The plans call for a 44,500 square foot addition to our high school which includes a gymnasium, commons area, expansion of the arts, 6 additional classrooms and secure entrance with administrative offices. This addition is critical for St. Anthony to offer 12 years of a vibrant Catholic education.

We will invest $5 million in our facilities and infrastructure funded by pledge commitments over a 5 year period. As a clear statement of support, the Diocese has agreed to provide $1 million in matching funds for this project. The Diocese has also provided a very favorable loan to meet our obligations during this five year period. To start the project, $3.25 million will be required.

This project will enhance programs at both the high school and grade school. We will be able to offer additional extracurricular activities such as ladies basketball, additional performing arts offerings, closed campus with full lunch offerings, enhanced computer courses, increased mass days, etc. Most importantly this addition will allow all of our students to experience a curriculum designed for the 21st century while providing more access and timing for extracurricular functions.

The purpose of this addition is to enhance the total educational experience of our students, not just the sports experience. To maintain and expand our educational choices we must add classrooms, increase our enrollment AND construct a gymnasium for sports and physical education requirements. Finally, this project will provide physical separation between our two schools.

Tuition will not be used to fund this project but will increase to reflect investments in educational expenses, teacher excellence, new curriculum and inflation. Today we invest almost $4200 per high school student and $2900 per grade school student. Tuition contributes 36% of this amount, fundraisers provide 10% and the parishioners of St. Anthony provides 54%.

Some preliminary site work will be completed in the summer of 2001 while school is not in session. From that point, it is estimated that the project will take one year . Assuming this schedule, we will be utilizing the addition in the fall of 2002.

No. Our long range plan for the parish identified the parish center and the high school addition as key components to our future. There are no other major projects being considered.

This project will have a very positive impact for our grade school students and teachers. Not only will additional space be available for classrooms but we will have fewer lunch periods, more flexibility in scheduling extracurricular activities and an expanded physical education program. Physical improvements for our grade school are considered in this plan.

In addition to providing an educational choice for students and parents, St. Anthony schools removes a $2.7 million annual burden by educating students in our private schools. St. Anthony is key to the continued vitality and growth of our community and is a positive attraction for those considering relocation to Effingham.

Last modified: June 13, 2001