CONFIDENTIAL AN D EMBARGOED UNIll. Nov l l , 2009 - Ha m ANNOUNCEMENT by Bishop John M. D'Ar:cy PRESS CONFERENCE NOVEMBER ll , 2009 SAINT JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL Today, I wishto present the South Bend community, but more especially, to the fam.ily o f Sai nt Joseph's High School , my decision about the future o f this school. Why has this taken so long? This decision required many consultations. The building o f a new high school at w ha t is no w the location o f Saint Joseph Medical Center, so graciously offered to the Diocese by the hospital, is quite attractive in some ways and yet presents many concerns. Is it right to spend so much money on one institution? What are the ramifications o f a decision? The bishop must be a good steward and cannot allow the financing o f a totally new school building to be so excessive that it can only be accomplished by increasing tuition., so that a beautiful new sch.ool is built on the backs o f famHies. Indeed, J havetokeep in mind my successor, and must not place an undue burden on him. Th.e appointment o f a n.ew bishop cannot be too far away. I have made it clear that he will need to review this decision and, indeed, it will be hi.s obligation to do so. But I always believed that, in light o f my long tenure here, I had the obligation o f making a firm decision whi.le still bishop. 1
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
education in the South Bend area. Indeed, Marian is also considering a fund raising effort, though on a
m.uch smaller scale.
On August 13, we held a major meeting here with representati'ves of all these groups and others.
At this August 13th meeting, the proposal was made that the Saint Joseph Community be given permission
from the bishop to see if it was able to raise the fun.ds necessary to build a new school on the site of the
Saint Joseph Medical Center within a certain timeframe; and if this proved not to be possible, that there be a
fall-back position. which would be the restoration/renewal of the present building, also including some new
construction. After prayer and further consultation, I have accepted this proposal with certa.in restrictions topreserve the fiscal integrity of the Diocese and of Saint Joseph's High School. Here are some of those
conditions.
1. The cost ofnew constructionmust be raised -- $ 3 5 , 5 0 0 ~ 0 0 0 . The interest on any loans needed
during construction.must also be pledged. At the time construction begins, a reserve.of3% of
outstanding pledges must also be funded so total pledges realized cover the total cost of the project
2. Saint Joseph's High Schooi must be debt free to begin construction. Saint Joseph's'currently has a
debt to the Diocese ofFortWayne-South Bend, on which they are paying.
3. This new School must accommodate at least 850 students.
4. The construction must be of a quality that is acceptable to a Diocesan Review Committee.
5. Pledges must be paid over three years, while largcrpIedges ($200,000 or more) may be paid over
five years.
6. The selection of the professiona.l consulting fundraising firm will be TlJ.adc by the Diocese.
7. The cost of the professional consultants must be raised with the campaign.