The enrollment decline has hurt the business community too.

The most significant enrollment decline was in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts experienced a 16 percent decline.

"The long period of enrollment decline that followed the postwar years is over," he said.

In the 1980s, the district experienced several finance problems and an enrollment decline.

The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline.

Though most of the school's enrollment decline has occurred in the elementary school, the middle school was down to 120 students last year from 172 in 2002.

The university projects a further enrollment decline of 1,000 to 1,800 undergraduates by 1995 and a cumulative budget deficit of about $28 million.

The enrollment decline is significant, officials say, because studies show that college gives people on welfare a good chance to get better jobs at higher pay.

Statewide, there are 187 districts that are projected to have an enrollment decline of 15 percent or greater.

Others argue that, despite the enrollment decline and mounting financial difficulties, Catholic schools remain the church's most reliable method of retaining faithful adherents.