UPDATE ON OUR SCHOOL AND ITS
BOARD OF LIMITED JURISDICTION
As another very exciting year comes to an end at our school, I would like to offer an update for everyone; there’s lots of news to share. As was announced just last week, Adria Crowley, who led our school over the past two years in many new and innovative ways, has resigned to tend to ongoing health issues. I’m sure you join me in assuring her of our prayers. Jeanne Mulvanerty, a longtime parishioner whose four children attended our school and who was a very successful president of our Home & School Board for five years, has accepted my invitation to succeed Adria as our principal. Her extensive experience as a mother, business woman and educator will certainly benefit our school as she takes the helm. Our school enrollment remains strong with 402 students signed up for September.
Our Board of Limited Jurisdiction also continues to provide outstanding assistance. Formed just six years ago, the very dedicated members of this Board have offered their expertise to help us with marketing our school, increasing enrollment from 381 students in 2018 to over 400 students over the past few years. It has also raised over $1 million over these past six years, allowing our school to become more financially self-sufficient and providing funds for special projects such as installing a new flat roof, replacing the fire detection system, upgrading the internet hardware, repainting the gymnasium and replacing several windows throughout our school building.
A Board of Limited Jurisdiction is a model of school governance already in place – and working well – in over 25 schools in our archdiocese as well as in schools in several (arch)dioceses throughout the country. These boards are comprised of parishioners and non-parishioners who value Catholic education and who have a vested interest in the success and future viability of their local school. These Boards don’t get involved in the everyday operation of the school but, in collaboration with the principal and pastor, they oversee development, marketing, facilities, finances, and enrollment.
A new feature that the Board has recently established is an endowment fund. It was initiated when Dick and Joyce Guyer, whose nine children attended our school (Steven -‘73, Kathie -’74, Doug – ’75, Michael – ’77, David – ’78, Mark – ’79, Carolyn -’81, Matthew -’82 and R.J. – ’88) and who have been strong supporters ever since, recently gave $250,000 to establish an endowment fund. Since then, others have added to this fund; it now stands at $327,000. Additionally, Charles and Mari Connolly recently donated $100,000 to our school to establish a fund in memory of their son, Tom, who had Down Syndrome. This fund is dedicated to assist our school as it continues to find new ways to help students who require extra attention due to special needs or learning differences.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Ben Piazza, our outstanding Board chairman, and all of the members of this Board for their strong dedication to our school. I’m confident that the Board will continue to provide invaluable support to our school so that it can continue to teach our children and form them in the faith in the same tradition as it has for over 100 years.
Like all private and parochial schools, one of the ongoing challenges our school faces is ensuring sufficient funding to pay our excellent faculty and staff as well as to support all of our school initiatives. Although our tuition is the highest in the archdiocese ($7,200 for the first child), our expenses continue to exceed our ordinary income and we rely on the strong fundraising efforts of our Board of Limited Jurisdiction and our Home & School Board, along with a subsidy from the parish, to bridge the gap. This past year, our BLJ contributed $350,000 and our H&S Board contributed an additional $37,000; the parish provided $107,000 as well. Please keep this in mind as you are asked to support our school’s fundraising efforts and when you contribute to the parish’s Sunday collection.
I’m sure you agree with me that our school is more important than ever to assist our parents to not only provide an excellent education but also a strong Catholic formation for their children. At a time when there is so much division and hatred in our country, our Lord calls us to unity in God’s love. Our students and their parents need all the support we can offer so I encourage your ongoing support for our school. Let me again take this opportunity to thank our Board of Limited Jurisdiction, our Home & School Board and our outstanding faculty and staff for ensuring that our school remains a clear beacon of Christ’s light and truth in our community!