LUTHERANS CONSIDER NEW HIGH SCHOOL

Area Lutherans are investigating the possibility of a Lutheran High School for the region.

About 80 people representing Lutheran churches from Perryville to Sikeston attended an initial meeting Tuesday to determine if interest exists.

"There was a high energy level, a lot of excitement and a lot of enthusiasm exhibited by the people for this project," said the Rev. David Dissen, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The meeting was held at Trinity Lutheran Church. Missouri Synod Lutheran congregations from Uniontown, Jackson, Frohna, Tilsit, Farrar, Gordonville, Egypt Mills, Perryville and Sikeston attended. Those at the meeting said children from other denominations may be interested in attending the high school.

Over the years, the need for a local Lutheran High School has occasionally been discussed.

Lutheran grade schools operate in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville and Altenburg. The closest Lutheran high school is in St. Louis.

"With all the violence and other things happening in public schools, many parents feel a Christian high school may be a better alternative," Dissen said.

Two new Christian high school buildings are scheduled to open this fall, Eagle Ridge Christian School and Notre Dame Catholic High School.

The meeting Tuesday was motivated in part by the fact that the old Notre Dame High School building is up for sale or lease.

Catholic school officials have said they hope to sell or lease the building this year.

The group Tuesday decided that leasing or buying any building would be premature.

Instead, a letter will be sent to area congregations asking for one person from each church to serve on a steering committee. "That committee would do the legwork that would be necessary to make future plans," Dissen said.

Among the questions to be answered:

Are there enough children to justify a high school?

Would parents be willing to send their children?

Would parents pay tuition?

How much tuition would parents be willing to pay?

"We really did have a lot of interest shown," Dissen said. "Now we'll see if people are really that interested. It would take a high level of commitment and sacrifice on the part of participating churches."