St. Joseph teachers who face layoffs won't have unemployment cushion

Norwich - The 20 staff members at St. Joseph School will not receive unemployment compensation if they are laid off and not hired for other positions within the Diocese of Norwich, state and diocesan officials confirmed Thursday.

State statutes say any school or church "operated primarily for religious purposes" is exempt from paying unemployment insurance under the Unemployment Compensation Act. While the school or religious organization can voluntarily opt to pay the insurance and thus make its employees eligible for unemployment compensation, the Diocese of Norwich does not pay the insurance.

Diocese spokesman Michael Strammiello said Thursday that the diocese gives all employees a written statement at the time of hiring explaining that they are not eligible for unemployment compensation should their positions be terminated. State law mandates the written notification.

The diocese announced on Monday that St. Joseph will close at the end of the school year on June 18 under mounting financial difficulties. The school will have an estimated $500,000 debt by the end of this school year, with an enrollment of 113 for grades pre-kindergarten through eight.

Only one of St. Joseph's 16-member faculty is a nun, as is Principal Sister Mary Mark. The remaining 15, including teachers, assistants, a librarian and a Title 1 coordinator, are lay employees. The school has a total of 20 employees, including janitorial and office staff.

Teachers have declined to comment on the closure. Strammiello said the St. Joseph staff would be given first priority for other teaching positions in diocesan schools and for other positions within the diocese.

Mark said Wednesday she is writing letters to principals of the other 16 schools in the diocese giving strong recommendations for all her teachers.

"Every one of our teachers is certified, and they are all excellent educators," Mark said.

c.bessette@theday.com