Ridge, MD – St. Michael’s Catholic School has asked for ‘consultation’ with the Archdiocese of Washington, DC due to a lag in proceeds from fundraising efforts that can’t meet their enrollment demands. Repeated cash flow problems at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Ridge prompted a parish meeting last month, Father Peter Giovanoni told TheBayNet.com during an interview Thursday evening, Dec. 1.
Father Peter Giovanoni pastors the church, and came to St. Michael’s Parish three years ago from Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Washington, DC.
The current enrollment of 203 is the highest ever, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
However, all families are not paying the same full tuition rate, which causes a problem for the school’s operating budget. St. Michael’s charges a prorated tuition based on income, and the difference is made up from tuition assistance provided from the archdiocese. The assistance received from the archdiocese does not occur until halfway through the school year, which does little good on the front-end.
Father Giovanoni, said, “Most of the fundraising money does not come in until after February every year, and it comes in slow.” When three-fourths of the operating cash is yielded in the second half of the school year, it makes it difficult to function that way year after year, the priest indicated.
St. Michael’s School is constantly fundraising while trying to play financial “catch up.” Five years ago, the school came up with a great fundraiser, Cash Bash. It yielded $200,000. Unfortunately, in the last year, it was held it only yielded $45,000. This year’s big fundraiser, Rhythm and Ritches concert raised about $35,000. Despite all the fundraising efforts, the school can’t continue to move forward without a strong financial foundation.
Father Giovanoni said, “Everyone equates the word consultation with a closure of the school, and that is not what happens all the time.” Father Giovanoni has only been at the parish for three years. He said understands the parish has been through this situation before, however, it is time for real long-range financial planning.
Father Giovanona said, “Consultation with the archdiocese occurred so everyone would be on the same page regarding slowly coming funds and letting them know we may need their assistance.” However, the focal point of calling for a consultation was to come up with more effective and efficient ways and means of supporting St. Michaels School and Church, he told TheBayNet.com.
As a result, a small group of people with expertise in financial and long-range planning has been put together, Father Giovanoni said. “A committee of people have been formed separate from fundraising efforts, to take a look at what we can do to keep from scrambling like this financial year after year.” It is clear that people want to see the school continue, however, it can’t continue in this manner.
Giovanoni said the committee met before Thanksgiving once, and it was to discuss the immediate challenge and how to get to the target.
The old way is not working that well in a new demanding economy, regardless of how dedicated people are to fundraising. Father Giovanoni said, “people are being consumed by this.”
To make matters worst, the deadlines have been pushed up and the numbers have been raised high. The archdiocese has informed the school that $200,000 is due Jan. 31 and still another $380,000 is due by June 2017 for the 2018 school year.
According to Giovanoni, as of Thursday, Dec. 1, they had $147,000 of the first $200,000 which is due on Jan. 31. That still leaves the $380,000 to be paid
The school has an approximately $1.2 million in operating costs, including electricity, heat, and staff salaries. Tuition covers approximately half of that bill.
The Archangel Scholarship Foundation Corporation was formed to help families with children attending St. Michael’s School meet their financial commitments through a scholarship program.
To raise the $380,000, the Archangel Scholarship Foundation has started a GoFundMe account. www.gofundme.com/SOS-SAVE-Our-School.