18/07/2025
It is, again, with a heavy heart that we are announcing our closure. Only this time, we must close The Crescent School doors for good.
An unjust story follows this.
As we stated in our last post to you all, we are committed to the lead remediation that needs to take place at our school. After committing to one of the most reputable lead remediation companies in Louisiana, we went forth to our landlords and stated that we would pay for this project with the commitment to a long term lease and rent reduction during the payback period of the personal loan.
This lead remediation project is a $30,000 project. My mom, Christine Drennon, committed to spending $30,000 from her retirement account in order to pay for this project to be done and for these families to have childcare again and teachers to have their jobs back.
Our landlords, the Catholic fraternal organization, The Knights of Columbus, took our terms for this to a vote. By a landslide, they voted against us. I then went back to them, still offered to pay for this remediation if they forgo rent for one year in order to pay this personal loan back. They, again, said no. There has been only an unwillingness to compromise or help.
This Catholic group - and Father John Talamo of Holy Name of Mary Church - is grounded in faith, charity, and service to others. This institution is turning a blind eye to children and the community.
What sort of person ignores the cries of a small school community pleading to keep children safe?
People are not only losing childcare and their jobs, but this is a moral failure. This organization and the Catholic Church have turned their back on their faith, their community, and children of Algiers Point and New Orleans.
The Crescent School has never been religiously affiliated with anyone. However, we trusted an organization that claims to be rooted in community values and service. Now they have left us no choice to make our school safe again and so we are closing our doors.
We love our community. We hope to see everyone again one day. Our fight is not over.
Peace and love.
Farewell,
-Liza Drennon