Greensburg Central Catholic principal and director of admissions resigned last month, search is ongoing

Three high-level administrators have left Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School since June.

Principal Kevin Frye resigned without warning effective immediately Sept. 6, two weeks into the academic year. Director of Admissions Elyse Bogner resigned in the same fashion Sept. 8.

The assistant principal, Nicole Marchese, left in June — following the end of the 2022-23 academic year — to pursue another opportunity. The assistant principal gave ample notice to the school, Diocese of Greensburg spokesperson Cliff Gorski said.

Frye and Bogner could not be reached for comment.

Gorski did not provide a reason for Frye or Bogner’s departure, calling it a “personnel matter.”

The diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools is looking for replacements for the positions. The office includes the superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of curriculum and instruction, director of special projects and several other administration support professionals.

Applications for the positions, which can be found on online job sites, are being received, Gorski said. The diocese declined to provide further comment.

Also in June, four teachers retired and five left the school for “opportunities elsewhere,” Gorski said. This is “routine turnover” for the school, he said, and each of the teacher positions has been filled.

The school is awaiting the arrival of a religious education teacher who will help support campus ministry, Gorski said.

Unexpected departure

Frye began his role as principal July 1, 2022.

“In the coming year, I look forward to collaborating with our talented staff and supportive families to improve our facilities, expand our educational opportunities and rededicate our work to the ‘Glory of God Alone,’ ” Frye said in a welcome letter last year.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s enrollment is nearly 360 students. The 12 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Greensburg teach about 2,700 students.

For the 2022-23 school year, the cost to educate a senior high student is $14,135 and a junior high student is $11,117, plus a $400 technology fee for each student, according to the school’s website. Financial aid is available.

Sharyn Zalno, a former teacher within the diocese, is acting principal at the high school.

Zalno retired from the diocese in 2022 after serving as director of curriculum and instruction for six years. Before that, she was interim principal of Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School in Connellsville for about a year and a teacher and administrator at Queen of Angels Catholic School in North Huntingdon for 18 years.

School Superintendent Nancy Rottler declined a request for an interview but provided a statement.

“I want to assure families that I, along with my colleagues from the Office of Catholic Schools, will continue to be visible during this transition, and the work to find an exemplary leader for GCC is already underway,” Rottler said.

Anthony Coletti, a parent with two children at the high school, said he is disappointed by Frye’s resignation, but not concerned.

“We had an excellent relationship with (Frye), and I can honestly say he is a wonderful person,” wrote Coletti of North Huntingdon via email. “Regarding staff changes, we did lose some great teachers, but I don’t think that turnover is out of the ordinary.

“It happens in every school and every organization. Our children have not noticed any day-to-day differences, and our family has not been impacted by the change in leadership or instructors,” said Coletti, an alumnus of Greensburg Central Catholic. “The core values of Central still exist.”

Parent Matt Cheplic said he is confident in Zalno’s ability as interim principal. His daughter, who attends the high school, knew Zalno from her time at Queen of Angels.

“Mrs. Zalno has many years of experience and does a wonderful job at building relationships,” said Cheplic of North Irwin. “I think she was the perfect choice to step in.”