The opening of the new Episcopal School of Cincinnati has been postponed a year, due to problems in transforming a museum building into a school.

        The elementary school, to be located at the former Natural History Museum, 1720 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, was to open this fall.

        “I think we were a little ambitious in the beginning,” said the Rev. James Hanisian, archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. “As we've gotten into it, we've had to slow it down some. We are looking at a year from now.”

        The diocese announced in July 2000 that it would start a school for preschool to eighth-grade students. Church and Cincinnati Museum Center officials agreed to swap a building on Gest Street for the Gilbert Avenue landmark.

        “We've got a building that was built to be a museum. To take and make it classrooms, it really was a refitting project,” the Rev. Mr. Hanisian said. Technological installations in the building further complicated the project.

        Money is also an issue. “It's clear we're going to be coming to the community for money at some point,” he said, adding that he didn't have any figures on how much needs to be raised.

        Episcopal Life newspaper reported in March that the school would cost at least $12 million to open. Part of the cost would be financed through a $10.3 million bond issue, the newspaper reported.

        No students had enrolled. “The enrollment process had not begun,” the Rev. Mr. Hanisian said.

        Carolyn Blackburn, a former lower school principal at Cincinnati Country Day, was hired as principal. Because of the timing and lack of work, she has left to take a position at Duke University, the Rev. Mr. Hanisian said.

        She could not be reached for comment.

        The school's board of trustees is also reorganizing.

        The school plans to enroll students from low- and middle-income households.

Ticketing shortfall pinches budget
Winning big isn't ticket to paradise
Adding 75 police slots proposed
Bargains abound at Sayler Park
South Cumminsville blooms anew
Council clerk clocks out
Football team scores uniforms
Private school debut delayed
Urban board has to meet in the open
$100K is OK with 5-number lottery winner
Fest shows musical taste
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
MCNUTT: Warren County
Norwood officer up for hearing
Tristate A.M. Report
UC pay offer: Merit but no across-the-board
City cable to air political ads
Commandments stay for now
Pilot dies in plane crash
Suspect says he killed 6
Two arrested in boy's fatal BB shooting
Baby's mother comes forward
Covington police chief to retire
EKU names woman president
Keating disbarred in Ky.
Ky. man shoots wife, kills self
Latonia groups converge at intersection to honor Korean War veterans
Meetings to detail water system sale
N. Ky. GOP searching for accord