Catskill school to close

St. Patrick's Academy in Catskill will close at the end of the school year as a result of shrinking enrollment.

"This is a great concern to everyone," said Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, diocesan superintendent of schools. "Despite a strong and valiant effort by parents, administrators and staff over this past year to try to bolster the enrollment, the numbers produced failed to present a viable student population that justified the continuation" of the school.

"With the declining enrollment and subsequent lack of financial resources from tuition or other sources, there is no other option."

The decision to close the school was approved by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, following a recommendation from the Diocesan School Board.

The school (pre-K to fifth grade) has 72 students; registration for the fall had reached only 65 children. Of those currently enrolled, only 11 are members of St. Patrick's parish.

Contributing to the decision to close the school was the fact that the parish could no longer financially support it.

A meeting will be held to address concerns of parents and facilitate enrollment of students in other Catholic schools.

Schools within the Diocese will be encouraged to give teachers from St. Patrick's first priority as they fill vacancies for the fall.

(A recent report by the National Catholic Educational Association revealed that economics and shifting populations have played a major role in Catholic school closings across the U.S.)

(3/29/07) [[In-content Ad]]