Saint Joseph School in Meriden will close at the end of the school year, according to the Archdiocese of Hartford.
The archdiocese cited financial issues as the reason for the decision. Officials said the school has relied on school savings and parish support to operate for a number of years now, and those resources have dried up.
School pastor Rev. Gerald Dziedzic informed teachers, school board members and families at a meeting Monday night.
It is with sadness in my heart that I have to make this announcement. Saint Joseph School, which is more than 100 years old, has served our community and its students extremely well, but the financial resources to continue are not available,” he said in a statement.
Saint Joseph has 149 students from pre-k through eighth grade. Students have the option of moving to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, which is also in Meriden. OLMC currently has 206 students and school officials said they are committed to making the transition as easy as possible for Saint Joseph families.
Other nearby Catholic schools include Southington Catholic in Southington, Holy Trinity School in Wallingford, Saint Bridget School in Cheshire, and Saint Paul School in Berlin.
The Archdiocese of Hartford is in the middle of a pastoral planning process which could mean parish closings and reorganizing. Decisions on the future of Meriden parishes are not finalized.
