Diocese of Pittsburgh Announces School Closures and Mergers as Part of Strategic Planning

Offers Transition Support for Teachers, Principals, and Families
 
Responding to an urgent need to address increased financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Pittsburgh is announcing the closures of two elementary schools and a merger involving two elementary schools.
 
“I know this news deeply impacts the hearts of our principals, teachers, school families, and other supporters of Catholic education.  It impacts mine as well,” Bishop David Zubik said.   “Schools are not just buildings. They represent communities that provide important faith formation for our children.  I pray that we will be able to come together in the midst of these changes to be grateful for what we have, and to continue to be good stewards of what we are able to utilize to provide Catholic education to our communities.”
 
Schools across the country -- public, parochial, and private -- have seen a substantial loss of revenue as a result of COVID-19.
 
“Sadly, with funding sources critically reduced due to the impact of the global pandemic, we do not have the ability to financially sustain every one of our school buildings,” Bishop Zubik said. “However, our spiritual and financial commitment to Catholic education remains strong.  These decisions were made with exactly that mission in mind – to preserve and protect Catholic education in our diocese.”
 
Regional boards and pastors worked with a diocesan Ad Hoc schools committee to assess their current financial situations and enrollment projections. Recommendations were presented to Bishop Zubik, who approved the following:
 

1. Close Saint Patrick School, Canonsburg effective June 30, 2020.
2. Close Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School, Natrona Heights effective June 30, 2020.
3. Merge Saint Joseph Elementary School, Verona, and Saint John the Baptist School, Plum Borough effective July 1, 2020.

 
In accepting the recommendations and requests, Bishop Zubik said, “I want to recognize the wonderful contributions of teachers and staff who dedicate themselves to educating our children in the Catholic faith, and of the many school families and parishioners who work so diligently in support of our schools.”
 
Pastors, principals, teachers, and school families were informed of the decisions through online meetings and have access to continuing support. Families affected by the closures are being encouraged and assisted in relocating to nearby Catholic schools.
 
While there are questions surrounding how schools will reopen in the fall, due to the necessary continued vigilance related to the pandemic, a diocesan COVID 19 Educational Planning Team has been formed to research, strategize and plan best practices for Catholic schools to open in August 2020.  The diocesan schools office will continue to work with regional school boards, pastors, and principals, as a team, in monitoring and evaluating enrollment levels, as well as the ability for parishes to subsidize the schools.
 
“COVID-19 completely changed education on a global level in a matter of weeks,” said Michelle Peduto, Director of Catholic Schools, “I am so proud of the way our principals, teachers, students, and parents leapt into action to support the transition to distance learning when schools throughout the state were closed amid fears of the spread of the virus.”

The diocese is also announcing that as of July 1, 2020, South Regional Catholic Elementary School, Inc. will be formally established, with a governing board of clergy and lay leaders representing each of the parishes and parish groupings in the region.  The governing board will be responsible for strategic planning and ensuring that diocesan Catholic schools are properly resourced and sustainable for generations to come. The schools will be supported by a regional office headed by a regional administrator responsible for overseeing the school programs.
 
“I am confident we will grow stronger together.  I ask our dear Blessed Mother to comfort us during these transitions, and the Holy Spirit to continue to fire up our souls in our commitment to create sustainable Catholic education in the Diocese of Pittsburgh,” Bishop Zubik said.