Burlington school in need of $250,000 to stay open

BURLINGTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Students in Burlington, New Jersey have a different kind of Christmas wish this year: to save their school.

St. Paul School in Burlington City is fighting for its life. The Diocese of Trenton and St. Katherine Drexel Parish can no longer support the school, and if they can't raise $250,000 by January 15, they will have to close in June.

"We've lost registrations and the economy is the economy - things happen. But we really feel if we were to be able to exist for at least a few more years with some subsidies, some extra money, we would be able to turn this around," said Bill Robbins, principal.

"It's devastating to know this could happen but I think we can actually do it because there's so many people who just love this school," said Isabella Ochalik, student.

St. Paul's was started back in 1870 and now has 164 students from pre-K to eighth-grade.

Tuition here is $4,100 a year, but that doesn't cover operating costs. Now the push is on to raise a quarter million dollars in just over a month.

"We're trying to reach those people beyond the doors right here so we are not tapping the same people who are already donating," said Lucy Tomczynski, parent.

The school is selling wristbands, planning dances and beef and beer dinners - a variety of events to appeal to the community for help.

"Many other schools have raised way more than that in like two weeks, so I have faith and hope that we can do it," said Heather Storz, student.

Students are doing their part, signing pledges to Santa Claus - giving up some of their Christmas presents if he or others will donate the money instead to the save St. Paul school fund.

"He probably knows about our school closing so I think he may give us some money to donate to the school," said Brian Chewning, student.

"It's a big deal because a lot of people want presents for Christmas and have a lot of stuff that they need and want," said Sean Tomczysnki, student.

"If it means they have to tell Santa, 'I don't want that Lego toy' or 'I don't want that robot toy this year,' they are okay with that because this place is a gift to them every day and they know that," said Kerri Chewning, PTA president.

If the school raises all the money, it'll be a temporary reprieve. They'll have to do the same thing next year and every year to keep St. Paul's opened.

If you would like to donate visit: www.savestpaulschool.com.