St. Mary's School to close in June

The Daily Star reported that St. Mary's School will close in June.

Parents of students who attend the Oneonta private school were notified by mail Saturday of the closure. The Rev. Joseph Benintende, pastor of St. Mary's Church, announced it to parishioners at masses during the weekend.

"This all came down on Friday," St. Mary's School Board member Jo-Ann LaMonica said Sunday. "Everything happens for a reason and as devastated and heartbroken as I am over this, there has to be a reason."

The closure means about 50 students in kindergarten though sixth grade must seek enrollment in a new school. It also means the end of pre-kindergarten and 3-year-old programs that serve another 50 children. The school employs 14 full-time staff and nine part-time staff who will lose their jobs. Read more here.