Principals announced for two newly merged Catholic elementary schools

PITTSBURGH, PA -- The South Regional Catholic Elementary School (SRCES) Board has announced its selections for principals of two newly merged schools in the south region.  The recommendations were approved at a board meeting Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
 
For the St. Philip (Crafton)-St. Margaret of Scotland (Green Tree) elementary school merger, Robert Munz was selected by the board.  According to Michelle Peduto, director of Catholic schools, Munz “has a long history with the diocese and in education. He will bring healing, love, faith and compassion to the families of this new merger.”
 
For the St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Pleasant Hills) and St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin (Whitehall) elementary school merger, Donald Militzer was selected as principal.  “Don is also a longtime principal in the diocese and has a heart for Catholic education.  I believe he possesses the qualities needed to bring these two communities together,” Peduto said.

In a letter of introduction to school families and parishioners of the new Saint Philip/Saint Margaret of Scotland Merger, Munz expressed his sincere thanks for the opportunity and said, “I have a tremendous love and passion for Catholic education. I believe that in our Catholic schools we will have the opportunity to educate the total child; academically, socially, and most important, spiritually. Having the opportunity to work in a Catholic school is not a job to me, but it is my vocation. My goal is to make our new Catholic school truly a special place.”

Munz brings with him 21 years of experience in the field of education. He spent 11 years in the classroom and has served as an administrator in the Diocese of Pittsburgh for the past 10 years, the last four of which were at St. Margaret of Scotland School.

“I believe that all our Catholic schools in our diocese are truly a treasure. We will continue to bring both of our schools together into one solid school community. There are so many wonderful things happening at both campuses. I would like to continue to build upon these successes,” Munz said.

In a letter to families of St. Elizabeth and St. Gabriel schools, Militzer shared his “passion for Catholic education and a passion to be a champion for all children.” 

Militzer has been part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh for more than 15 years. He has been an elementary school teacher, and for the past 10 years has served as a vice-principal and principal—the past four years as principal of Saint Gabriel school.

“This newly merged school will be a FAMILY. We will love together, laugh together, cry together, work together, grow together, succeed together, and maybe even sometimes fail together. If the challenges we have all faced from March 2020 to now have taught us anything, it is that together we can conquer anything! That is what we will do, join together and create the most amazing school and school community anyone can ask for,” Militzer said. 

On February 12, 2021, the diocese announced the elementary school mergers for the 2021-2022 school year. The announcement explained that the recommendations were made after more than a year of careful study of financial and demographic data, student enrollment trends, and consultation with representatives of the parish and school communities in determining the best possible way to continue to provide a Catholic school education for the children in the south region.  
    
Immediately after the decision to merge the schools, implementation committees of parents and regional staff were formed and have been working in earnest to bring school families together.  New school names will be announced soon, and Sharon Loughran-Brown, regional administrator, said these announcements represent important milestones for the schools, the region, and the diocese.  “I am both excited and hopeful about the future leadership of these two new schools.  Both veteran principals are deeply committed to academic excellence and Catholic identity and mission,” she said.