Introduction to the Closure of Preston High School
Officials at Preston High School in Throggs Neck abruptly announced last month that the school will permanently close in June, sparking an uproar within the community and raising concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process.
Reasons for Closure
Preston’s Board of Trustees cited declining enrollment and the rising costs of maintaining its aging buildings as reasons for the closure. However, many within the school community argue that enrollment remains strong and that there was no prior indication that the school would close due to financial instability.
History of Preston High School
Preston’s property is owned by the White Plains-based Sisters of the Divine Compassion, who opened the private Catholic school in 1947, which now has 370 all-female students. It sits in a residential neighborhood overlooking the East River and still includes a former convent house, known to many as “the mansion,” that dates back to the 1800s.
Leasing and Ownership
The Sisters are currently leasing the property to Preston, which is a separate corporation under the auspices of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. The Sisters decided to sell the property a few years back, and they entered into negotiations only with Preston, members said in a recent TV interview. But after 18 months of back-and-forth discussions, they concluded that the school lacked the financial viability to purchase the site.
Board of Trustees
Preston is represented by a board of trustees consisting of six members, three of whom are nuns with the Sisters of the Divine Compassion.
Community Reaction
The closure came as a shock to many and raised doubts about how the decision was made. A newly-formed alumni group criticized the board’s composition, noting the dominant presence of nuns and lack of alumni and faculty, aside from the principal.
Statement from the Alumni Group
“Students, faculty, and alumnae are demanding answers about the decision, which appears to have been made without transparency or meaningful stakeholder involvement,” the group said in a statement.
Response from the Board
But the board said the school simply could not keep up with today’s financial realities. “Preston High School is not in a position to sustain itself beyond the near future nor the long term,” their statement read.
Other Local Catholic Schools
Other local Catholic schools are shutting their doors, citing financial reasons. Several in the Bronx recently announced they will close at the end of this school year, including All Hallows High School in Concourse, Sacred Heart School in Highbridge, and Immaculate Conception School in Melrose.
Dispute Over Financial Stability
However, the Preston alumni group maintains their school was not on the financial brink. The group said on its website that “contrary to recent reports” of the school’s financial struggles and low enrollment, it is “currently operating at full capacity.”
Enrollment and Financial Aid
The Bronx Times reached out to school principal Jennifer Connolly, a 1992 Preston graduate, but received a response instead from the alumni group. “With 97% enrollment projected for the fall and the school currently operating at 92% capacity, claims of low enrollment and financial hardship do not align with reality,” the group stated.
Property Sale
A spokesperson for the Sisters told the Bronx Times that since the Preston negotiations fell through, the property has not been listed for sale.
The Fight to Save Preston
Preston is a special place for many students, faculty, and families who have banded together in an effort to save their beloved school. They have held at least two rallies that have drawn hundreds and have created a “Save Preston” petition with over 10,000 signatures, as well as an Instagram account @savePreston, which has more followers than the school’s official account.
Student Testimonials
The closure of Preston has brought out the fight among young attendees like senior Christina Castillo, who said her time at the school has been life-changing. “You really find your own family there,” said Castillo in an interview with the Bronx Times.
Community Involvement
Castillo and others run a club called Compassion Connection, where students have written letters to the elderly and donated care packages and sandwiches to the homeless, among other initiatives.
Accusations of Lack of Transparency
Castillo said she wanted to avoid demonizing the Sisters but views the school’s financial crisis as “an outright lie.” She never noticed any sign of cutbacks, and today’s students have more school-funded opportunities, offerings, and financial aid than ever, she said.
Tough Realities
The Sisters said in the TV interview that they went to great lengths to try to make the sale work for the school. Sister Laura Donovan, president of the Sisters and member of the school’s board of trustees, explained that around 2019, the Sisters began looking to sell the four properties they owned, including Preston.
Financial Viability
The Sisters became worried that the school did not have the financial means to purchase the property. Any property owner must have strong finances, especially to afford maintenance for old buildings, the Sisters said. To them, the school looked to be on financially shaky ground.
Call for Transparency
Elected officials are calling for an open dialogue with the Sisters and more transparency about how the closure decision was made. City Council Member and Majority Leader Amanda Farías, a 2007 Preston graduate, told the Bronx Times that she “adored” her alma mater and that the school gave her “an opportunity unlike any other.”
Conclusion
The closure of Preston High School has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning the transparency of the decision-making process. As the school fights to stay open, it remains to be seen what the future holds for this beloved institution.
FAQs
Q: Why is Preston High School closing?
A: The school’s board of trustees cited declining enrollment and rising maintenance costs as reasons for the closure.
Q: What is the current enrollment at Preston High School?
A: The school is currently operating at 92% capacity, with 97% enrollment projected for the fall.
Q: Who owns the property where Preston High School is located?
A: The property is owned by the White Plains-based Sisters of the Divine Compassion.
Q: What is the "Save Preston" movement?
A: The "Save Preston" movement is a grassroots effort by students, faculty, and alumni to save the school from closing, which includes rallies, petitions, and social media campaigns.
Q: What do elected officials say about the closure?
A: Elected officials, including City Council Member Amanda Farías, are calling for transparency and open dialogue with the Sisters about the closure decision.
