St. Luke's, Schenectady, announces school closure

The Diocese of Albany has announced the consolidation of the three Schenectady Catholic elementary schools: St. Luke's, St. Helen's and St. John the Evangelist.

St. Luke's School will close in June, merging the three schools into two campuses, St. Helen's and St. John the Evangelist. The recommendation was made last week by the Schenectady Regional Elementary School Board and approved by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard.

In 2004, the Regional School Board merged five Catholic elementary schools to the current three, while forecasting the possibility of further consolidation. "That time has come," said a press release from the diocesan Catholic Schools Office.

Students who have registered for St. Luke's have the option of attending St. Helen's or St. John the Evangelist, each of which are about two miles from St. Luke's.

"The Regional School Board and Diocese continue to do everything possible to increase the viability of Schenectady's Catholic schools," said Sister Jane Herb, IHM, diocesan superintendent. "St. Luke's has been an important presence in Schenectady for over 50 years, and our intention is to honor that tradition by making the changes necessary to ensure the school system's success."

Catholic schools within the Diocese will be encouraged to give St. Luke's teachers first priority as they fill vacancies for next fall.

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