Many people in the Driscoll Catholic community have shown incredible passion and perseverance throughout the entire fight to keep our school open. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming and inspiring. For that, we humbly thank you.
As a result of that passion, several of you have communicated directly with the Christian Brothers and the Diocese to ask burning questions we all want to know. Recently, there has been a document circulating from the Diocesan offices explaining their rationale for closing the school. This document, entitled “Driscoll Catholic High School Questions and Answers (May, 2009),” was received by many members of our community as well as members of the 43 Years committee and the Board of Directors of the school. It was sent to all who e-mailed the Christian Brothers and/or the Bishop, as well as many others within the Catholic education community.
Sadly, this document does not portray the actual facts regarding the closing of the school or the support offered by the Diocese throughout the last several months and years of Driscoll’s history. We have carefully reviewed this document and we are now in the process of formulating a proper response that addresses many of the inaccuracies, partial truths and misleading statements contained within. We will post a collaborative response (between the 43 Years committee and the Board) as well as the supporting communication that supports our assertions on this web site as soon as it is complete.
Please take a moment to recognize the loss of DC Alum, Jay Miller, Class of 1987, who passed away recently. The Driscoll family sends its condolensces to the entire Miller family.
Driscoll - The Next 43 Years Plan
(Click here for the powerpoint slides)
(Click here to see the slides in .pdf)
THESE SLIDES WERE PRESENTED TO DRISCOLL PARENTS, STUDENTS, STAFF AND ALUMNI ON SUNDAY EVENING, APRIL 19TH. THESE SLIDES ARE THE HIGH-LEVEL SUMMARY OF THE FULL-LENGTH PRESENTATION THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST.
(PLEASE CLICK MOUSE TO ADVANCE THE SLIDE )
Click here to see the Resolution Letter from the DuPage County Board ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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April 28, 2009
~Winston Churchill
April 24, 2009
Today, we wait. We are all in this together and we must be patient. We must allow the Christian Brothers ample time to properly review, internalize and question our plans. Once we have any firm decision or update to share, we will post it on this website. Please check back frequently. We continue to ask for your support and prayers.
Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony of Padua, you endured much discouragement in your life before finding your calling. Help us, the Driscoll Catholic High School community, to find patience in our own lives, and to trust God to lead us where we need to go. You preached by example; help us show others through example, the truth of our faith. -Amen.
April 23, 2009
PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE
O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus -- People honor and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Please help to bring me visible and speedy assistance. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly for the salvation of Driscoll Catholic High School and that I may praise God with you always. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen.
April 22, 2009
Message from Mr. Faut
Dear DC Community:
Thank you, very much, for your support and prayers. Our team presented the strategic plan to the Christian Brothers this afternoon for over three hours. Everyone involved did a fantastic job. There was meaningful dialog throughout, and a a series of great questions from those in attendance. We left the meeting feeling good about what we have accomplished and that we delivered on our commitment to developing a viable solution for the future of Driscoll Catholic.
We were told, as expected, that the decision will be made in the next seven days. We are hopefully optimistic, which means we did our jobs and provided detailed analysis and strategic solutions to the problems that DC has faced for many years. The team will be working on continuing our dialog with the Christian Brothers to ensure that we have answered all of their questions, and provide any additional clarifications that will aid in their decision making process.
As a community, we need to continue to work to raise additional funds to support the school going forward. We cannot stop the train now. We have accomplished so much, in such a short time, and we need to take advantage of what we have built thus far to continue to grow.
The members of the presentation team all deserve our thanks. They were game changers today, they came with all they had. Chris Abbinante, Kevin Deuschle, Rod Molek, Art Stuart, and Scott Warren did outstanding work. The balance of the committee that helped develop the program spent last night helping to refine and tighten up our presentation which made us that much more refined and on target.
I am so fortunate to have been able to meet, and work with, such a dedicated group of parents, students, faculty, alumni, and business leaders. We will continue to carry your message to those that hold our future in their hands. We will not rest until we have exhausted any and all options for our future.
