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March 24, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
Like everyone else, the parish and school is facing very difficult economic times – our income from plate collections and tuition are down significantly and are projected to decrease even further, while our expenses are increasing.
One of the ways that the parish has responded to these challenging times is by implementing a three week work furlough program for its employees – essentially forcing our employees to take unpaid work weeks off in order to cut labor expenses. Given our economic situation, our challenge as a parish is to find a way to either increase income by $30,000 a month, or to decrease expenses by $30,000 a month - or some combination of the two. While considering this challenge, I learned that the school would finish the year with yet another operating deficit – this time in the amount of $122,000. While, in the past, the parish has been able to subsidize the school’s shortfall (to the tune of over $450,000 in 8 years), the parish is not in a position to be able to assist the school in paying those bills this year, and the parish is going to have to turn to outside financing to fulfill its school-related financial obligations.
In light of that fact, and after consultation with Bishop Olmsted, with Mary Beth Mueller, superintendant of schools, and with the parish Finance Council, I have decided to close the school at the end of this school year. (May 22, 2009 )
The decision to close the school was very difficult, as that decision will have a huge impact on the parish community, on our families, and on the employees of the school. It will not be easy to see some of our families taking their children elsewhere for their education, or to see teachers with whom we have been working side by side told that they no longer have job. Trust me - this decision was not taken lightly and much prayer and thought went into our options. Unfortunately, we found ourselves at a place where we needed to take a hard look at the entire operations of St. Anne, and the closure of the school is one way that we can try to keep our costs down, to help ensure the continued success of the parish, now and in the future.
Everyone knows how much we have worked on reducing spending, on being frugal and on eliminating unnecessary expenses. We still face some difficult and unpredictable days ahead, considering the current economic climate. I would ask all of you to be supportive, and patient, and helpful, to the extent that you can.
People are important – all of you are important. We want to be open, kind and charitable in our actions. Yet in the end, some difficult and painful decisions needed to be made – decisions that affect all of us.
There is likely to be a period of sadness, and grief, and perhaps even anger and frustration. We will respond to those emotions in a positive and nurturing manner, keeping in mind our role as Church. For example, we will assist those families whose children are in Kindergarten, and who wish to continue Catholic education, in setting up appointments with the neighboring Catholic schools. I will be happy to make myself available to any parent who has questions or concerns regarding their child’s relocation, and MaryBeth Mueller has pledged to do the same.
It will be hard, but we will get through this, with the grace of God.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory Schlarb
Pastor
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