MPNnow.com has posted a story on its site reporting on the Open House at Irondequoit's St. Margaret Mary School this past Sunday. Toward the end of the story is the following section related to St. John Bosco Schools:
Residents concerned with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester’s decision to close 13 suburban schools this month are trying to start an independent private Catholic school.
“It’s a group of parents and business people who are concerned about the redemption of Catholic school opportunities in Rochester in view of the recent closing of schools,” said Joseph Indelicato of Rochester, who is spearheading the effort. Indelicato, CEO of Caritas Consulting of Rochester, is president of the Catholic Education Foundation of Rochester, a national organization he founded in 2001.
He said he has connections with the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools, a Florida-based organization the group is working with to establish St. John Bosco Schools. Indelicato said about 40 people attended an initial organizing meeting May 20. A second meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 11. The location has not yet been announced. More information will be available at a new Web site: www.johnboscoschools.org or by contacting info@johnboscoschools.org.
The new school could start with as few as five students and will be located somewhere in the Pittsford, Fairport and Victor area, Indelicato said.
Doug Mandelaro, a spokesperson for Bishop Matthew Clark, said a number of groups wanted to start independent Catholic schools at some of the closed school sites. He said Bishop Clark has indicated he will listen to proposals, but is not in favor of independent schools.
Mandelaro noted that of the 4,884 students in the system early this year when the closings were announced, 4,201 have re-registered, exceeding the retention goal of 48 percent. There are 376 seats available, with 82 on a waiting list for seats closer to their homes, he said.
While Bishop Clark may not be in favor of independent schools, many people who have followed the diocese's management of the MCCS System over the years have come to see independent schools as the only long-term hope of preserving Catholic education in Monroe County.
2 comments:
The bishop says he will listen if groups want to use closed school sites? That's a joke! Why bother? Holy Trinity parents/parishioners tried that, as did Holy Cross and St. John Rochester. He won't allow it. He'll allow an independent school in one of the city buildings because they won't be serving the students he wants.
Does the diocese think anyone actually believes their propaganda anymore?
CathParent2,
Yeah, I just dismissed Mandelaro's comment about listening as one more pathetic attempt at spin. Anyone who's been paying the least bit of attention knows the real truth.
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