Arbitrator: Diocese Needs $49M to Replace Massachusetts School

An arbitration panel has ruled that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield should get as much as $49 million from its insurance company to replace Cathedral High School, which sustained such severe damage during a 2011 tornado that it’s been closed since.

The insurance company, Catholic Mutual Group, argued the school could be repaired and offered $15 million. The diocese wanted $70 million to replace the school.

The arbitration panel issued its ruling Tuesday.

A spokesman for the diocese tells The Republican that church lawyers will file a revised claim with the insurance company based on the arbitration ruling. The company has 30 days to write a check or appeal. Catholic Mutual did not return calls for comment.

Students have been taking classes in rented space in Wilbraham.