Pennsylvania school districts are struggling to make financial decisions when it comes to preparing for next year.

The coronavirus pandemic has created many unknowns in tax revenue, state allocations and outside donations.

For Catholic schools, which are supported mostly through tuition, the unknowns are even bigger. But locally, that doesn't mean next school year is a lost cause.

“We are definitely opening next year,” said Sister John Ann Mulhern, principal of Butler Catholic School. “We're definitely going to be here.”

Economic challenges

This is not to say Butler Catholic won't face economic challenges.

Although exact numbers still are unclear, Mulhern expects the school will need to navigate tuition shortages because of local pandemic-induced financial hardships.

“Every family is struggling financially,” Mulhern said.

Mulhern said operating budgets for Catholic schools in the Pittsburgh Diocese break down in the same way: Between 60 percent and 65 percent is covered by tuition, about 25 percent is covered by parish subsidies and roughly 15 percent is covered by fundraising.

No money comes directly from the diocese, according to Michelle Peduto, director of Catholic schools in the Pittsburgh Diocese.

Between school events being canceled and parishes being closed, Catholic schools are facing many challenges.

“It's difficult,” Peduto said. “We don't know what to expect.”

Locally, Butler Catholic might face financial shortages on more than one front.

“Our parish subsidies have gone way down,” Mulhern said. “We're trying to figure that out.”

Butler Catholic celebrated its 50th anniversary this school year and is the oldest consolidated school in the Pittsburgh Diocese.

With five parishes in the city contributing to the school's enrollment, it educates about 270 students in preschool through eighth grade. Mulhern aims to keep Butler Catholic's 17 full-time and five part-time teachers on staff for next year.

Next year's budget is still being worked through, Mulhern said. She said Butler Catholic traditionally tries to follow the Pennsylvania Department of Education's June 30 deadline for passing general fund budgets.

Coping with funding shortages

As in public districts, Butler Catholic officials are attempting to fill in the blanks about potential funding shortages.

This year's budget was $1.6 million. Mulhern said at the moment, next year's total isn't as clear.

“A lot of our budget (this next year) is based on speculation,” Mulhern said. “We don't know what we have.”

Mulhern said parents have been “faithful” when it comes to making their tuition payments, even in the wake of COVID-19.

“We know finances are going to be tight,” Mulhern said. “But we're going to ... have to be good stewards of the bank account.”

Next year might be a time for “taking risks” and expanding horizons, Mulhern said. She specifically discussed the fact that students began online instruction March 16, shortly after the state mandated school closures.

Mulhern said providing one Chromebook for each student is important for students to have a solid education. So is being fluent in web-based platforms, such as Google Classrooms.

“Our students are comfortable with their ability to navigate it,” Mulhern said.

When it comes to the future, Mulhern is gleaning hope from a Catholic saying: “Providence did provide; Providence can provide; Providence will provide.”

Peduto said the diocese has a task force in place to review educational “scenarios” for its 37 schools for next year.

The diocese announced plans earlier this year for a four-school consolidation in another county. Peduto said other consolidations are part of the larger discussion for the diocese.

“We're looking at every option,” Peduto said, “with the goal of being sustainable and accessible.”

Mulhern wants students to return to a brick-and-mortar setting in the fall.

Whether it's a long lost “rich uncle” or a familiar face in the community, Mulhern believes God will call forth someone — or many someones — to assist financially with the future of Catholic education in Butler County.

“He'll speak to somebody's heart,” Mulhern said.

Mulhern said school officials need to be hopeful, above all else. Giving in to doubt and worry can be detrimental to a child's education.

“It's the kids who suffer,” Mulhern said. “You have to keep a positive attitude.”