Everyone is asking, "How does the team that presented feels about our chances?", and, to a person, we feel good.
Thank you, once again, to everyone in the Driscoll community, for all your support.
Gene Faut, Chair
Driscoll - The Next 43 Years committee
April 20, 2009 The events of Sunday, the Family Mass and evening presentations were truly inspiring. The mass brought together parents, students, staff, alumni and friends of the school. Thank you to Father Mac for his service and prayers. Also, thanks to the Parent Club for providing refreshments afterwards and to Ms. Parker for organizing the mass. Last, but not least, thank you to Driscoll-The Next 43 Years committee members who stayed after mass to talk to concerned attendees regarding the campaign. The mass was inspirational The committee has heard nothing but positive comments from everyone who attended Sunday evening’s presentations. Comments such as, “Thank you to the committee members,” “What has been done is truly amazing,” and, “Nothing short of miraculous,” and a host of other encouraging comments were made. Additionally, there were many who took the time to speak to committee members after the presentations and still more who sent e-mail comments and suggestions to the suggestion e-mail box at mydriscollsuggestion@gmail.com. Thank you to all who took time from their busy schedules to attend these presentations. We sincerely do appreciate everyone’s input. We are hopeful that everyone heard the message clearly – We are committed to this endeavor! While this has been an inspirational journey for the entire Driscoll family, the committee wants to share with everyone that this has truly been an amazing, interactive and moving experience for us as well. We can now all “feel” the power of this family and all the support it can offer to each of us. The collective accomplishments of these past weeks have been tiresome but truly rewarding for us all. We wish to thank ALL OF YOU, the ENTIRE Driscoll family, for your kind words and ever-present encouragement. We can do this, together! As we go forth tomorrow to present our compelling case to the Brothers, we ask for your prayers. We have worked hard, analyzed the business that is Driscoll from every angle, compiled the best of the best ideas and institutional practices, and prepared a winning presentation. WE ARE READY! WE ARE – DRISCOLL!
April 18, 2009
Frank Lloyd Wright once said, "I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."
If there is any truth in this world, then the Driscoll - The Next Years initiative knows that what Mr. Wright said is true. Consider...................
In less than two weeks, more than 600 individuals from more than 15 states made donations to help fund Driscoll's future, totaling more than $841,000. More than a dozen individual fundraising events were organized, planned, and carried out which resulted in more than $145,000 of that total.
A group of 12 individuals who each have jobs, families, careers and responsibilities came together every night to build a sustainable plan for Driscoll's future, They were assisted by countless others who offered the value of their own experience and expertise as topics researched and discussed related to their fields of endeavor.
Perfect strangers who have heard about Driscoll's situation volunteered their creativity and energy to help.
Today, we sit at a crossroads. Much has been done. Much will be done in the next few days and beyond. But we have made incredible progress and we are ready to present the results of our efforts to the Christian Brothers. It has been difficult, but it has also been awe-inspiring and a Driscoll family-building experience that will stay with us forever.
Please join us on Sunday (tomorrow) afternoon/evening for one of the three meetings planned to preview what we have been able to accomplish in just this short time and to experience the vision we see for Driscoll's future. Also tomorrow, pray with us at 11a.m. for the success of our meetings. Details of these events are on the home page of www.savedriscoll.org.
And above all, remember... WE ARE --- Driscoll.
**Save the date: Sunday, April 19, 2009**
Students, Parents (current & future), Teachers, and Alumni are all invited to attend an information session hosted by The Next 43 Years Team. Sessions will be held at 4:30p, 6:00p, and 7:30p. Please contact Peg Senese at psenese@hrhorsepower.com to RSVP today!
(click here for additional details)
SUNDAY FAMILY MASS
The mass will take place Sunday @ 11:00 AM, in the Driscoll gymnasium. Immediately following the mass, refreshments will be served and there will be a Q & A table set up for attendees to converse with selected committee members.
