St. Andrew's School, Parish prepare to close their doors for last time

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Diocese of Buffalo announces the closure of both St. Andrews Country Day School and Parish in Tonawanda, on February 16th, after they were unable to overcome their financial crisis.

St. Andrew's Principal Pamela Giannantonio organized a fair on Thursday to help parents decide what school to send their kids to. Before the fair, WBEN spoke with Giannantonio, who explained why she felt it was important to provide the parents with a variety of options to choose from.

"I felt that it was my duty as a leader to support these families in this transition as best I can. I have never been part of closing a school before but I thought the best I could do is offer them a school fair and I invited local schools in the area. Catholic schools, charter schools, Lutheran schools, so that the parents can weigh all their options to what is the next step for them and what suits their family best," said Giannatonio in her interview with WBEN. "Due to the uncertainty of the way the diocese has handled this current situation, parents are uneasy to just transition from one Catholic school to another."

Giannantonio also explained there has been an overall lack of communication in regards to what will happen with the property after the doors are closed for good.

"As far as keeping us in the loop with what comes next, and with the property, there is no keeping anyone in the loop with the Diocese of Buffalo. They surface information on an as needed basis," said Giannantonio.

As of right now, both the school and parish are expected to close on, or before, June 30th.

In response to WBEN's interview with Principal Giannantonio, the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo released the following statement:

"As we announced in mid-February, St. Andrew Parish and its grammar school, St. Andrew Country Day School will close on, or before, June 30.

"The decision to close both the parish and the school was reached by clerical and lay leadership of the parish in close consultation with the diocese because the parish and school financial challenges over the past several years reached an untenable stage.

"Despite comment that the Diocesan Department of Catholic Schools has not worked with the school on its unfortunate upcoming closing, the department submitted closing guidelines to the school a week ago and has been rebuffed in its effort to provide support to school leadership.

"The rumor perpetuated by school leadership that buyers have already been identified for purchase of St. Andrew property is completely false and without merit. Our hope is that parents continue to send their children to St. Andrew Country Day School, continue to satisfy their tuition obligations and continue to work bingo to ensure that the school year be completed for St. Andrew school children."