Delmont resident takes charge of Greensburg diocese's educational improvement tax credit program

A Delmont resident will take charge of programs that provide direction tuition assistance to students in Catholic schools across the Diocese of Greensburg.

Diocese officials announced that William Barnes of Delmont is the new director of special projects.

“Bill is now the direct link between parents, grandparents, parishioners, corporations and anyone who wants to learn more about the educational improvement tax credit program and how they can participate in this investment in Catholic school students,” said Nancy Rottler, superintendent of diocese schools.

In 2001, Pennsylvania lawmakers established a multimillion-dollar tax credit program that allowed businesses, and, later, individuals, to write off state tax bills in return for donations to scholarship funds at private schools.

Supporters successfully have maintained that the money does not represent public support for students attending religious or private schools because it never touches the public treasury, going instead directly to scholarship organizations.

The program provided a way for state lawmakers to circumvent Pennsylvania’s so-called Blaine amendment, which bars public support for religious schools. Over the years, other states have adopted the model.

“This is a very smart way for a corporation, a parent or a parishioner to get a tax credit while providing scholarships for students in the Diocese of Greensburg,” Barnes said.

Before joining the diocese, Barnes spent more than 25 years at Saint Vincent College in admissions, financial aid and data management. He has also served on several nonprofit boards, assisting those organizations with their fundraising efforts.

“I am really excited about meeting with individuals and corporations to explain the EITC program to support Catholic school students,” Barnes said.

“Along with our TOP Student program, the EITC removes some of the financial barriers for parents who want their children to receive a Catholic education while being advantageous to the EITC participant.”