Message from Gene Faut, and the committee: I would like to thank everyone for their outstanding efforts and the enthusiasm that has been expressed in support of our cause. I would like to remind the entire group that the message that we convey to the community, the media, local schools, and all other constituents needs to be one of cooperation and hope. We are looking to the future of Driscoll Catholic, and all communication needs to support this view. Thank you for your support, and let’s continue to promote the positive aspects of our school and what we can do going forward.
April 16, 2009
“It's not whether you get knocked down. It's whether you get up again.” Vince Lombardi
We’re tired. We’re operating on caffeine and take out food.
But we’re fighting. And we’re winning.
We have much to celebrate. And we have much still to do.
Let’s start by celebrating. We have now raised $750,000 in actual donations.
There are two major fundraising events tomorrow night. Watch pro wrestling in Driscoll’s gym. Doors open at 7 p.m. Or if wrestling isn’t quite your speed, join the crowd at Heat in Schaumburg for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, an incredible auction, and the chance to celebrate how far we’ve come in such a short period of time.
But we can’t let up. We have to keep working – exploring every option – making that one more call – doing whatever we can to make sure that we have not left any stone unturned or any possibility explored.
Why? Because WE ARE – DRISCOLL.
Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.
- Ann Landers
These words ring true in our hearts. Yes, we have trouble… and WE ARE holding our head high. WE ARE looking it squarely in the eye and WE ARE committed to the continuance of Driscoll Catholic. WE ARE the heart and soul of Driscoll.
WE ARE grounded in faith!
WE raised another $28,000 today, bringing our total up to $684,000. WE continue to seek your support.
WE secured commitments from another 10 students who want to attend Driscoll Catholic next year.
WE saw hundreds of people become part of the Driscoll family at either Village Inn or O’Donnell’s this evening. A great time was had by all.
WGN radio focused its attention on the Driscoll family in a feature interview with our girl’s basketball head coach and former Driscoll parent, Steve McCuiston.
WE learned that a number of local mayors and village presidents have written letters supporting the Driscoll-The Next 43 Years initiative. WE ARE soliciting additional letters from elected officials.
WE work hard. WE play hard. WE believe in each other. WE believe in Driscoll and what the promise of the future holds for us. WE ARE secure in the fact that there is nothing bigger… or stronger… or more committed.
WE ARE… DRISCOLL!
April 14, 2009
Why Not
George Bernard Shaw said it first,
“Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream things that never were, and ask why not.”
For the Driscoll-The Next 43 Years initiative, Shaw’s words were prophetic.
They said Driscoll can’t raise money, yet in 10 days, we’ve raised over $627,000.
They said Driscoll alumni had their own lives to lead, yet dozens of Driscoll alums have been here every night, calling, writing, planning.
They said that no one at Driscoll could put together a fundraiser that would generate any money, yet the three events to date have raised nearly $100,000.
They said Driscoll families wouldn’t respond to a web-based fundraising campaign, yet www.savedriscoll.org has raised almost $11,000 as of this evening.
They said the media wouldn’t be interested in Driscoll’s future, yet virtually every network and every local newspaper have talked about Driscoll’s successes, plans, and activities. Our media coverage has been outstanding.
They said people wouldn’t rally; that our school has no “visibility”, yet more than 155,000 people per day are viewing Driscoll’s rolling billboard at I-355 and
George Bernard Shaw was right. We can dream Driscoll’s future. And there is no reason why not.
Members of the Driscoll-The Next 43 Years committee are working every day and every evening to coordinate events, formulate marketing and viability plans, develop our presentation, coordinate all communications and outreach, secure our parent and student commitments for enrollment next year, and work on a variety of other tasks and issues. This committee is very dedicated and committed to this endeavor. We should all be proud of the job they are doing and be thankful they have the resolve to see this task through to fruition. (Click the pictures for a slideshow.)
Progress Continues – Watch Us Grow
How do you measure success?
For the Driscoll – The Next 43 Years initiative, there are lots of indicators.
