Parents await bishop's decision
By: Jecoliah Ellis
Updated: January 18, 2008
The education of thousands of children is expected to drastically change Friday. Bishop Matthew Clark is expected to announce his plans regarding the future of Catholic Schools in Monroe County.
There are currently 24 Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools within the county. Several of those could be closed or consolidated. The Bishop says Catholic Schools in Monroe County are one million dollars in the hole.
Dave and Mary Conover aren't any different than the next parent. They want what's best for their children. And they feel that's getting a Catholic education. "You walk into the school and you just feel the spirit. There's no denying it. Everyone is just happy to be there," said Dave Conover.
The Conover's son John is a third grader at Holy Cross School in Rochester. There have been rumors that more than a dozen schools could be closed. They hope for far fewer than that.
"I'd like to see it on the lower side not the higher side," said Mary Conover.
Joe and Marian coon both attended Catholic schools growing up. That's why they want their children to have the same opportunity. They're anxiously awaiting the bishop's decision.
"I think it's somewhat a feeling of vulnerability," said Marian Coon.
"I believe it's the Bishop's job to look to faith and God first and finances second," said Joe Coon.
"Had we been given a chance to participate in the project it would have been more satisfying to me in the long run," said Marian Coon.
The talk of closing schools is taking a toll on their 12-year-old daughter Theresa. She has dozens of thoughts running through her head. "I don't know where I'm going to go. Losing all my friends, the teachers I've known for a long time," said Theresa Coon.
Her parents say if her school is shut down - they'll have to find Plan B. "Look at the options. Figure out what we're going to do. That's what you've got to do in life," said Joe Coon.
We're told that the schools that will be impacted will be notified Friday morning.
