Michael J. Mullen / Staff Photographer
BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL (STAFF WRITER)
Published: October 15, 2011
SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. – On a cold January day in 2009, Don Rhoten received an unexpected phone call. He was asked to travel from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg to meet with officials from the state Department of Education.
There, the CEO of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf was asked to take over the Scranton State School for the Deaf – a move that at the time sparked protests, petitions and concerns for the school’s future.
On Friday during a dedication of the Scranton school’s new campus, Mr. Rhoten said that anger has been replaced by “pride, excitement and hope.”
Now called the Scranton School for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children, the school has moved from Green Ridge to the former Lourdesmont campus on Venard Road.
Friday’s brunch and dedication featured performances by student group “Sign Connection” and was attended by about 200 elected officials, teachers, alumni and community members.
Two and a half years ago, the administration and board of WPSD knew taking over the Scranton school was a challenge they had to accept, said Chris McCrady, president of the school’s board of trustees.
“All we wanted was time to prove our intentions,” he said. “We hope we’ve lived up to that.”
Mr. McCrady also thanked Mr. Rhoten, and his wife, Cathy, who has played an integral role in the transition and is now director of outreach programs.
“They accepted the challenge because they have a special place in their hearts for children, especially children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing,” Mr. McCrady said before unveiling the building’s new name: the Cathy and Don Rhoten Learning Center – a surprise announcement that brought tears to Mrs. Rhoten.
Tours of the renovated building on the 100-acre campus followed, showcasing the new paint, floors, ceilings and technology. Including the purchase of the property and renovations, $5 million has been invested – and none of it taxpayer dollars, Mr. Rhoten said.
The school purchased the campus from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd last year for $2.4 million. The deaf school’s former location, on North Washington Avenue, is now owned by Marywood University.
Thomas Gluck, former acting secretary of education under Gov. Ed Rendell, spent hours working with Mr. Rhoten to finalize details of the transition, which happened in summer 2009.
Mr. Gluck was on campus Friday to view the results.
“This is a very happy ending – or beginning,” he said.
Source: http://thetimes-tribune.com/school-for-deaf-dedicates-new-campus-1.1218510#ixzz1arAW25Y0