LAMPLIGHTER
Winter 2016
Long Range Planning: Listening Sessions and Next Steps by Kristi Meyer Since its founding in 1882, St. John’s Lutheran School has been committed to a dual focus of nurture and outreach. Because our school building is approaching capacity, the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) has been meeting throughout the summer and fall to brainstorm solutions to this need for increased space. In mid-September, the LRPC held three congregational listening sessions. Chairman Jon Johnson began by reporting on the committee’s work and assumptions regarding school enrollment and facility needs. Jon then asked for congregational feedback on the information provided and other issues related to potential school expansion. Several broad themes emerged throughout these listening sessions. Questions were raised regarding the current enrollment of St. John’s School and the potential for capping enrollment if facility needs are not addressed in the near future. Congregation members inquired if options beyond expansion or new construction had been considered. In particular, the potential for a dual campus was explored. Participants also discussed auxiliary facilities associated with increased school enrollment. More classrooms and more students creates a need for more gym space, more parking, more restrooms, and more administrative and office space and staff. Finally, a number of participants wondered about the timing of and funding for school expansion. With our current debt just under $1M, what does this mean for a future capital campaign?
As it continues its work, the LRPC assumes the following: • Based on past growth and a continued commitment to our educational ministry, it is reasonable to believe that St. John’s can become a school of 400 in the near future. • To accomplish such growth, expansion of some sort is necessary. • The role of the LRPC is to determine the plans and feasibility by any and all means possible to accomplish this vision. • Once that vision is presented to the congregation, the congregation will determine (through the use of a financial consulting firm) if and how much it can and will support. Related to the third point above, the LRPC will next determine plans and feasibility to accomplish a school of 400 students. “If we’re truly thinking long-range, we should be thinking in terms of providing a school for 400 and everything that encompasses,” says Pastor Joel Leyrer. “Our infrastructure was built for a school of 250, and there are ancillary needs besides just classrooms that will need to be addressed.” Look for more information from the LRPC and the Board of Stewardship as plans and feasibility are fleshed out. “The congregation can expect to be engaged throughout this process,” says Pastor Leyrer. “We recognize that this is not a committee decision. It will be a congregational decision.” Please keep all those associated with our school in your prayers as we continue train our children in the way they should go.