First of all, financially we are over $600,000 in actual donations to date! An incredible achievement given the time frame we have been working within. However, we still need a substantial sum of money to make our goal. Please do everything possible to help us and get the word out.
Tonight, there was an event at Tree Guys Pizza in
Next, another new student has indicated his intent to attend Driscoll next year. In addition, that student’s family contributed funds to the escrow account in support of that commitment.
Public support continues to grow. Go to www.savedriscoll.org to view some of the latest stories, including news stories on ABC, WGN, and WBBM. We sincerely appreciate the coverage and support from the media.
Alumni continue to step up to the plate – phoning their classmates, making donations, and offering the benefit of their professional experience to the initiative’s efforts. The Driscoll message was carried to dozens of parishes this weekend by Driscoll students, parents, alumni and others.
We are diligently working on the second half of the challenge offered by the Brothers. The plan is being fabricated and all scenarios and forward-looking challenges are being reviewed. Additional sources of support have been identified – some that can provide immediate financial assistance and others that will enable Driscoll to sustain itself in the future. The Driscoll-The Next 43 Years committee is developing a realistic budget for next year and for each of the following five years using realistic projections and standard accounting practices currently employed in business. A detailed marketing plan has been developed that builds on Driscoll’s strengths and creates strategies to counteract Driscoll’s challenges and a strategic plan for institutional advancement has been developed to identify other traditional and non-traditional strategies to integrate all of the component pieces that will enable Driscoll to continue to fulfill its mission for another 43 years.
Thank you for all of your support. We continue to ask for your help AND your prayers.
Please check back daily for additional updates.
Driscoll Alumni Coordination Team DIGS IN!
Members of the Driscoll Alumni Coordination team are working diligently to solicit support for our school from alum all over the country. More than 30 volunteers have been active at the school making thousands of phone calls to ask for financial and other types of support. The Alumni Association is very active in keeping Driscoll alum connected to each other and ensuring their connection to the school is not lost.
Kevin Hanrahan (’87) is the President of the Association. He can be reached at 847.682.2746. If you feel you can help with our fundraising efforts, or wish to participate in our association, please contact Kevin direct. (Click the pictures for an interactive slideshow.)
April 11, 2009 Abraham Lincoln said it. “It is altogether fitting that we should do this.” If “resurrection” means rebirth, it is fitting that we should all together be involved at this moment in the creation of Driscoll’s Next 43 Years. As of today, we have received $570,000 in donations toward our goal, $9,000 of which came in over night. Yesterday, a group of parents and alumni spent hours creating, reproducing, and folding thousands of flyers that they will be taking to local parishes to pass out during this weekend’s Masses wherever we have permission to do so. These will also be distributed to local businesses during the upcoming week. The planning committee is making huge strides toward the development of a comprehensive plan to assure Driscoll’s future stability. The plan has looked at the major components of Driscoll’s governance, determined its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and developed strategies and tactics to respond appropriately. Please check back frequently for details of meetings planned to present the plan’s component parts. Finally, there will be no update tomorrow. The Driscoll - The Next 43 Years committee plans to use the Easter celebration to help us refresh ourselves for the work of the next ten days. Keep us – and Driscoll - in your thoughts and prayers so that, together, we can bring this effort to a successful conclusion in our meetings with the Christian Brothers. Once again, thank you to everyone involved. The support we are receiving is overwhelming! We wish you, and your families, a Happy and Blessed Easter.
"It has been exactly one week since our meeting in the gym. In That time, we have raised $561K, and more importantly raised awareness as to the value of a Catholic Education. Many thanks to everyone."
- Gene Faut, Committee Chair
Today’s Update – April 10, 2009
Letter from Mr. Faut
Dear fellow Parents, Alumni and friends of Driscoll Catholic:
Since we received the stunning news from the Christian Brothers on April 2nd about their decision to close Driscoll, there has been a frenzy of activity to keep our school open. This effort is almost unbelievable! In our first six days, we have raised over $500,000. I know in my heart that if it were not for the Driscoll family, past, present, and future, that the achievements we have made this past week would not have been possible. I want to acknowledge, and personally thank, everyone involved.
