February 3, 2023

Dear SCC Community –

I wanted to provide you with the latest update regarding discussions surrounding the proposed City-led shelter
adjacent to Saratoga Central Catholic School here in Saratoga Springs. I share with you the grave and serious
concerns this proposal has upon our school community and appreciate the work done by the parents’ group to bring
significant attention to this issue. I also share with you the absolute need to understand more facts about this
proposal.

Since meeting last Friday with Mayor Kim and Public Safety Commissioner Montagnino, I have spoken to a number
of you about our collective next steps – particularly as a school community rooted in the Gospel. This is a serious
issue for the administration and the Saratoga Springs community as a whole; however, the placement of such a
facility near our school is fundamentally flawed. These were concerns we brought directly to the Mayor – concerns
over school safety, explanation of shelter operations, and what city resources will mitigate and assure any impacts
to our school.

Asking school parents and administrators — Catholic school parents and administrators at that — to reconcile the
proposed location of a low-barrier shelter is not only unfair, it’s unacceptable. When considering the care and
concern for both vulnerable populations, the welfare of our children and students must take precedent. Their safety
is already our top priority, and we cannot stand for anything, no matter how well-intentioned, that may put their
safety in question. Therefore, we must vigorously oppose the city’s proposal as it stands today.

The safety and well-being of the students and our community remains a top priority and will always guide our
decision-making. Concurrently, we must remain steadfast – in the midst of rumors about the proposal (and to
emphasize here, remains a proposal – no leases have been signed, no proposals have been approved, and no
location has been finalized) – that supporting and caring for the neediest and most vulnerable among us is a
cornerstone to our faith and what we believe and teach as a Church. We must always recognize that those who
need shelter are our brothers and sisters, they are made in the Lord’s image just as each of us – this should guide
our advocacy and efforts to bring resolution.

Mayor Kim continues to assure me that nothing will be finalized at this juncture and would like to afford him the
opportunity to clearly explain this proposal and the timeline of decision-making. Please mark Thursday, Feb. 16 as a
“save the date” to meet with Mayor Kim - the time and location will be shared with you in the very near future.

We encourage you to work collaboratively with us and each other on this matter and to make your voice heard at
the upcoming Saratoga Springs City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and in future public forums.

On behalf of all of us, we remain grateful for your continued passionate support of Saratoga Central Catholic and
look forward to our joint and continued advocacy.

Sincerely,

Dr. Giovanni Virgiglio, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools