32 Catholic schools in NY targeted for closure

The Archdiocese of New York has released a list of 32 struggling Catholic schools that could be forced to close under a plan that would strip them of financial subsidies.

The list of "at-risk" schools released Tuesday, includes 15 schools in New York City and 17 schools in Westchester and upstate counties. All but one are elementary schools.

The Archdiocese says the schools, which contain 4,561 students, have seen a decline in enrollment of 34 percent over the past five years.

Under the plan, principals and pastors at the “at-risk” schools will be allowed to argue that their schools should continue receiving subsidies. Archbishop Timothy Dolan will then make a final decision in January, 2011.

In the last five years, the archdiocese has closed or merged nearly two dozen schools.