St. Hubert’s Advisory Board members discuss what’s in store for the school’s future

Just because St. Hubert’s High School has been spared closure doesn’t mean the efforts to keep it open are through.

Advisory Board members Kathy Ott Lovell and Tom Forkin were at last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to thank residents for their support during the closure appeal and let them know what’s in store for the future.

“We flew into action,” Ott Lovell said about the board’s reaction to the Jan. 6 announcement that the school was among four Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools to close at the end of this school year. Looking ahead, she said, “We will not take the school for granted. We will not take this community for granted.”

Calling Hubert’s and its brother school, Father Judge, anchors of the Northeast, Ott Lovell and Forkin both credited the community for calling attention to the region’s need for Hubert’s and the all-girls Catholic education it provides. In total, 16 events over 16 days helped raised $1.3 million from 6,000 people. That, in addition to donations from investors, will keep Hubert’s and the other diocese high schools afloat for now.

But Ott Lovell said she hopes the community, which raised $10,000 before the first donation rally was even held, can continue to do its part.

“It was really the incredible galvanization of support at the grassroots level [that ultimately saved the school],” she said. “Everyone thought about what they could give and then they gave more.”  As Forkin pointed out, the investors credited with keeping Hubert’s doors open even pointed toward the community’s effort as their own call to action.

Moving forward, Ott Lovell said the Advisory Board will become a more organized, engaged body. Ultimately, the goal is to raise $1 million each year.