By Doug La Rocque
News that St. Mary’s Academy will close at the end of this school year was not totally unanticipated, but still very much a shock, not only to the school community but to the Village of Hoosick Falls as well. In a letter sent to parents of children attending the school, the reason for the closure was listed as declining enrollment and growing budget deficits. St. Mary’s discontinued its 7th and 8th grade classes last year, and this year has a total of 20 students spread through 1st to 6th grades. There are 25 children enrolled in its pre-k and kindergarten classes.
“I’m proud of the efforts of our staff and our supporters in the community, but it became clear that it was time to make this difficult decision,” said St. Mary’s Academy Principal Amanda Goyer. Principal Goyer and the Very Rev. Thomas Zelker, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hoosick Falls, discussed the planned closure with the Diocesan School Board, which accepted the plan. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger reluctantly agreed, noting he was saddened by the closure, but appreciative of the school’s leaders for their forthright assessment.
“While this is a sad day for our brothers and sisters in Hoosick Falls, it is important to recognize the responsibility to be good stewards with the resources entrusted to us, and not give false hope to those in an untenable position,” the Bishop said.
St. Mary’s closure is yet another obstacle to be dealt with, as the Village attempts to recover from the PFOA contamination of its drinking water supply, and the July 1, 2017 devastating floods that caused extensive damage to the Immaculate Conception Church, forcing its closure as well. Last summer, Bishop Scharenberger held a parish meeting at St. Mary’s, where the use of the school for worship services was discussed. That move, however, never came about, and the congregation continues to meet at the First United Presbyterian Church. The Eastwick Press asked the Office of Bishop Scharenberger if the latest developments might facilitate that move. We were told by diocesan spokesperson Mary DeTurris Poust, “The pastor and Diocese will continue to look for long-term solutions regarding a worship space. No decisions have been made yet.”
Giovanni Virgiglio, diocesan school superintendent and diocesan chancellor, said the Diocese will work closely with St. Mary’s Academy staff and the families of students to identify alternative options for families to continue a Catholic education next year.
This includes the possibility of a transportation service funded by the Catholic School Office to bring students from Hoosick Falls to St. Mary’s School in Waterford, if there is sufficient interest.
St. Mary’s is currently in its 127th year, having started as the parish elementary school for Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls and Eastern Rensselaer County in 1891.