Greensburg Central Catholic adjusts staffing amid declining enrollment, rising costs

Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School will undergo staffing changes heading into 2025-26 as the school faces declining enrollment.

The private, parochial school’s enrollment spiked following the covid pandemic — jumping from 345 in the 2020-21 school year to 373 in 2021-22. The student population remained relatively consistent across the next two years before dropping to 324 this past school year.

Principal Theresa Szmed expects a bump in enrollment as the Hempfield school’s admissions coordinator works with families on applications and financial aid across the summer months.

“In my experience in working in the Diocese of Greensburg since 2016, I’ve seen anywhere from an increase of 10 students to an increase of 30 over the summer,” she said.

“There’s really no way of judging that. It all depends on what parents are choosing, who’s moving in, who’s moving out.”

Greensburg Central Catholic is making staffing changes to align school resources with student needs. Diocese officials declined to elaborate on the personnel adjustments.

Rising costs for salaries, health care, utilities and student instruction have presented budget challenges for the school, Szmed said.

“In keeping with our promise to be fiscally responsible, some personnel changes were necessary to align our curriculum plans and electives with the current needs of students, as well as to address our overall budget,” Szmed said in a letter recently sent to parents.

“Some of these changes involved personnel matters, and because of the privacy of those affected, I am unable to share any details related to those actions. Change can sometimes be difficult but be assured that such decisions were made to ensure Greensburg Central Catholic’s financial stability and continued excellence.”

Principal: ‘We want to be existing far into the future’

Diocese spokesperson Cliff Gorski said some employees are leaving the district prior to the next school year to pursue other opportunities, but these roles will be filled. There are no anticipated changes to administrative positions, he said.

The staffing changes are aimed at ensuring Greensburg Central Catholic’s longevity and financial stability, Szmed said.

“We only want the best for (our students) and prepare them for life,” she said. “We prepare them to be disciples of Christ. We’re responsible for their souls, so we have an added responsibility and we take that very seriously.”

Of the 69 students who graduated from the school this spring, 66 are enrolled in a higher education institution, Gorski said — 30% of whom will attend a Catholic college or university.

Graduates received $478,880 in scholarships awarded specifically for attending a Catholic high school, he said.

The school opted to adjust staffing over passing the full financial burden along to parents through enrollment, Szmed said.

It costs $14,502 to educate a high school student at Greensburg Central Catholic, according to recent data from the state Department of Education. This is about a $400 increase from the 2022-23 school year.

Tuition covers 46% of the school’s expenses, Szmed said. The remaining 54% comes from the diocese’s Tuition Opportunity Partnership — $4.1 million in scholarship funds launched in 2020 — and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, where select businesses can direct tax credits to one or more of the 12 schools in the Diocese of Greensburg.

The National Catholic Education Association recommends that Catholic schools cover 80% of their expenses through tuition, Szmed said.

“We certainly have to take that into consideration,” she said, “but it doesn’t necessarily mean we need to make changes according to what the NCEA suggests. We certainly need to make some changes so that we have a strong future, and that’s part of my responsibility.”

GCC to expand STEM, music, athletic programs

Financial considerations are particularly key as the school prepares to launch a series of new student programs in the fall. Expanded STEM and music programs will connect students with opportunities at local colleges and universities, and a faith-based athletic initiative will train the school’s coaches to integrate Catholic values into sports, Szmed said.

The school’s new director of advancement, Deb Ritenour, will help gather support for the programs, Szmed said.

Ritenour has taught at Greensburg Central Catholic since 2014, including English/language arts and television production courses. She has a background in national media — such as the USA and NBC television networks — and marketing through roles with Seton Hill, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Women’s Tennis Association Tour.

“She will be instrumental in promoting those (new) programs with our alumni, as well as our current families, and helping all of the new programs to be very successful,” Szmed said.

Ritenour was selected for the role because of her diverse background in communication and marketing, as well as her involvement with the student body, Szmed said. Ritenour is a member of multiple committees at the school and serves as the moderator for the student council.

“Looking at the leadership that she provided in planning, development and extracurricular activities, I certainly wanted to capture that strength and spirit that she has,” Szmed said, “because I felt that this position certainly could use her level of energy.”