The Diocese of Allentown has instituted a new board designed to help guide schools success in a competitive market at Bethlehem Catholic HS.

Diocesan officials tested and implemented the board at several other local Catholic schools including Central Catholic HS in Allentown. Becahi is one of the remaining schools to implement the Board of General Jurisdiction to their operations along with three other high schools, 10 elementary schools and special learning centers by the end of the year.

The Board of General Jurisdiction is designed to operate like a board of directors at a college and follow a governance model designed by the Diocese.

This new governing body will tackle topics such as school sustainability with committees being formed to address the areas of financial management, marketing and enrollment, fundraising and accountability. A committee to focus on strategic planning will be developed as the board progresses, according to a press release.

"We are very grateful to the focused leaders who have stepped up to serve on our board. In selecting board members, we looked to match the needs of the school with the skills and expertise of the individuals we asked to serve, as is evidenced by the talent, acumen and strong moral character these individuals bring with them," said John Petruzzelli, Bethlehem Catholic principal in a press release. "We are confident that with this new board leadership, BECA will continue to grow, to overcome challenges and to carry out our mission of developing tomorrow's leaders."

Current day-to-day operation of the school, student and parent issues, and faculty oversight will still be maintained by the current administration.

Partnering with the Healey Education Foundation and utilizing it's signature initiative, the Catholic School Development Program, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to sustain and grow Catholic schools by "helping schools help themselves", Bethlehem Catholic hopes to find success.

The foundation provided training to the board along with providing ongoing support to ensure the board is as successful as possible. They are also providing ongoing consulting services to the administration which is responsible for the focus areas of the board, according to a press release.

"Our efforts will be squarely focused on creating sustained growth in enrollment and marketing the school as a viable and profound choice for higher education in the Lehigh Valley," David J. Griffith, board president, said in a press release. "We look forward to further advancing the great vision that's been established by school administrators."

As part of the process to form the board Bethlehem Catholic and the other schools in the Diocese have filed for nonprofit organization status in Pennsylvania. Bethlehem Catholic will become Bethlehem Catholic HS, Inc. The first meeting was held Nov. 12. The board plans to provide quarterly updates on their activity in conjunction with state of the school style meetings.