St. Dominic Regional High School Board had previously requested to purchase the Auburn campus, but the board said it was informed on May 2 that the sale of the property was not possible. The board said it was also assured that no plans had been made to sell the campus.
On Wednesday, the St. Dominic Regional High School Board announced on Facebook that a newly-formed nonprofit board made up of local Catholic leaders, alumni and supporters had submitted a new proposal to diocesan leadership.
The new independent board said it wants to sign a one-year lease of the Auburn campus beginning July 1, and take on full financial and operational responsibility for the school from the Diocese of Portland. That would include all costs related to utilities, maintenance, insurance, staffing and programming.
In addition, the independent board said it has offered to manage the Auburn campus as a school for students in grades 6-12 beginning this fall. The board said that would preserve educational continuity for middle and high school students while giving the diocese time to determine the most sustainable long-term model and location for a primary school campus.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Portland informed Maine’s Total Coverage that the diocese had received the initial proposal from the independent board to lease the Auburn campus and operate an independent Catholic high school during the 2025-26 academic year. The diocese’s spokesperson said the group has been provided with what would be required to be a tenant and to operate a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Portland.
Shortly before 1:10 p.m. Friday, the St. Dominic Regional High School Board said via Facebook that Ruggieri’s message to students’ families “has caused some confusion.”
“The statement that was sent to families made no mention that we’re in a negotiation right now to try to lease the Auburn campus,” said board member Jonathan Labonte.
The board claims that less than 24 hours ago, an agreement was reached to begin leasing negotiations for the school to operate independently at the Auburn campus for the 2025-26 academic year.
“This agreement—dependent on meeting key conditions related to capacity, policy, and curriculum—marks a significant step forward,” the board wrote in a Facebook post. “We remain committed to fostering collaboration and transparency that strengthens Catholic education and serves students and families.”
Ruggieri said in Friday’s letter that he is confident in the future of St. Dominic Academy’s elementary and middle school programs (preK-8), which will be operated at the Holy Cross campus in Lewiston for the 2025-26 academic year. The bishop also said the diocese is already making plans for the years beyond and will share more information with families as it becomes available.
The last day of classes at all St. Dominic Academy schools is scheduled for June 6, according to the calendar on the school’s website.
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