Diocese 'grateful' for city support, spokesman said.



(The story was last updated at 6 p.m., to include comments from State Rep. Angelo Puppolo, Springfield City Council President Michael Fenton, At-large Councilor Timothy Rooke and Ward 7 Councilor Timothy Allen).

SPRINGFIELD - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, in response to Monday's announcement that a regional Catholic high school will be built to merge Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic high schools, said he is "steadfast" in pushing for that site to be on the old Cathedral site on Surrey Road in East Forest Park.

"I applaud Bishop Mitchell Rozanski in announcing the rebuilding of Cathedral High School, however; I reiterated again to the Bishop this morning as I have in previous meetings and phone conversations that I remain steadfast in our desire to see the school re-built on its home on Surrey Road," Sarno said in a prepared release. "The City of Springfield has supported Cathedral at its temporary home in Wilbraham by providing over $1,000,000 of support in busing as well as assisting with locations for athletic practices and events. We will continue to support Cathedral as long as rebuilding on Surrey Road remains the plan."

Asked for additional comment regarding if support could be withdrawn, Sarno said: "All options and recources are on the table in order to facilitate Cathedral High School being rebuilt back at its rightful home on Surrey Road."

Cathedral was severely damaged in the tornado of 2011, relocating to a temporary site in Wilbraham.

State Rep, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. D-Springfield, said he is very disappointed that the bishop did not announce Monday that Surrey Road will be the site for the new regional Catholic high school.

The bishop said that site is one of the options being considered for the new school, among other sites.

"I must say that I am very disappointed in the Bishop's announcement (or lack thereof) today relative to definitely rebuilding Cathedral High School," Puppolo said in a prepared release. "While a regional high school combining Holyoke Catholic and Cathedral is an interesting idea, in my opinion, there is no reason to look any further than the Surrey Road site for any such high school."

Puppolo said he will continue to stress the importance of fully using and rebuilding on the Surrey Road site.

"Plain and simple let's rebuild on Surrey Road – what is the Bishop waiting for?" Puppolo said. "It's not rocket science. Sell or give Holyoke Catholic to the Elms and rebuild a combined High School on Surrey Road in Springfield. No need for drawn out committees and further delays!"

Springfield City Council President Michael Fenton, said he likes the ideal of a regionalization plan for Catholic eduction. But he said he is disappointed that the Surrey Road location isn't a given.

"I'm very happy to hear the bishop's announcement with respect to a regionalization plan for Catholic education –very disappointed though that he has not yet chosen Surrey Road location as the home for that future school," he said.

"The city of Springifield and its taxpayers have invested a great deal of resources, time, talent and treasure in helping Cathedral High School over the last five years,"including busing and a lunch program.

Fenton said the city should withhold that help if the "bishop continues to be indecisive" about building the school at Surrey Road.

City Councilor Timothy Rooke, a parent and neighbor of Cathedral High School, also expressed frustration about the announcement.

"Noah and his family build the Ark faster than we have been able to rebuild Cathedral High School," Rooke said. "And they didn't have insurance and FEMA money."

Councilor Timothy Allen said he is glad the Bishop decided to build a new Catholic high school, "and that families and students can count on a continuation of their education."

"However, I believe this new high school belongs in Springfield, Mass., which is the home to the diocese, and the hub of Western Massachusetts," Allen said. "Springfield is the population center of Western Mass., and has been the home of Cathedral High School for 50 years. The city and the neighborhood want it back where it belongs."

Staff writer Carolyn Robbins contributed to this report.