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YONKERS, N.Y. – The Yonkers City Council is joining the effort to keep St. Casimir School open.
Council members unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night urging the Archdiocese of New York not to shutter the Nepperhan Avenue school.
In the two-page resolution, the City Council notes the rich history of the school, its ties to the Polish community in Yonkers and the diverse student body.
The council “stands united in support of St. Casimir School, its students, teachers and parishioners, and calls upon the Archdiocese of New York to withdraw its intention to close this historic local school that would seriously impact the education and religious role this important institution holds in the city,” the resolution reads.
The 109-year-old St. Casimir School was one of four Westchester schools designated as “at risk” of closing late last month by the Archdiocese of New York.
Administrators have learned the school will, among other things, have to come up with a plan to raise an additional $140,000 each year for the next three years if it is to stay open.
School leaders and parents have pitched a number of ideas to raise that money, including fundraisers and tuition increases ranging from $50 to $100 per month.
Last week, administrators held a community meeting to discuss the future of the school. Attendees said afterward that they were encouraged by the fact that everyone seemed to be “very enthusiastic” about saving the school.
St. Casimir has until January to come up with a plan to convince the archdiocese it should remain open.
In the meantime, school officials have encouraged parents and community members to write local politicians and religious leaders, showing their support for St. Casimir.
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