Six weeks after receipt of a letter from major sponsors suggesting Cardinal Mooney High School on Erie St. in Youngstown be renovated, the school’s board of directors announced on Monday a that a more than year-long campaign to build a new high school, possibly along Western Reserve Rd., near West Calla Rd., would be suspended.
      The letter was sent to Bishop George Murry, head of the Youngstown Diocese, and indicated at least $10 million dollars could be raised from donors to “make the school on Erie St. the best it can be,” including for children who are disadvantaged, at risk and struggling...”
      The letter proposed renovating the current school and insure “a safe haven employing caring and committed teachers who are focusing on academic excellence/” That proposal has already received support from the Mayor of Youngstown, city councilmen, numerous priests and politicians, and many altruistic friends of Cardinal Mooney,” Bishop Murry was informed.
      In announcing the suspension of plans to build a new school, Bishop Murry said $14 million in pledges had been received during the campaign for a new high school.
      Total cost of building a new Mooney High School was set at $34.5 million, according to the Youngstown Diocese.
      “Because [the board of directors] were unable to reach a $23 million goal, Bishop Murry had no choice but to suspend the campaign and consider other options,” the Diocese said.
      While some members of the greater Youngstown community have recommended merging the two existing high schools in the city, Bishop Murry said that “such conversations, while sincere, were premature. Now that it is clear that it will not be possible to build a new school, Mooney will need to revise their strategic plan to respond to their present needs and the anticipated needs of the future.”
      Mooney Board Chair, Edward Reese, said that “Cardinal Mooney High School is a key pillar in the Mahoning Valley Community. Mooney has a great history and tradition. As a consequence, we will continue do everything possible to insure a strong future for Cardinal Mooney.”