Support is rising from so many constituencies that it is difficult, if not impossible, to stay abreast of every effort, let alone manage it. I wish to reiterate my message that I presented to you at our Town Hall meeting this past Tuesday evening (April 7th). Every one of our efforts, large and small, must be in concert with not only the spirit of Driscoll Catholic and St. John Baptist de la Salle, but also with our sense of family and our values as Catholics in mind. It is imperative that we closely adhere to this message because our collective futures, as an institution, depend on it.
As a team, we are literally working day and night to orchestrate, execute and manage the outreach, fundraising and planning portion of our response. Volunteers are everywhere and it is exciting and refreshing. I have heard that some of those in attendance at Tuesday’s Town Hall meeting have dubbed those folks sitting behind me as the “Dream Team”. This is a huge compliment, I think.
Admittedly, I was remiss in not introducing each of the members of the Driscoll – The Next 43 Years committee to you. We have taken your suggestions with regard to “Who are they?” and posted some information about each of the members on our “official” campaign website… www.savedriscoll.org. This website is the communication vehicle for accurate and sanctioned information about our activities and progress.
Additionally, this committee is made up of parents, staff, alumni and friends of Driscoll. As a group, we have learned much in this last week about what has taken place prior to this decision by the Christian Brothers as well as the plans, actions and attempts by the existing administration, the Board, past parents and friends of the school, to keep Driscoll viable. While I have said to you that sweeping change is in order, and I continue to believe that, I want to acknowledge the work done, by all Driscoll constituencies, prior to the announcement last week by the Brothers.
We are building on what has been done, reviewing everything from a fresh perspective, and making the necessary adjustments and modifications to our future plans. We believe we will be successful, but as we have said, we have no guarantees. We only have the hope that we can hit the mark on this attempt and satisfy the Brothers’ arguments and concerns about our future. Let us all pray this is possible.
Thank you, again, for all you are doing. Please check our website for daily updates as to our progress.
Sincerely,
Gene Faut, Chair
Driscoll – The Next 43 Years committee
April 9, 2009
Driscoll –The Next 43 Years Campaign Hits New Heights
Those who may have felt that the Driscoll community could not rally to build a new Driscoll would have been very disappointed last night as more than 1500 friends of Driscoll gathered in the commons for an all you can eat pasta dinner that raised more than $85,000. Among the attendees were current family members, alumni, other friends of Driscoll and a number of local public officials. Channel 5 (NBC) filmed at the event and the 10 O’clock news featured one of the most positive stories on the Driscoll – The Next 43 Years campaign to date.
Additionally, and perhaps equally important, is the tally – in just five days, we’ve raised over $500,000 toward our $1 million goal. That’s an amazing amount – but we cannot rest. With many Driscoll supporters on vacation over the Easter school break, we have to remain vigilant and keep reaching out to achieve our goal within the next 9 days.
Keep up your support everyone!
HELLO TO ALL,
THIS WEEK IN THE DRISCOLL APPEAL...
*** TUESDAY, April 7 @ 7:30pm in DC Gym – TOWN HALL MEETING
• PACK THE PLACE – Open to all students, parents, alumni, family & friends of DC!
• ADDITIONAL THINGS WE HOPE YOU CAN BRING:
- A willingness to share your time and talents for our cause.
- A willingness to make a commitment to continued participation in Driscoll Catholic.
- Checks large or small made payable to “The Driscoll Fund”
- Items (e.g. gift cards, memorabilia, special event tickets, etc.) you would like to donate for auction at the following night’s Pasta Dinner Night.
