“Bigger Than Its Boundaries”

“Bigger Than Its Boundaries” Welcome Opening Prayer “God has endowed each of us with great possibilities. How we use our gifts and talents will make all the difference to us and to the world. We want each child to realize how much God loves him or her. By loving and serving God and others, they will bring peace and happiness to this world. More importantly, they will find love and happiness for all eternity.” Rev. Martin Stillmock, C.Ss.R. Pastor, 1987-1993 “Bigger Than Its Boundaries”

Questions We Can Answer • What is the purpose of this meeting? • To come together… • To learn about our financial situation • To discuss the present and future of Holy Name School Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

What is the purpose of this meeting?Short Overview • Long Term financial effects of… • Number of families able to pay full tuition • Increased need for emergency maintenance • Increases in regular expenses • Decrease in size of contributions • Decrease in net income from fundraisers • Endowments below principle value Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • How long have we been facing this challenge? • Why are we just hearing about this situation? • Holy Name has weathered financial crisis many times • Declining financial projections 2005 • Things got better, we made it through the valley • Current situation became critical at the start of the 2009-2010 school year Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • How did St. Richard School and Parish closing affect Holy Name? • Directly – not at all • St. Richard was first in the public lime light • St. Richard Parish had 137 registered parishioners • 75% of them were over the age of 65 • HN gave staff time to St. Richard • HN general operating funds never used for St. Richard Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Can Holy Name raise tuition fees? • Holy Name at top of ladder for tuition charged per family • We do not realize full tuition from over 60% of currently enrolled families • Many children require major support Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Why can’t west Omaha Parishes help us ? • They have… • Numerous monetary and in kind gifts • Parishes take in more money • Also feel the economic pinch • Is it fair to say that 600 students in a school out west are less worthy than our students? Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Is there any chance that the school will close before the end of the 2009-2010 school year? • No Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • When will we know if the school will be open for the 2010-2011 school year? • Our outlook needs to be one of hope! • Is the question, will we be open or… • Will the school look the same as today? Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Are we enrolling children from families who cannot afford the tuition? • Yes • Break down of 105 families currently enrolled • 29% full tuition, 29% partial tuition • 42% Children’s Scholarship Fund recipients Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • How much are we in debt? • At the end of this fiscal year • July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 • Debt will be $309,000 • Teachers contracts go to August 15th, 2010 • We will honor these contracts Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What steps have been taken to grow enrollment? • Holy Name School marketing: • Local newspapers • Local magazines • Web site • Direct mail • Other parishes and schools events • Marketing campaign CORE board • Word of mouth • A little information about growing enrollment… Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What about combining schools under the over sight of the CORE Board? • CORE Schools: • All Saints • Assumption-Guadalupe • Blessed Sacrament • Holy Name • Sacred Heart • St. Bernard • Ss. Peter and Paul Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What about combining schools under the over sight of the CORE Board? • Each parish and school is autonomous • under the umbrella of the Archdiocese • under the advisement of the CORE Board • Who would decide which schools should close? • Which school is going to step up and say we will close? Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Can or will the Archdiocese help us out? • The Chancery and the Catholic Schools Office are aware of our situation • Archdiocesan Annual Appeal generates about $30,000 each year • CORE Fundraiser: Marketing and about $5,000 • Marketing our current information in a positive light to the larger community Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Children’s Scholarship Fund: • This program is funded separately from the Archdiocese • CSF funds support children who qualify from any private school • Holy Name received almost $90,000 in tuition assistance for 42% of our families Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Can or will the Archdiocese help us out? • The Archdiocese has no funds to help us out • Possibly co-sign a loan for this school year • As a Catholic community we cannot become a financial burden to the Archdiocese Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What steps have been taken so far? • Most recently: • Personal asks to individuals • Foundation proposals for general operating expenses • Most foundations do not fund general operating requests • Alerting alumni and friends, here and across the country • Good publicity Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What steps have been taken so far? • Holy Name School • A State Accredited and State of the Art Educational Institution Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Can the school remain open and facilitate the educational program that exists today? • The question leads to sustainability • Can we sustain a 1.3+ million dollar budget and cover the deficit for next year? • A better question… • What can we sustain for the next year? Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What is the difference: Parish and School • The parish subsidizes 50% of the cost per student • The parish is at its limit in financially supporting these costs • All fundraising, development work and endowed gifts make up the balance of the parish 50% when it falls short Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Parish Information: • Currently about 500 families registered as parishioners • Many families: • Live outside parish boundaries • Very faithful monetary giving • Rarely attend Mass at Holy Name • Want old “home” parish here to bury their parents, themselves, etc. Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer Parish Information: Tithing History 2007: Contributors 273 Average per contributor $928 Maximum giving $7,000 Median giving $520 2008: Contributors 233 Average per contributor $1,130 Maximum giving $11,945 Median giving $751 2009: Contributors 251 Average per contributor $1,003 Maximum giving $14,145 Median giving $625 Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • Parish Information • For different reasons, many families: • Do not tithe regularly • Do not attend Mass at Holy Name • May be registering to receive IN parish tuition rate Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • The top priority for the Parish, as discussed within the Parish Council: • Can the Parish maintain the financial responsibility of the School, as it currently exists? • The School is the greatest area of service work for the Parish Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What are options for schools for our children? • No decision has been made • If changes must happen our families and children will be supported Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Questions We Can Answer • What, specifically, can we do to keep the school open? • First, decide what “keeping it open” looks like… • Second, pray and bring ideas for sources of funding to administrative staff • Third, support the fund raising efforts in place for this spring Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Other Questions • Is there a deadline that we must meet? • Yes, Faculty Letters of Intent March 15th • What happens if we raise some of the $309,000, but not all of it? • It would go toward the deficit for this year and lessen the burden of debt • It would not solve the problems for next year. Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

What we are today? • Overview of the current school program • 3 and 4 year old preschool program • Full day Kindergarten • 1st through 8th grades • Day Care • Before and After School program Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

What can we look like tomorrow? • What are your thoughts about the School? • Please put your ideas on the note cards • Use the handout to help you with your ideas Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

Thank You “Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruin, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses.” Isaiah 58:12 Bigger than its Boundaries…February 14, 2010

“Bigger Than Its Boundaries”