Statement about the Leasing of St. Joseph Academy

Dear Friends,
As you are all aware, due to increasing financial burdens, declining enrollment and Covid 19 pandemic, the Archdiocese of Newark closed St. Joseph Academy in the summer of 2020. It was a very sad day for our parish and school community.

Shortly after the school closed, the Bogota Board of Education approached us about the possibility of leasing the St. Joseph School building to help them alleviate space and overcrowding classroom issues that they are beginning to experience and to fill educational needs that they have. I then wrote to Cardinal Tobin to ask for permission to lease the school building to the Bogota Board of Education.

In the Fall of 2020, the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and Cardinal Tobin approved the lease of St. Joseph Academy to the Bogota Board of Education. We have now entered into a 5 year lease with the Board of Education which will commence on July 1st, 2021. At this time, the proceeds from the rental fee will go into a restricted fund in the Archdiocese of Newark to pay off our parish debt and 25% of the rental proceeds will go into a school endowment fund in the Archdiocese. The Board of Education will use the building for Pre-K and 6th and 7th Grades. As part of the lease agreement we as a parish will still use the St. Joseph school building for Faith Formation, Youth Ministry and other Parish Activities.

Planning is now underway for the Board of Education to move these students into the building in September of 2021. As we enter this new phase in the life of our parish, thank you for your continued dedication and support of St. Joseph Parish. May God continue to bless and guide us each and every day.

God Bless,

Fr. Scott