Diocese picks site for school merger

By Elise Franco

Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph’s will combine for 2009-10 at the Norquest Boulevard location.

AUSTINTOWN — The planned merger of two Catholic schools in the township has happened with the current Immaculate Heart of Mary building’s being selected as the location of the new school.

The pastors of Immaculate Heart on Norquest Boulevard and St. Joseph’s School on New Road sent a letter to parents Wednesday informing them of several important decisions, said diocesan Superintendent Michael Skube.

In January, parish councils and finance committees of the two churches recommended that the schools be consolidated into one building for the 2009-10 school year, and Bishop George V. Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has approved the plan.

Skube said the decision was made to house the new school in the current Immaculate Heart of Mary building after taking several factors into consideration.

“After many weeks of work, the committee was unable to decide on either building,” the letter read. “We then asked the chief financial officer of the diocese to conduct a professional evaluation of both buildings.”

It was determined that Immaculate Heart was more structurally sound and better equipped to house all pupils.

Skube said the next major step will be naming the new school.

He said suggestions from parents and pupils will play a role. At a parents meeting Thursday evening, they were asked to fill out a survey with questions related to the school name, mascot, colors and uniforms.

The presidents of both Home and School groups said they prefer not to comment until after Thursday’s meeting.

A final decision on what to name the school will be made by April 1.

“It has to go quickly because this school has been incorporated with the state,” Skube said. “Our accountants have to set up bank accounts and issue contracts and bank ID numbers, but we can’t do that until we have a school name.”

He said that oftentimes the names of the merging schools are combined in some way.

The letter also informed parents that John Rozzo, principal of Immaculate Heart, will become principal of the new school, with Sister Ann Marie serving as assistant principal.

Rozzo said he’s been employed with the Diocese since 1962, nearly 50 years. He became principal in 1972.

“I’m thrilled that I will be a part of the program,” he said. “It’s obvious that when we do something like this there’s apprehension, but I’m very pleased that I will be able to continue working with the Diocese.”

efranco@vindy.com