LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Following the announcement of Christian Academy of Louisville Southwest Campus (CAL-SW) closure, families are now trying to reverse that decision.

On Oct. 19 Christian Academy School System (CASS) announced it would consolidate its Southwest Campus in Louisville at the end of the school year, citing a lack of growth in enrollment.

However, parents have now banned together and created a proposal and petition for CASS administrators and board of directors to consider to reverse the decision to close the K-8th grade school.

Khalil Batshon is a parent of three current CAL-SW students. Batshon is also a Louisville Metro Councilmember but spoke to WDRB in the capacity as a parent.

"We understand why the decision was made," Batshon said. "I totally get it, but the communication of the way it happened was what was the biggest blow.” 

Batshon said there were no warning signs leading up to the announcement of its closure.

He supports the proposal and petition put together by parents.

The petition has already garnered hundreds of signatures since its posting on Nov. 29.

"The south end is a very tight-knit family and when you tell us something is wrong or something's in trouble, we'll do everything we can to make it right," Batshon said. 

In the proposal, the outcome reads, "We ultimately aim to maintain the positive, irreplaceable elements of the Southwest campus school-- close-knit, familial community, Christian Covenant values, academic rigor-- and augment it with programs and opportunities that will bring positive revenue streams as well as incorporate increased community engagement. This latter effort will increase exposure and connection to the community with residual positive marketing impact on continued enrollment and growth." 

The proposal asks CASS to grant CAL-SW a three-year grace period. Organizers hope it can prove the Southwest campus can reach and maintain enrollment to about 80% capacity and find additional funds.

"They wanted 398 (students) and they were at 250," Batshon said. "Now that we know what the problem is, give us the opportunity to make change, so hopefully we can get people to sign the petition and bring it to leadership and have them hopefully reconsider."

The proposal also includes a plan to address, "long-term and recurring budget deficit in three phases."

The proposal said immediate funds would be sought through large, one-time donations to cover operational deficits for the next three years. The goal is to raise this money by June 1, 2024. Organizers also hope to gain funds through additional programs including: a homeschool co-op pilot program, grants, and if needed, revisions to tuition. 

Immediate goals listed on the proposal include garnering 1,000 signatures on its petition, 300 families "committed" to attending CAL-SW, and $3 million pledged. 

The proposal also reads, "If after the three years CASS chooses to pursue the consolidation, we propose the creation of a new school that will be managed by a completely new entity to take over the location at 8307 St. Andrews Church Road, Louisville, KY 40258. This new school entity will be led by a board with majority representation from the local Southwest community defined for this purpose as within a 10-mile radius of the school's location. Current staff, teachers, and students would be invited to stay. The projected timeline for the new school to take over the location would be July 1, 2027."

Batshon said school leaders are "listening" to the proposal, but haven't given any answers yet.

"We thank you for listening, right, so give us the opportunity to, to make it right," Batshon said.

WDRB reached out to CASS for comment on the proposal,  and received the following response:

We are actively moving forward with the announced consolidation plans for our Southwest campus. We are aware that a few parents are petitioning other families but the School Board has not been presented with any viable proposals.

We continue to partner with our current employees and families who want to transition to our Middletown or New Albany campuses. These efforts include prioritized admissions and job opportunities, 3-year tuition arrangements, and free bus transportation. We continue to pray for discernment for each of our families and employees through this transition.

Following the announcement of its closure, CASS said it was working to expand its Indiana campus and offered spots for current CAL-SW students to attend in New Albany. CASS said it would also provide bus transportation from southwest Louisville to facilitate the transition.

"Which are great, valid suggestions and, you know extremely appreciative of that," Batshon said. "But then you realize, you sit back and you think for a minute, we're going to have to uproot our entire routines, our jobs, our travel plans."

The Christian Academy School System serves more than 3,300 students on its three campuses in Louisville and in New Albany, Indiana, from preschool through high school. 

CAL-SW, located on St. Andrews Church Road, opened in 2000. In 2006, the current Southwest Campus opened with a brand new 48,650-square-foot facility.

Related stories:

Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.