Two Catholic schools in Windsor Terrace may merge.
That’s if the Diocese of Brooklyn approves its proposal to close or merge 29 schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Locally, Immaculate Heart of Mary at 3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway and Holy Name at 241 Prospect Park West could become one school. It would be located at Prospect Park West.
Holy Name referred calls to the diocese. Immaculate Heart of Mary’s principal could not be reached for comment by press time.
Many – if not most – of the 29 schools in jeopardy of closing or merging are now formulating business plans outlining how they would financially support themselves if given a respite.
The diocese proposed the merger, as well as several closures in southern Brooklyn, because of a lack of sufficient funding due to declining enrollment. The diocese has credited this to changing demographics in Brooklyn neighborhoods and financial burdens on families.
“When we determined that our schools are operating at only 85 percent of capacity, it became clear that we had to consider why this was happening and how we might reverse the trend,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The decline in school enrollment mirrors a decline in the number of families attending mass at the parish and donating money. In many instances, the closed schools are rented to the city and state Education departments and that money is used to keep the parish afloat. Such is the case for St. Finbar parish in Bensonhurst, which closed its school last June.
The diocese has closed 46 schools over the last eight years.
If additional schools are closed, City Councilmember Bill de Blasio would like to see the vacant school buildings utilized by the city Department of Education, thereby alleviating overcrowding in public schools.
“Given the potential merger of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Holy Name, I hope that the school system will keep an open mind while exploring possible alternative uses for the available space, including collaborating with the city’s public school system,” he said.
If any of the 29 schools ultimately close or merge, the diocese will work with parents to place their children in other Catholic schools.
A final decision about the proposed closures and mergers will be made next month.
