Sch'dy schools merging

"The decision was a difficult one," Bishop Hubbard said. "We believe the new regional school will continue the finest traditions of both schools and increase the viability of Catholic education in Schenectady into the 21st century."

The new school will be located at Immaculate Conception. This is the first reconfiguration of diocesan schools since Cathedral Academy in Albany closed in 1992.

Reasons for change

Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of the diocesan Catholic Schools Office, said the decision to merge two schools was made after an intensive study of the schools in the region. "It's not an easy decision," she said. "The presence of a school [on site] is lost for one parish community."

But she added that the merger can be an opportunity, "a way to strengthen schools. We want to bring the best of both schools together. We want to make this situation unique."

Mixed emotions

"There is certainly devastation," she said. "Even though the outcome was anticipated, there is anger, bitterness and devastation. I'd like to say differently, but I can't."

She added that the faith of the community can help during this difficult time. "We believe in our faith tradition that the road to resurrection passes through Good Friday," she said. "We have and we will continue to experience Good Friday as we attempt to let go of all that was; only then can we move on."

Long process

"We took the charge we were given and looked at all kinds of possibilities," she said. "We did the very best we could."

While some community members have said they weren't kept abreast of the planning process, Mrs. Edgar said the planning group at times didn't have anything to report. "There was not a lot to say because it was more of a thought process," she noted.

Decisions ahead

Mount Carmel is also unique in the smallness of the school. While the regional school will be located in the larger Immaculate Conception building and will serve more students, the principal hopes individual attention is not lost.

"I hope that we can be child-centered and family-sensitive," Mrs. Kondratowicz said.

Both Mrs. Edgar and Mrs. Kondratowicz view the merger as the creation of a new school. "We are not being absorbed into the Immaculate Conception community," Mrs. Kondratowicz said. "We're a model of things to come. Through teamwork, we can let go of individualism and parochialism."

Task force's role

The task force will also investigate offering an innovative curriculum, instrumental band, enhancement of the sports program currently offered by Immaculate Conception, and other options that will make the new school unique.

Sister Jane said it is unclear whether any faculty will be let go. Due to attrition and possible retirements, all of the current faculty interested in teaching at the new school may be accommodated, she said. They will be informed by April 15 if they will have a position.

Recommendations

* While the task force studied the possibility of moving all sixth grades from parish elementary schools to Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, parents preferred to keep sixth grade at the elementary schools.

However, any parent who wishes to may send their sixth grader to ND-BG next year. ND-BG currently has a self-contained sixth grade open to former public school students.

* The planning committee also determined that there is a great need to market the schools. While public and Catholic schools across the country and in New York State are experiencing an enrollment boom, growth is being experienced only in certain areas of the Diocese.

"Marketing is a priority," Sister Jane said. "The adult population has changed. Parents today are different than they were 20 years ago. We need to market to those parents." Mrs. Edgar agreed, saying, "We sat back too long. We need to market to open up Catholic education to other people."

(In addition to the Schenectady planning process, Catholic schools in Rensselaer County were involved in planning. According to Sister Jane, the outcome of that process was that Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush could add a seventh and eighth grade in the fall of 2001 if they can find additional space.)

(03-09-00) [[In-content Ad]]