Our goal for this meeting is to provide updates, gather checks, gather items for auction, get people working on other initiatives, get parents to sign letters of endorsement and to get parents & students alike to sign commitment statements indicating their intent to come back next year and beyond. It will be a busy evening. Anyone willing to support our cause is encouraged to attend. While we know this is a stressful and emotional time, as with all things we hope to showcase the best of Driscoll Catholic, so please continue to express your thoughts and feelings in as positive, productive and Christian a manner as possible. The Driscoll Family is amazing, and “together and in association,” we can do anything!
*** WEDNESDAY, April 8 4-8pm “Save Driscoll!” Pasta Dinner Night & Auction in the DC Commons
Come enjoy an evening of all you can eat for a $10/person fee with all proceeds going to “The Driscoll Fund.” Enjoy pasta, meatballs, salad and focaccia bread. Bring items to auction too!
*** Those who cannot attend either evening and are interested in supporting the Driscoll fundraising program are urged to send contributions to:
Piccione, Keeley & Associates, Attn: Lauren
County Farm Professional Park
122C South County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Please make donations payable to "The Driscoll Fund".
All contributions will be deposited into an escrow fund, so as to ensure that, should efforts be unsuccessful, all donations are returned. For further information, contact either Gene Faut at 630-675-8024 or 630-980-9772 or Dave Schwabe at either 630-543-6310 or 630-290-9759.
Have a blessed Easter and please keep Driscoll Catholic in your prayers!
Press Release: Driscoll - "The Next 43 Years"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2009…
ADDRESS CORRECTION & CHECK PAYABLE INFORMATION
DRISCOLL – THE NEXT 43 YEARS
After meeting on April 3, 2009 with representatives of both the Diocese of Joliet and the Christian Brothers, Driscoll Catholic High School, a Lasallian college prep high school operating in the traditions of St. John Baptist de LaSalle, today began the process of putting the school back on track.
With a commitment from its sponsors, a group of committed volunteers met to plan the steps to keep the school open, functioning, and positioned for future growth and financial stability.
“There is a lot of confusion out there as to the real situation” said Driscoll parent and committee chair Gene Faut. “But we are committed to Driscoll. We believe in its past; we understand its problems; and we are confident that we can put together a plan which will not only keep the doors open now, but position the school for future sustainability.”
Members of this group include current and past parents, alumni, teachers, coaches and friends of the school.
“To attain our goals, we must raise funds immediately. In reality, we need approximately $1 million in additional revenue. Within the first 24 hours, we have raised over $100,000.
We know the heart and passion of the Driscoll family. We believe that we can achieve our goal within the next two weeks.”
Those interested in supporting the Driscoll fundraising program are urged to send contributions to:
Piccione, Keeley & Associates, Attn: Lauren
County Farm Professional Park
122C South County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Attn: Lauren 630-653-8000
Please make checks payable to: “The Driscoll Fund”. All contributions will be deposited into an escrow fund, so as to ensure that, should efforts be unsuccessful, all donations are returned.
For further information, contact either Gene Faut at 630-675-8024 or 630-980-9772 or Dave Schwabe at either
630-543-6310 or 630-290-9759.
Letter from Mr. Faut
April 3, 2009
Bishop J. Peter Sartain
Diocese of Joliet
425 Summit Street
Joliet, IL 60453
Dear Bishop Sartain:
I am writing to you regarding the closing of Driscoll Catholic High School. We were shocked yesterday morning to hear from our son that the school was closing. The students were made aware in advance of the parents which was truly unfortunate. I have spent the past 24 hours trying to determine if there is anything that can be done to save the school for the students, their families, and the communities that Driscoll has served for the past 43 years.
There has been a great deal of misinformation that has been spreading throughout the network of families, and it has been difficult to determine what the real facts are. I discovered on an on-line news brief that the President of Driscoll had pegged the budget shortfall at $325K. I immediately sent him an email committing a donation in the amount of 10% of that total, and a commitment to raise the additional funds within two weeks. L did not hear back from him, so my wife sought him out in person at school today, and he pointed me in the direction of Brother Kevin 630-323-3725. We had a lengthy conversation regarding some of my ideas to keep the school open, which leads me to this letter.
