In Letter, Diocese Says It Can't Afford To Keep Sunset Park's St. Agatha School Open

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — A spokesman for the Diocese of Brooklyn has released a Jan. 10 letter sent to parents of students attending St. Agatha School explaining why the institution must be shuttered.

Vito Formica, the spokesman, confirmed on Monday that the Diocese plans to shut down St. Agatha at the end of June. According to Formica, the school is facing declining enrollment, and is facing a $55,571 operational deficit this year alone.

The letter delivered to parents — reprinted in full below, and signed by Pastor Rev. Vincentius Do and Pastor Maximo Catala — includes that financial statistic. It also states that the school has lost 34 K-8 students since 2010, meaning, "there are eight classes with less than 20 students."

"While some parents cherish the small class atmosphere, realistically tuition for this type of education normally approaches $15,000," the letter states, noting that St. Agatha only charges $3,949 per year.

"The parish does not have the reserves to subsidize the school for the future, and the parish cannot subsidize the school at the expense of parish programs and ministries," the letter reads. "To attempt to continue the school while further curtailing academic services and extra-curricular activities would be a serious disservice to your sons and daughters."

Additionally, the letter states that the Diocese will work to place St. Agatha students in new Catholic schools, and will provide $500 to each Catholic school that accepts a St. Agatha student.

Some community members have publicly challenged the Diocese's explanation for the closure, as Patch reported Monday, with alumni Stephen Nygard claiming an unnamed Diocese source informed him that St. Agatha is sitting on more than a million dollars in unused savings. However, no documentation has been presented to support the claim, and Formica has declined to address it.

On Tuesday, Jeff Wice, a spokesman for Sunset Park Assemblyman Félix W. Ortiz, said Ortiz is "firmly supportive of keeping the school open," and [is] asking the church that Sunset Park be made a priority." Wice said Ortiz does not have additional information on the financial situation faced by the school, though he has requested it from the Diocese.

The letter St. Agatha delivered to parents on Jan. 10 is included below:

10 January 2017

Dear Parents,

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that this letter comes to share with you the news of the closure of Saint Agatha School effective 30 June 2017.

This difficult decision was reached due to the continuing economic challenges faced by the school and a rapidly decreasing pool of students choosing Catholic school education. This school year, 2016-2017 the budgeted per student cost for educating one child is $5,329 while the tuition charged is $3,949 with a total enrollment of 144 students in Grades K through 8. The budget was based on a larger student body; now a growing deficit results ($55,571) as enrollment goals were not met.

Despite the best efforts of our most dedicated principal to market Saint Agatha School the fact remains that the school has lost 34 students, overall, in the past seven years. This school year there are eight classes with less than 20 students. While some parents cherish the small class atmosphere, realistically tuition for this type of education normally approaches $15,000. Our families are unable to afford this tuition. Even our current per student cost which exceeds $5,300 does not meet the financial parameters of the budget. The parish does not have the reserves to subsidize the school for the future, and the parish cannot subsidize the school at the expense of parish programs and ministries. The current school budget is indeed lean and our school administration and faculty have lived within its constraints. To attempt to continue the school while further curtailing academic services and extra-curricular activities would be a serious disservice to your sons and daughters. Also, the necessary staff constrictions would contribute to the deterioration of the total educational program.

The Diocesan Office of the Superintendent of Schools, in conjunction with the school administration, will make every effort to transition the students to other Catholic elementary schools if parents choose this important option. The community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy has extended an invitation to each family to register there due to the proximity to the homes of our students and the fact that the academy serves a similar population. However, for the benefit of our parents and students, an Information Night will be held at Saint Agatha School on Wednesday, 18 January 2017 at 7 PM. Catholic School administrators and personnel will be available to present their programs and answer questions you may have. Please know that the Diocese of Brooklyn will provide a $500 financial grant to each school/academy accepting a student from St. Agatha School.

The closure of a school is not an easy experience for anyone concerned. However, an understanding on your part of the heroic efforts that have been made and will continue to be made on behalf of your sons and daughters will make the experience easier for them and for us to handle.

Let us pray for one another at this difficult time. As always, we are counting on you.

Sincerely,

Rev. Vincentius Do, Pastor

Mr. Maximo Catala, Principal

Pictured at top: St. Agatha School. Photo by John V. Santore