CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. -
During the summer, it's not uncommon to see teachers moving around their classroom. But teachers at St. Mary's academy in Champlain, New York, aren't preparing for the fall, they're packing for good.
This week, church leaders told them the school would not open this year for the first time in more than a century.
News that isn't sitting well with some parents.
"We went into the summer with the teachers at the end of the year thinking we'd see them again," said Rosanne Merrill.
Church leaders say a $50,000 dollar donation fell through.
"I had already promised the parish that if I had to borrow any more money, I'd have to close the school," said Father James Delbel.
With the promise that school would be coming back, teachers were getting ready. Welcome signs on the wall, new bulletin board being put up and even new crayons being put in the jars, but now all of that has to be put away.
This comes after school leaders raised nearly $120,000 dollars. They also took a pay freeze.
And just last year students released balloons to celebrate the accomplishment of raising $80,000 in just three months. But this time around church leaders say even if thousands came in tomorrow, the school can't reopen.
"It won't make any difference, the money just isn't there," said Father James Delbel.
Now parents, including Aaron and Rosanne Merrill, have their own unwanted homework assignment.
"As for what we're doing now? I don't know," said Aaron Merrill.
A frustrating answer that many parents and teachers wish they didn't have to say. Teachers have until the fall to clean up and move out.
The church plans to use the building for other education resources.
