Genesee County's two Catholic elementary schools are apparently planning a merger, according to a letter sent home to parents.
The letter obtained by The Batavian was sent to parents of children at St. Joe's in Batavia and Holy Family in Le Roy. It states:
Local leadership has agreed that the schools will reconfigure next September for the beginning of the 2012-13 school year. Following a thorough analysis of several reconfigurations, the model emerging as one of the favorites: Pre-K to 8 and an after-school programs at the current St. Joseph School site; Pre-K and an after-school program at current Holy Family site.
The letter states that a name has not yet been selected for the reconfigured school.
The letter is signed by Kevin Robertson, principal of Holy Family, and Karen Green, principal of St. Joseph School.
The reason for the merger, according to the letter, is driven a lot by the declining elementary school population in Genesee County.
The number dropped by 7 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the letter.
"We need to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of all of our parishioners," the letter says. "That requires a more equitable distribution of parish income."
Discussions among local leaders began in the early fall, according to the letter, which invites parents to provide feedback on various options for curricula and programs in the reconfigured school.