The Notre Dame High School Phenomenon
It was only three years ago when the High School that my Father and Uncle attended, NDHS, was in a similar situation as to what Driscoll faces today. A group of concerned individuals came together to create a plan to rescue the school and set it up for the future. The success of the plan is evidenced by the increased enrollment, financial stability, and service to the community. I am a business owner, and do not have the background and experience to speak to the issues of canon Iaw, or the challenges that the NDHS phenomenon had to overcome, but I do know that a plan exists. The thought process was that this process could be pulled off the shelf and replicated with other schools facing similar challenges. I am only asking for a meeting with a group of concerned families and a representative to discuss the possible solutions that do not include closing an institution that has served the faithful for over 43 years.
In speaking with Brother Kevin l was enlightened by the facts and figures that he presented. In
December management was aware that there would be shortfall. The applicants taking the tests were down substantially, and that the future was known to the management of the school. My perspective is that poor management and a lack of effective marketing does not mean that the patient is terminal, but rather sweeping change is in order. If the NDHS program is out of the question, then an immediate influx of cash accompanied by a change in management, and increased community outreach plan, could be enacted to keep the school open easily for a period of 12 months. If the numbers do not improve, if new management is not successful, and the enhanced marketing does not take hold, we part company knowing that we gave it all that we had.
I am asking for a meeting. A discussion. I can bring with me a concrete plan for reorganization that would include a realistic approach to this crisis. The downside is that the Catholic community will lose a great many students. T here are alternatives, but none that matches the demographic makeup, and does not create what may be an insurmountable commute. I have offered up my financial assistance and my time to pursue any and all alternatives. As a business owner I know that numbers do not lie, but at the same time they do not tell the entire story either. A new campaign along with strong financial commitment that can drive results is what is in order.
I appreciate the time that Brother Kevin spent with me, and the attention that is being paid to this letter. I have offered up two possible solutions, and would request only a meeting to further discuss the possibility of keeping the rich tradition that is Driscoll Catholic High School open to future generations.
Respectfully,
Gene Faut
President
3D Exhibits
P 847.238.4701
M 630.675.8024
Letter from Provincial
Brothers of the Christian Schools
Christian Brothers of the Midwest
7650 S. County Line Road
Burr Ridge, IL 60527-4718
TEL 630-323-3725
Office of the Provincial FAX 630-323-3779
fcarr@cbmidwest.org
April 2, 2009
Dear Driscoll Catholic High School Parents:
It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Driscoll Catholic High School at the end of the present school year. We reached this decision with much difficulty knowing that transferring schools is not easy for either students or their families.
This decision was reached after a very thorough evaluation, analysis and discussion of the enrollment and financial projections of the future viability of the school. Additionally, the economic downturn exacerbates the situation further.
The Christian Brothers of the Midwest District have conferred with the Diocese of Joliet and both entities have come to the same conclusion. The Midwest District of the Christian Brothers is responsible for the administration of the school as part of the educational ministry of the Diocese.
Our attention now is directed to the faculty and students of Driscoll Catholic so that hopefully all will find new homes in other Catholic high schools of the Diocese of Joliet. We will do everything possible to facilitate this. Sister Helen Jean Kormelink, OSB, Superintendent of Schools will send a letter to all the high school administrators asking that you be given priority in selecting another school.
Be assured that we did not come to this decision lightly or quickly. We know that this is hard for all concerned. Your dedication to providing Catholic education for your sons and daughters makes the decision even more difficult. We hope and pray we have made the proper decision given the educational, enrollment and financial realities that have converged at this time. As we work through this period of transition, we need to celebrate all the wonderful things that have happened for students over Driscoll Catholic’s forty-three year history.
Representatives of the Christian Brothers and the Diocese of Joliet will be available at Driscoll Catholic on Friday, April 3, at 5:30 pm to give a short presentation and answer questions for parents.
Sincerely,
Brother Francis Carr, FSC
Provincial
