Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield’s St. Patrick’s Catholic School is closing its doors at the end of the school year, but it’s not completely going away.

According to a news release, school officials say they’ve been trying to make the school financially viable to remain open, but it’s not to be.

They blame the loss of COVID-19-related grants, rising operational costs, and a lack of approval a state proposal when Bruce Rauner was Governor that would have provided vouchers to pay for private school education — a proposal called the “Invest in Kids Act.”

“This decision was made with heavy hearts,” said Erik Woehrmann, school board president, in a news release. “St. Pat’s has been more than a school – it has been a family.  We are profoundly grateful for the students, families, teachers, and benefactors who have lived and supported our mission for so many years.”

St. Pat’s says the school’s remaining money will go to scholarships for students looking to go to school elsewhere.

“I am saddened that the doors to this school will soon close as St. Patrick Catholic School has been a powerful witness to what Catholic education should look like for an incredible 115 years,” said Springfield Catholic Diocese Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, in a news release. “I am thankful that the St. Patrick Not-for-Profit Corporation will continue supporting families through their St. Patrick Scholarship Program. Our other Catholic schools in Springfield are ready to welcome St. Patrick families warmly so these students can continue learning in an environment that will form them academically, spiritually, and morally in the light of the Gospel.”

A news conference will be held Thursday afternoon to discuss the closure further.