Committee formed to save Custar St. Louis School |
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Sunday, 22 March 2009 01:00 |
CUSTAR—Weak economy, high unemployment, smaller congregations, state mandates, declining enrollment and increased expenses have all put another Toledo Diocese Catholic school in jeopardy of closing. Custar St. Louis School is running a $60,000 to $70,000 deficit for this year.
“We cannot sustain this amount of deficit for very long. Something has to be done now to stem the losses and reduce the strain on the parish,” says Father Jeffrey Nordhaus, pastor of St. Louis.
Mark Gerschutz, finance committee president, says the school has made great progress in cutting expenses by upgrading to programmable thermostats, buying fuel in bulk for an estimated annual savings of more than $10,000 and continuing to look for ways to save. He says all of the fat has been eliminated from the school budget.
The small, accredited Catholic school in southern Wood County has been in operation since 1875, giving its pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students an outstanding Catholic education, according to principal Richelle Piercefield. The school is topnotch in technology and most students go on to higher education, she says, which is part of St. Louis’ problem. Students get good jobs, are successful and move away from the rural farming community.
Fr. Nordhaus says the parish community is determined to continue operating the school. The decision has been made to remain open for the 2009 – 2010 school year but beyond that depends on financial realities.
In December 2008, a steering committee was formed with guidance from Jack Altenburger, superintendent of diocesan Catholic schools, and Precious Blood Sister Joyce Lehman, leader of the diocesan Secretariat for Pastoral Leadership, to address the school’s financial crisis. The committee has decided to conduct an annual fund drive campaign to targeting alumni, ex-parishioners and the local community to help relieve the strain on the parish. If successful, the school can remain open with a viable long-range financial plan and continue to provide students with a quality Catholic education.
The goal for the current school year is $40,000 and $42,000 for 2009/2010. This is essentially conducting a two-year fundraiser in one year.
“I know we are behind in our efforts and should have begun this endeavor last year, but I have faith in the Catholic community that with Christ’s help, we will be successful in our campaign,” says Dan Hoile, St. Louis School Steering Committee president.
The committee believes a Catholic education is vital in today’s society and asks all to pray for the success of the campaign so that St. Louis School can stay open for another 134 years.
More information is available at the school Web site at www.stlouiscustaroh.com. Donations may be sent to St. Louis School Fund, 22776 Defiance Pike, Custar, OH 43511.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 May 2009 09:08 |
