The Archdiocese of New York will be deciding which of the area’s Catholic schools are at risk of closure within the next two weeks as part of a sweeping change in how the schools are grouped.
Piloted in Rockland,Staten Island and part of the Bronx, the Archdiocese’s plan to regionalize the area’s Catholic school has been under way for several months. The pilot regional schools are under the oversight of local boards made of clergy and lay people which have begun a comprehensive review of both current and long-term viability.Among the data being examined are enrollment, financial records, academic records and local demographics.
Those schools not in the pilot program are also under review but by ad hoc volunteer boards. Locally, the ad hoc committees are being chaired by Monsignor George Thompson of St. Patrick’s in Bedford for the proposed northern Westchester/Putnam region, and Monsignor Dennis Keane of Annunciation Church in Crestwood for the central Westchester region.
Pilot region boards and reconfiguration committees have begun to analyze each school region and will continue their review through mid-November, according to information provided by the Archdiocese. Any school at risk for possible closure will be informed of their status in late November.
“We are grateful for the dedicated service of pilot region boards and the chairmen and members of the reconfiguration committees in the non-piloted school regions,” said Timothy J. McNiff, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York in an email about the changes. “Throughout the coming weeks and months, we will work to ensure that a Catholic education, based in the teachings of our faith and characterized by academic excellence, will available to all families who desire it, both now and in the future.”
For frequent updates on regionalization, please visit the Superintendent of Schools’ website, www.ADNYeducation.org.
