In a letter to the Cathedral community Aug. 18, the Cathedral High School board of directors addressed the future of the school community in light of the formation of the Catholic Community Schools system.
Among the highlights, the letter noted that the Campaign for Cathedral and the building project for a new high school facility will go forward with the support of the CHS board, the CCS board, the pastors and Bishop Donald Kettler.
Additionally, Cathedral, while under the umbrella of CCS, will maintain a separate board to oversee its property and assets.
“It has always been the plan for CCS to gradually assume oversight of the educational component of CHS — its school operations — building on strengths and encouraging retention from elementary grades through high school,” the letter stated.
The CCS and CHS boards, through specific agreements, “will be working together collaboratively towards the common goals that are articulated in the CCS Mission Statement: The mission of Catholic Community Schools is to strengthen the Catholic Church and society by educating her people at an unparalleled level of excellence while teaching, sharing, and living the Gospel message of Jesus Christ,” the letter stated.
Mike Mullin, who served as Cathedral’s president from 2009 to 2017, will remain part of the Cathedral community, serving as president emeritus. His role will be to “assist with the smooth transition of the educational components of CHS to the oversight of CCS over the coming months and to lead the Campaign for Cathedral and building project.”
The campaign is seeking to raise $16.5 million — $15 million for a new building with enhanced technology, multipurpose learning spaces, dedicated space for the performing arts and to clearly communicate the schools Catholic identity, and $1.5 million for Catholic Community Schools.
A smaller CHS board will be responsible for asset management — its property, equipment and some financial resources including the Campaign for Cathedral.
Current CHS board members include: Renee Anderson, Teresa LeClaire, Jeremy Mathiasen, John Munson and Father Tom Knoblach. More members are expected to be named soon.
“Together, we pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to carry forward the mission of Cathedral: ‘Inspired and informed by Catholic tradition our mission is to educate people while inspiring them to virtuous lives,’” the letter read.
“Fulfilling the complementary missions is the purpose of the alignment of these two corporations,” Father Knoblach said.
“We are truly blessed with so many dedicated and talented people — faculty and staff, students and families. We are grateful for the gifts and generosity of each person who has laid this strong foundation in Catholic education, and we look forward to building even stronger connections in time to come.”