SECOND SURVEY TO BE SENT ON LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL

Although an initial survey showed strong support for creation of a Lutheran high school in Southeast Missouri, a second, more detailed survey will be conducted including preliminary cost estimates.

During a meeting Wednesday night at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, the steering committee studying the proposed school appointed a sub-committee to estimate operational costs.

The estimate will include the cost of leasing and operating a facility, paying teachers and staff and the purchase of equipment and educational materials.

From the cost estimate, steering committee members will develop an estimated range for annual per student tuition.

The Rev. David Dissen, pastor Emeritus at Trinity, said solid financial data is needed to determine if the project is feasible.

"We do not want to do this on a shoestring," Dissen said. "We have to have the proper finances in place."

Using the cost and tuition estimates, the committee will develop a new survey and distribute it to area Lutheran congregations in March.

In a general survey on interest in a Lutheran high school conducted late last year, more than 80 percent of respondents said they support the notion, with 70 percent saying they would enroll their children.

However, several steering committee members expressed concern that interest might decline if tuition proved too costly.

Committee vice chairman Fred Younghouse of Trinity said the results of the second survey will be key in the decision on whether to further pursue the project.

The median annual tuition among the 68 existing Lutheran high schools in Missouri is $3,700, according to information discussed at the meeting. Tuition ranged from a low of $1,800 to a high of $6,400.

A three-tiered tuition system would be likely, with different rates for students from congregations directly involved with the school, those from other Lutheran congregations and non-Lutherans.

Dissen said interest from outside the denomination is significant.

"I know a lot of non-Lutherans are really interested and want to know when we are going to start," Dissen said.

The committee is still considering the former Notre Dame High School at 1912 Ritter in Cape Girardeau as the site for the proposed school.

The local Catholic diocese, which still owns the 13-acre site, doesn't wish to sell the building, but is willing to lease it.

The amount of monthly payments and the length of a lease agreement still need to be negotiated.

The diocese is giving the Lutheran group first crack at leasing the school and has not set a date by which it wants a decision.

Several committee members who recently toured the school were generally pleased with the facility.

"I was very impressed with it," said Bill Dillon, a committee member from Concordia Lutheran in Sikeston. "It looked like all its needs is pupils, staff and books and we'd be ready to go."