THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

HOME

CALENDAR

PAST WEB ISSUES

from November 7, 2004

Catholic Education  Endowment Nears $1 Million Mark

National Honor Roll Tabs McGuinness as Top 50 School

GOAL!
          
         An artist's rendering of what the future will look like at Bishop McGuinness High School.

Bishop McGuinness Gets Green Light To Begin What is Believed to Be the Largest Education Construction Project in Archdiocesan History
By Steve Gust
For the Sooner Catholic

Bishop McGuinness High School’s commitment to its future and Catholic education is about to take a giant step forward. Next month, the renovation plans reach the critical brick and mortar stage.

The final go-ahead for the project came in mid-October as  Archbishop Beltran and the Archdiocesan Finance Council approved the $9.5 million project.

In the last few weeks a shortfall of $235,000 was reduced to only $70,000 and organizers are optimistic that will quickly be raised as well.

“Once people see this project actually happening, it will lead to more donations,” said Tom Casso, who has spearheaded the capital campaign and plans for construction.

What’s planned in the “Building Faith” campaign is a new look for McGuinness at 801 N.W. 50th. The school has not had a major renovation project in the past 53 years. Two years ago, the planning and organization effort got under way to make the McGuinness building more appealing and better adapted for the education needs of the future. Current classrooms were never constructed with the idea of technology and computer based learning.

The fundraising goal was $8 million, making it the most ambitious in Archdiocesan history. Phase 1 will include a new three-story education center, with more than 58,000 square feet of classroom and office space.

Math and science classrooms will be on the lower level with business and technology classrooms, as well as computer labs and library-media center on the second floor. The second floor also includes a new Student Commons and Cafeteria. Social Studies and English classrooms will be on the third floor.

The east side of the high school will also be reconfigured with a new circular drive by the main entrance, making it easier and safer to pickup and drop off students.  

Construction starts in December and builders will work on the project for an extra week, as students enjoy an extended holiday vacation. David Morton, McGuinness Principal/ President, said offices and classrooms will be accommodated in existing facilities during construction avoiding the use of mobile buildings and rented space.

“That’s a real positive for us, because the use of mobile buildings can be very expensive,” Morton said.

Casso said, “the actual work would be bid out later this month and a contract awarded before Thanksgiving.”  Meyer Architects are finalizing the Phase 1 plans for the contractor bidding process.

While that may seem like a routine process, actually seeing plans move forward is a great victory for planners and the future of Catholic education. Some were a bit skeptical of McGuinness’ ability to conduct a multi-million dollar campaign.

“Some told us we wouldn’t be able to raise $1 million,” Morton said.

Those folks apparently didn’t understand the Fightin’ Irish spirit of McGuinness. That sense of belief in the Catholic school has led to 800 donor gifts. Some of the pledges have been quite generous, with 106 of them in the  $10,000-$50,000 range. Also, 15 donations have been pledged in the $100,000-$1 million range.

The fact other parishes in the Archdiocese were involved in major building projects didn’t deter Casso and Morton, who have made “Building Faith” a focal point for the future of McGuinness. Morton, now in his fourth year as Principal, took the position knowing that renovation would be a key goal. He shared in that vision as did many others.

“We had gone to one home seeking a $5,000 donation and coming away with $35,000,” Morton said. “We had a celebration with donors and it was like a family reunion.”

Casso and others were able to minimize capital needs by making some prudent choices. There had been some discussion about possibly moving McGuinness north, to a larger campus area.

“We looked at that option early on, but it would have tripled our cost,” Casso said. “The public school MAPS projects show such plans costing $25-$30 million.”

As it is, the new plans will help recapture some of the land space of McGuinness with the three-story education center. “There is another practical side of the renovation”, Morton said “modern construction would make McGuinness more energy efficient, saving perhaps as much as 50 percent on heating and cooling bills”.  

Although close to the initial fundraising goal, Casso and others are seeking an additional $500,000 for cafeteria kitchen equipment, terrazzo flooring and a football/soccer practice field.

Those wanting to help invest in the future of Catholic Education at McGuinness can still call the Development office at McGuinness (405) 842-6638.

“This is just a start,” Morton said. “We need to rebuild our gym and continue growing our endowments. But these are exciting times.”

The “Building Faith” Capital Campaign news comes on the heels of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School being selected as one of the Top 50 Catholic Secondary Schools in the nation.