Mayor Shayne Gallo makes a last minute plea to the Archdiocese to keep the doors of St. Joseph’s School opened in Kingston. YNN’s Alexandra Weishaupt has more on the effort as the Archdiocese’s final decision draws near.

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KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Mayor Shayne Gallo and a group from the St. Joseph’s community make their case to the Archdiocese, emphasizing the importance the school has on the economic development of the city.

“It would just be too damaging to Kingston, particularly at a time where there are school closings, hospital closings throughout the community,” said Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo.

He says because of public school closures, St. Joe’s could see more enrollment, which has already increased by 34 percent since 2011. Since then, the school has also expanded its programs and seen an increase in donations.

“It’s a million dollar budget that the school currently has so essentially it would be very, very disastrous not only for the students and their families, but also for the uptown community,” said Gallo.

To show their appreciation for the mayor’s efforts, Principal Jeanne Dolamore and her eighth grade students took a trip to thank him, while getting a taste of that community which could be impacted so greatly by the change.

“They walked from St. Joseph’s into the town center, past the UPAC Theater, right down Broadway corridor into the magnificent city hall and hand delivered letters to the mayor,” said St. Joseph School Principal Jeanne Dolamore.

It was a small token of appreciation to the St. Joe’s alumnus who says it was at that very school where he gained a set of values that instilled a strong commitment to community service.

“I look forward hopefully to the cardinal really taking a look at this and coming to grips with the situation that this school can’t be closed,” said Gallo.

Four other schools in the area are facing the possibility of closure as well. The Archdiocese is expected to make their final decision sometime this month.