Brooklyn Diocese and Christ the King reach deal to keep charter school open

Christ the King High School in Middle Village. Photo by jim.henderson via Wikimedia Commons

By David Brand

The Diocese of Brooklyn reached an agreement in a year-long dispute with Christ the King High School Tuesday that will enable a charter school and day care to continue operating on the Catholic school’s campus in Middle Village.

The dispute began in 2013 when the Diocese sued Christ the King, or CTK shortly after CTK started subletting space to Middle Village Preparatory Charter School. The diocese said the sublease violated a 1976 agreement that prevented CTK from using the campus for non-school-related functions.

The legal battle dragged on through 2017, when a state Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of the Diocese but allowed the charter school to remain open. An Appellate court reversed the decision the next year, however.

The agreement between the parties will enable the charter school and daycare to operate, while installing a Diocese official on the CTK board, QNS.com reported. 

“With this agreement, the parties look forward to their continued relationship with a renewed commitment to keeping alive the Catholic Church’s mission and fostering the spiritual and educational growth of students and their families in our community,” the Diocese of Brooklyn said in a statement. 

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., who represents Middle Village, called the deal “positive news for the students, parents and staff at Christ the King Community Day Care, Middle Village Preparatory Charter School and Christ the King High School.”

“Our residents no longer have to worry if their school would be evicted from its location on the Christ the King campus, and can focus on learning and the best interests of the children,” Addabbo said.