Alumni and Parents Lead Passionate Campaign to Save Most Precious Blood School in Astoria
Astoria, NY (PRWEB) January 12, 2015 -- Alumni, parents and students say the crusade to save Most Precious Blood School in Astoria has just begun after being informed via text message to check the school web site on January 10, 2015. Upon visiting the site there was a link to a letter drafted by Rev. William Krlis the pastor of the church informing parents the school would close on June 2015.
According to Mr. Rosenberger, "Alumni and parents have flooded social media over the past days to convey shock at the loss of the school. The letter on the site informed parents that “while financially we have not run deficits” the school must nevertheless close due to “essential building repairs, combined with declining enrollment.” The letter notes that the repairs would cost “an estimated 2.55 million.” However, members of the school community and alumni association are confused by the fact that this information is being provided after the decision to close was already made as the letter indicated."
Indeed, members of this strong community suggest they would have bound together in an effort to raise the necessary funds to save the school. Members of the school community suggest that plans were already in place to begin necessary repairs and the school is actually making money. Today Peter Vallone stated on his Facebook page that, “Most Precious Blood School, Astoria, NY is slated to be closed DESPITE fact it is profitable? If the Church will close a profitable well-loved and attended school for a quick influx of money for sale of property, that sends a terrible message to Catholic schools everywhere that they can be closed at ANY time. I will be personally calling the Diocese on this.”
In addition to launching a social media campaign, alumni and parents have begun to send letters to the diocese requesting enrollment and financial information. Mr. Rosenberger is closely monitoring this situation and requesting the same information because the statements presented in the letter from the pastor are seemingly inconsistent. The rationale for closing the school is contradictory and further fact finding is necessary before hundreds of children are displaced from a nurturing and profitable school.
A meeting will take place at Most Precious Blood School on January 14, 2015 at 7:00PM in the school auditorium where the pastor will “review the facts that lead to this decision” with those that attend. Members of the community are imploring Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn to attend in an effort to save the school.
Michael Rosenberger, The Rosenberger Law Firm, http://MCJRLAW.COM, +1 (631) 697-5929, [email protected]
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