Parochial and private schools seek greater financial stability

La Crosse Tribune, Dec 26, 2003 by Hollnagel, Gayda

Increasing public awareness about their schools and attracting more students will be among the priorities of local private and parochial schools for 2004.

Fund raising also will be a priority for Coulee Catholic Schools, which plans to announce a major endowment campaign in January, said President John Lepetit.

The system also hopes to finalize in June a three- to five-year strategic plan for all schools, he said. The plan is being developed by a committee of 50 to 60 people.

Coulee Catholic Schools also is kicking off a systemwide curriculum overview process and is working on a plan to provide transportation to families in outlying areas who wish to have better access to Catholic education, Lepetit said.

He said the system's leaders also are meeting with local public school officials to discuss some shared programming.

Fund raising also is a priority for Coulee Region Christian Schools of West Salem, Wis., said business manager Susan Nogee.

Nogee said the new campaign, "On Solid Ground," asks supporters and parents to consider making a five-year pledge of financial support to help the system gain greater financial stability. Not having to raise funds every year would allow the school's leaders to spend more time on other areas, she said.

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod schools in La Crosse and surrounding communities are collaborating on the Lutheran Schools Day at the Mall project slated for Saturday, April 17, at Valley View Mall, said David Niemi, principal of First Lutheran School in La Crosse.

"It's nothing major, but it's just something we had not done before," Niemi said.

The daylong event will include music by school choirs and a variety of exhibits. The idea is to increase awareness of WELS schools and the opportunities they offer, Niemi said.

Three Rivers School, a Waldorf school housed in St. Thomas More School in La Crosse, has begun a search for a larger building, said Alma Noll, administrative coordinator.

Noll said the school has one more year on its lease and will need more space by the 2005-06 school year, when it is expected to expand to a full preschool through eighth grade school. The school serves preschool through sixth grade students and will add seventh grade in the fall of 2004.

"We're looking at what buildings would be vacant in the area," Noll said.

The St. Thomas More building has no more available space because the Coulee Catholic Schools' Mary, Mother of the Church preschool center also is housed there.

DATES TO REMEMBER

* Jan. 5: classes resume at all schools

* April 17: Lutheran Schools Day at the Mall

* May 29: Coulee Region Christian Schools graduation; classes dismissed June 2

* May 30: Luther High School graduation, classes dismissed May 27

* June 2: Three Rivers School dismissed

* June 3: Coulee Catholic Schools dismissed