LUTHERANS FAVOR AREA HIGH SCHOOL, NEW SURVEY SHOWS

More than 80 percent of respondents to a recent survey support the creation of a Lutheran high school in Southeast Missouri.

Members from 14 regional Lutheran congregations completed the survey, circulated to judge the level of interest in developing and funding such a school. Of the respondents, 787 said a Lutheran high school is needed, while 168 said one is not.

"This is overwhelming to me," said the Rev. David V. Dissen, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. "I honestly did not think support would be this strong."

Survey results from six other Lutheran congregations have yet to be added to the total, but support among church members seems solid.

The results thus far were discussed Wednesday night at Trinity during a meeting of the steering committee looking to expand Lutheran education in the region. Representatives from 20 churches attended the meeting.

Curt Wills, a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville and chairman of the committee, said the survey results are encouraging.

"We wanted to figure out if we've got enough interest to carry on or if we should stop here," Wills said. "We've apparently got enough support to move forward."

Other survey results:

-- 70 percent of respondents would enroll their children in the school.

-- 72.4 percent would be willing to pay for a Lutheran education for their children.

-- 85.2 percent believe area Lutheran congregations should support a high school.

-- 75.9 percent would contribute financially to the school.

-- 66.5 percent would be willing to help in other ways.

After discussing the results, the committee voted to pursue the project.

Its first step was to commission a demographic study of the area within a 30-mile radius of Cape Girardeau to get a better idea of who the school is likely to serve. Results of the study are expected by the committee's Dec. 14 meeting.

The group also voted to ask all interested congregations to contribute $50 in seed money to cover expenses, including paying for the demographic study.

The most discussed site for the proposed school is the former Notre Dame High School at 1912 Ritter in Cape Girardeau. The school recently moved into a new building on Route K just outside Cape Girardeau.

The area Catholic diocese, owner of the old school, has made a negotiable offer to the Lutherans for the property, said Dissen. The committee did not yet wish to publicly discuss the diocese's offer.

Other potential though as of yet undetermined sites will also be considered. Tentative plans call for a site of no less than 20 acres that can handle a school building to house 300 students, sufficient parking areas and athletic fields, and accommodate future growth.

Though only 13 acres, the old Notre Dame site is not being ruled out, but its inability to handle growth is a concern of some committee members.