The President’s Blog at NCHS

Tribune Review Article:
Diocese considers high school in Cranberry
By Rick Wills TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has acquired an option to buy 71 acres in
Cranberry as a possible site for North Catholic High School.
The land is on the northern side of Route 228, across from St. Kilian
Elementary School and near the Westinghouse Electric Co. campus.
The option to buy lasts until the end of this year and was paid for
with a deposit, said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, a spokesman for the
diocese. In the next six months, the diocese will determine whether the
property is suitable for a school.
“The people who have looked at it think it is a good location,” he
said.
The high school could someday accommodate 1,100 students or more.
The school and diocese announced in 2006 their intention to move from
Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood to the North Hills, largely because
of declining enrollment.
“There is a much smaller pool of students, not just in the city but in
the whole area. But the North Hills is one area that is growing and
where there is demand,” Lengwin said.
North Catholic opened in 1939 and enrollment peaked at about 1,200 in
the 1960s. Last year, 272 students attended the school. It counts some
well known people among its alumni, including Mayor Luke Ravenstahl,
Steelers owner Dan Rooney and the late Allegheny County Commissioner Tom
Foerster.
Until last school year, the Cranberry area had no parochial schools.
In September, St. Kilian School opened — the first school to open in
the diocese since 1964. Demand was immediate, and some parents slept in
cars to be first in line to enroll children in the school.
The cost of moving North Catholic is expected to total more than $22
million, Lengwin said.
So far, about $7 million has been raised, and the weak economy makes
fundraising more of a challenge, he said while offering some hope:
“There has been strong support for Catholic education in this area.”
About the writer
Rick Wills can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7944.

Coaching Openings:
North Catholic is looking for applications for the Head coaching
positions for Girls Volleyball and Boys Lacrosse.  If interested please
contact Athletic Director Jason Lucia at 412-321-4823 ext 125.

Bus Drivers needed:
We are in need iof bus drivers for our Athletic and activity bus trips.
If interested please contact Jason Lucia ext 125 or Joe Wilson ext
106.

Hall of Fame:
Nominations are being accepted for Class of 2010.  Please provide
detail letter and mail to Mr. Paul Stutz or Bill Linkenheimer at North
Catholic. This is YOUR opportunity to Honor worthy individuals.

Remember in your prayers fellow Trojans that have passed away:
Mike Wilson Class ‘78
Tomas Kutzer ‘53
Paul Kress’ 52
Joseph Bosco ‘47

Key Dates:
Trojan Open – Golf Outing – August 10th
Steeler Regular Season Ticket Raffle – June – August
Homecoming Football Game – September 18th
Hall of Fame – Oct 4th

Filed under: Trojan News and tagged New Building, Requiescat_in_pace