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BELLAIRE — The Diocese of Steubenville announced Tuesday that St. John Central High School will close its doors in June, ending 162 years of history at the Catholic high school.
The decision to close the school came after a unanimous recommendation from the diocese Board of Pastors, Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton said. “I am extremely disappointed, however the enrollment, declining financial resources and support, and the estimated necessary capital expenditures are now beyond our control and leave me with no real choice.”
The high school has struggled to maintain a viable enrollment for at least a decade. In October 2015, the school reported 91 students, with that number dropping to 40 students for the 2016-17 school year. Current enrollment is at 43 students, Monforton said.
One of the leading factors in Tuesday’s decision is the immediate need for repairs to the school’s heating system, with a long-term fix estimated at $500,000.