Skip to main content
Join Now

Private vs. Public: Bishop McCort Catholic (PA) releases statement on the passing of HB 41

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo04/30/26Andy_Villamarzo

Not long after the announcement that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 41, the state is already hearing from private schools regarding the possible impending separation of private/public schools when it comes to playoff competition. First to publicly comment on the matter was Johnstown (PA) Bishop McCort via an official statement.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

The Crushers released a full statement on the house bill that passed by a 178-23 vote on Wednesday and now will head to a senate vote. Bishop McCort Catholic principal Tom Smith released a statement on the school’s stance on the bill.

“House Bill 41, as currently proposed, creates more division than solutions,” Smith said in a statement. “It unfairly targets so called “non-boundary,” religious schools while ignoring the realities of school choice and student mobility within the public system. Our focus should always remain on our students, and in providing equitable opportunities for all student-athletes, not limiting them based on the type of school they attend.”

The bill passing now sets the stage for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to have the ability to evaluate and potentially implement separate private/public postseason formats.

Now the bill will head to the Senate for a vote before taking the next steps of becoming law in the Keystone State. HB 41 looks to amend the Public School Code of 1949 to add a new section on playoffs and championships that permits the association to establish separate athletic playoffs and championships for boundary schools and non-boundary schools.

“This has gone on long enough, it is egregious to me. The time has come,” Pennsylvania representative Scott Conklin said on Wednesday via a PennLive.com report.

The legal barrier that stood in the way of separating private and public schools in Pennsylvania, via Act 219 / Section 511(b.1)), now is just a Senate vote away from becoming one step closer to reality in the state. 

More about Bishop McCort High School

Bishop McCort High School, located in Johnstown, PA, is a Roman Catholic institution dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community involvement. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletics, with modern facilities like the Bach Wellness Center supporting its programs. The school operates independently under a board of trustees since 2008, providing a comprehensive education rooted in Catholic values.

How to Follow Pennsylvania High School Football

For Pennsylvania high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Keystone State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Pennsylvania high school football excitement across the state.