The campaign to build a new campus for Wolf River Lutheran High School could depend on whether the 13 associate congregations share the contributions.
School officials and church representatives received an update Saturday on surveys taken over the last month to determine the feasibility of building a $1.3 million campus at the intersection of state Highways 22 and 29 in Shawano.
According to Jeffrey Davis, a managing partner with Cornerstone Stewardship Ministry in Lake Mills, the school could raise at least $800,000 within the next two to three years, but more education would be needed in order to achieve some or all of the remaining $500,000.
“There is support that exists. It’s probably not as widespread as you hoped it would be, but it does exist at various levels,” Davis said. “We’re suggesting the campaign continue.”
Davis recommended, however, proceeding with caution.
Principal Jay Lindsey said the future of the school could hinge on a new building.
“It’s no secret that there are a lot of people, including myself, who feel that building a new campus … would help our school to grow and to prosper,” Lindsey said.
Davis suggested that the school’s board of directors make a decision whether it wishes to continue as soon as possible. The board is planning to meet in May.
After that, if the plan moves ahead, he recommended the school and church volunteers initiate a silent campaign, trying to seek lead gifts for the project. One survey respondent indicated he was willing to give a $100,000 gift for the school, Davis said, but the person did not leave a name and contact information.
If the silent campaign shows promise, the school could initiate its public fundraising campaign as soon as December, and a final decision on the building could come in 2015.
Some of the strengths for Wolf River Lutheran, according to some of the more than 300 survey responses received, were the school’s positive influence on the community and the school’s biblical influence and concern for students’ spirituality.
Respondents also said the school, which opened in 2004, has an ideal student-to-teacher ratio, and the teachers provide excellent academic instruction.
Davis said the biggest obstacles for fundraising campaign would be that the school, which is based in Cecil, is not very well known and has low enrollment. That could make it difficult to get the 13 associate congregations to find enough financial support.
Davis recommended a Partnership in Ministry approach, where monetary gifts could be split evenly between the school and the congregation where the gift was given. With that approach, Davis estimated $1.8 million to $2.4 million could be raised.
“It’s a unique approach because the high school doesn’t gather all the funds, and it’s not just for the high school but split between the two,” Davis said. “The congregation can identify some projects they would like funded, and those dollars flow to the congregation as well as the high school.”
The bulk of the funding is estimated to come from four congregations. Three of them — St. James in Shawano, St. Paul in Bonduel and St. John in Suring — operate elementary schools. The fourth congregation would likely be St. Jakobi in the town of Richmond because of its close proximity to where the school would be built, according to Davis.
However, some people attending Saturday’s meeting suggested St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville also might be interested, as the proposed location would be more convenient for Clintonville parents.
The Rev. Ted Andrada, director of ministries for St. James Lutheran Church, said the campaign needs to be about more than money.
“It’s about building relationships. Building the building is very key to the future, absolutely, but it’s not a magic dart,” Andrada said. “There’s other work that has to be done, also.”
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