Online debate is ramping up after Bishop McCort Catholic Academy was recently approved for a $178,000 state grant to be used to remodel its high school gymnasium.
Now, questions are being raised about whether or not a private school should be eligible for public grant funding.
The debate began over the weekend after Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria County) shared the funding announcement on social media.
Supporters argue that the school deserves the grant, while others suggest that it could be a waste of state money and may violate a state constitutional clause that forbids the use of government money to help a private school.
On Monday, we spoke with Bishop McCort Principal Tom Smith who said that the school has applied for and received multiple state-level grants in the past.
He also explained that the gym-floor project qualified for such funding because it met the criteria for the Local Share Account (LSA) grant.
That criteria included the gym floor being used to serve the public, which Smith says the school already does that by hosting various public events and youth leagues for cheer, basketball and wrestling.
Despite repeated efforts to speak with Rep. Burns on the issue, we were unable to talk to him directly.
Instead, Rep. Burns issued a public statement on Tuesday, defending his support for the grant funding for the gymnasium project.
“In order for Bishop McCort to apply for state funding, they had to demonstrate that the gym serves a public purpose and is used for community recreational opportunities. The school hosts a basketball league for up to 15 school districts, wrestling tournaments and clinics, an annual cheerleading competition, summer youth camps, and a space to hold various community fundraising events – all of which are open for public participation. If that doesn’t meet the definition of ‘public use,’ I don’t know what would.’
“As such, it was determined that this project met the parameters of the Local Share Account Program and was unanimously approved by the bipartisan board of the Commonwealth Financing Authority.”
“I supported this grant application because it’s my job to bring home our share of state dollars, which I’ve done to the tune of $415 million since taking office. I help all the schools in the 72nd District find the resources they need to serve our communities. In the past eight years, I’ve announced over $39 million in state grants to local public schools, on top of the vast increases in the state budget for public education. It’s about the students.’
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development noted that, according to the grant application, the project is expected to support numerous community-oriented activities, including a basketball league that is not limited to Bishop McCort students and families.