---

A task force has been formed to research options for the future of Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, which came under the spotlight this spring when local media reported on the school's possible relocation.

The task force, comprised of two dozen faculty, students, parents, alumni and school board members, met June 18 and will continue to meet at least monthly until they present options to officials of the Albany Diocese in January 2015.

Task force subcommittees will address Maginn's finances and demographics, current and potential facility options and other aspects of the school.

Sister Mary Anne Heenan, CSJ, province director of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, was appointed to lead the task force because of her neutrality and her background as an educator. She served as superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Syracuse for 14 years and as a senior consultant for the Milwaukee-based Meitler consulting firm.

"I'm excited about it," Sister Mary Anne said of heading the Maginn task force. "I strongly believe in Catholic education. I think this is a great opportunity for the Bishop Maginn community to determine their future and make it a strong one."

The group has another meeting planned for next week. In addition, the school community was invited to a meeting with the group last night to voice concerns and suggestions.

Joseph Salamack, head of school, said parents and community members have been expressing concern and asking him questions wherever he goes.

"[That's] a good thing for me, because I'm very good at answering," he said. "We have to be sure we let people know about all of the positive things going on in school."

He cited a recent $30,000 gift from a benefactor toward the purchase of Google Chromebook laptops for every student. Already, students have iPads and email addresses, and Maginn's curriculum is enhanced with interactive SMART Boards, online learning and teacher blogs.

"We're going to be the most technologically-advanced school in the Diocese," Mr. Salamack told The Evangelist. He said the school is also working on starting internships with state legislators, the New York State Museum and elsewhere.

Mr. Salamack is a member of each subcommittee of the taskforce. He feels hopeful about the future of the school.

"It's a very exciting time, because everyone's interested in moving the school forward," he said. "I hope and pray the school will continue. I have made it part of my life. People have to make it part of their lives; and if they do, it will continue."

When secular news reports broke about the possibility of relocating Maginn, the planning process that school and diocesan leaders had already started was forced to a halt.

"We had to be reactive," Mr. Salamack said. "People were speaking insincerely about the school, and it was very sad."

Now, "we're being proactive, not reactive," he continued. "I can't let [negativity] get me down."

Sister Mary Anne said that when it comes to Bishop Maginn's location, "nothing is off the table at this point. The use of the current building is certainly an option - or are there other sites for relocation that would make more sense?"

Enrollment stood at 130 students this year; the current school building can accommodate 1,200.[[In-content Ad]]

---