Update: Still No Decision On Derby Catholic School

Update: Parent Arthur Gerckens told the Valley Indy Monday evening that there was still no decision from the Archdiocese.

Photo: Eugene Driscoll

A group of parents made what could have been a final pitch to church officials Saturday morning to keep the St. Mary-St. Michael School opened beyond the end of this school year.

The school is in a financial pinch due to dwindling enrollment.

Parents, pastors and trustees from both Derby parishes met Saturday for about four hours to see if the school’s future is viable. The meeting was moderated by Maria Maynard, assistant superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools.

Parents, including Derby’s Arthur Gerckens, presented officials with a financial plan they hope will save the school.

The Hartford Archdiocese is supposed to issue a decision Monday, Gerckens said in an e‑mail.

Prior to the 10:30 a.m. meeting, about 40 parents and students of the kindergarten through eighth-grade school braved unseasonably cold temperatures in a show of support for their school.

They stood outside St. Michael’s Church in Derby holding signs reading Save Our Schools.”

Watch the video for a glimpse of the scene.

Notable graduates of the school include UConn basketball standout Maria Conlon.

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