Chaminade Brothers Cease Talks with Parents Over Closing Schools

Parents who are fighting to keep six Catholic grammar schools open on Long Island will not be receiving further counsel from the Marianist brothers, the religious order which runs .

According to a Newsday report, the brothers had ceased talks with the parents who are protesting the decision to close the schools by the :

Brother Thomas Cleary, S.M., the provincial of the order in the Long Island region and , said some of the parents were getting the false idea that the Marianists were willing to run some of the schools themselves, and that he needed to set the record straight.

“However appreciative we are with the support and recognition of our educational experience, the Marianists will not be involved with assuming responsibility for any additional school,” Cleary wrote in a letter to the editor sent to Newsday. “The reason is simple: We currently operate three schools which consume the efforts of our membership at this time.”

“However, we encourage families who want to continue a Catholic education for their children to do so -- albeit in another elementary school.”

In addition to Chaminade in Mineola, the order currently operates Kellenberg Memorial High School and the St. Martin De Porres School in Uniondale. 

Bro. Cleary also denied that the diocese asked the order to cease its efforts. The diocese has stated that it is closing the schools due to declining enrollment.