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Mooney renovation progressing
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Cardinal Mooney High School students returned to classes this week to brighter hallways and classrooms and new floors, ceilings and windows.
“It’s all brighter,” said junior Ray Anderson. “It’s a different atmosphere. It feels fresher.”
Senior Gwen Sieman sees a big difference.
“It’s all new floors, new ceilings, new lighting,” she said.
The work, completed during the summer, is the first phase of a three-phase, $5 million renovation at the nearly 60-year-old Catholic school.
A gift from Denise DeBartolo York and Eddie DeBartolo Jr. initiated the project that will be completed over the next two summers. Their gift sparked donations from other alumni.
The project’s first phase includes a complete roof replacement, new tile floor and reflective ceilings, remodeling offices and some classrooms, energy-efficient lighting, new energy-efficient windows in the front of the building and a new facade.
“It’s a whole new look,” said the Rev. Gerald DeLucia, Mooney president.
The DeBartolo York/DeBartolo contribution also establishes a new endowment at the school.
“God bless them and thank them,” Father DeLucia said.
Michael Latessa, Mooney vice president for institutional advancement, said the school distributed $425,000 in financial aid this year, the largest amount ever.
Last year, Bishop George V. Murry announced that Mooney would stay in the city rather than relocate to the suburbs. There had been talk of moving to the southern part of Mahoning County, but the fundraising effort failed to generate the $23 million preliminary goal. Total cost of the new school was estimated at $34.5 million.
Father DeLucia said the DeBartolo York/DeBartolo gift was part of what had been pledged, and the family moved it to the renovation project when the bishop decided the school would stay put.
The school hopes others who supported the move will contribute that money to the endowment, too, Father DeLucia said.
Tuition is $7,300 per year.
This year’s enrollment is 473, about the same as last year. Because 130 students, a large class, graduated last June, school officials view that number as a plus.
“We recruited all of that number that graduated and a little bit more,” Father DeLucia said.
A wet June provided some challenges to the renovation’s first phase, P.J. Fecko, director of facilities, said, but contractors and school officials met the deadlines for school to open.
“When we removed the old facade, it looked like a dollhouse is the best way to describe it,” he said. “You could see all of the floors.”
Ramps and restrooms to accommodate people with disabilities also were added in the renovation, Fecko said.
The next two phases include more window installation, cafeteria renovation and improvements to the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
Rob Raseta, who has been teaching math at Mooney for 17 years, said the new lighting makes a big difference. Other technology improvements include SMART Boards and televisions for classrooms.
“The kids were excited,” Raseta said.
Leah Muntean, a first-year Spanish and Italian teacher, said the school looks beautiful.
“I’m so excited about what this year will bring,” she said.