Latest news with #PacelliCatholicSchools
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacelli among those institutions keeping an eye on potential state level cuts
May 30—Around a week ago Pacelli Catholic Schools recognized another successful class during its 2025 Commencement, graduating all 11 of its students. It's a trend that has continued over the years as the school has boasted a 98.6% 10-year graduation rate and even though class sizes range on the low end of students per class, it's a mark Pacelli has nonetheless become proud of. However, recent maneuvering within the Minnesota State Legislature have raised anxieties regarding non-public schools funding Pacelli receives from the State of Minnesota. "This has been huge in the private school world," said Pacelli Advancement Director and social Studies teacher Nick McGrath. State law allows reimbursement to schools regardless of whether or not they go to a public or private school. That reimbursement funding goes towards things like busing, however, in his most recent budget proposal, Gov. Tim Walz pinned the cutting of $109 million in funding for non-public school aid as well as funding for busing non-public school students. It's something those in the private school sector, including Pacelli, have been watching closely as the school could miss out on close to $1,100 per student. "It's just a really touchy subject if we lost our funding," McGrath said. There are plenty of misconceptions that float around in the orbit of private schools including things like its education for the upper class or in Pacelli's case, you have to be Catholic to attend — neither of which are true in its case. "There's a common saying that if you've seen one private school, you've seen one private school," McGrath said, adding that Pacelli's enrollment mirrors its much bigger neighbor across the street, Austin High School, in terms of demographics. "You don't have to jump through hoops," he said. "Seventy-five percent of the student body receives aid of some kind. We mirror the demographics of the public system." A large chunk of Pacelli's overall each year comes from fundraising, including its biggest fundraiser, the Pacelli Auction, which this year aimed for raising between $225,000 and $250,000 and uses the money for things like scholarships. The school was actually saved through a fundraiser in 1992 when the financial strain of keeping the school open very nearly closed the school permanently. This year, the auction raised a total net profit of $217,531.67. While the legislature failed to get a budget passed during the regular session, it is now facing a special session to get it completed. However, the proposal has since been indefinitely postponed. Lobbying groups for private schools have opposed the bill, with the Minnesota Association of Independent schools citing that it's contradictory to state intentions. "This legislation directly contradicts long-standing Minnesota policy that ensures equitable access to educational benefits for all students, including those attending nonpublic schools," the MAIS said in a letter to the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee on March 30. However, educator unions have voiced support for the bill saying that money generated from the public should be used for public education. It's a source of frustration for private schools who say that education standards often cross over with those of public schools and in some cases, like Pacelli, the only difference tends to be that faith is a guiding principle. "We do not offer a cut-rate education," McGrath said. "You are not being served 80% coming Pacelli. What you are getting is a comprehensive education rooted in faith."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacelli among those institutions keeping an eye on potential state level cuts
May 30—Around a week ago Pacelli Catholic Schools recognized another successful class during its 2025 Commencement, graduating all 11 of its students. It's a trend that has continued over the years as the school has boasted a 98.6% 10-year graduation rate and even though class sizes range on the low end of students per class, it's a mark Pacelli has nonetheless become proud of. However, recent maneuvering within the Minnesota State Legislature have raised anxieties regarding non-public schools funding Pacelli receives from the State of Minnesota. "This has been huge in the private school world," said Pacelli Advancement Director and social Studies teacher Nick McGrath. State law allows reimbursement to schools regardless of whether or not they go to a public or private school. That reimbursement funding goes towards things like busing, however, in his most recent budget proposal, Gov. Tim Walz pinned the cutting of $109 million in funding for non-public school aid as well as funding for busing non-public school students. It's something those in the private school sector, including Pacelli, have been watching closely as the school could miss out on close to $1,100 per student. "It's just a really touchy subject if we lost our funding," McGrath said. There are plenty of misconceptions that float around in the orbit of private schools including things like its education for the upper class or in Pacelli's case, you have to be Catholic to attend — neither of which are true in its case. "There's a common saying that if you've seen one private school, you've seen one private school," McGrath said, adding that Pacelli's enrollment mirrors its much bigger neighbor across the street, Austin High School, in terms of demographics. "You don't have to jump through hoops," he said. "Seventy-five percent of the student body receives aid of some kind. We mirror the demographics of the public system." A large chunk of Pacelli's overall each year comes from fundraising, including its biggest fundraiser, the Pacelli Auction, which this year aimed for raising between $225,000 and $250,000 and uses the money for things like scholarships. The school was actually saved through a fundraiser in 1992 when the financial strain of keeping the school open very nearly closed the school permanently. This year, the auction raised a total net profit of $217,531.67. While the legislature failed to get a budget passed during the regular session, it is now facing a special session to get it completed. However, the proposal has since been indefinitely postponed. Lobbying groups for private schools have opposed the bill, with the Minnesota Association of Independent schools citing that it's contradictory to state intentions. "This legislation directly contradicts long-standing Minnesota policy that ensures equitable access to educational benefits for all students, including those attending nonpublic schools," the MAIS said in a letter to the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee on March 30. However, educator unions have voiced support for the bill saying that money generated from the public should be used for public education. It's a source of frustration for private schools who say that education standards often cross over with those of public schools and in some cases, like Pacelli, the only difference tends to be that faith is a guiding principle. "We do not offer a cut-rate education," McGrath said. "You are not being served 80% coming Pacelli. What you are getting is a comprehensive education rooted in faith."
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thankful for community: This year's Pay It Forward a step forward for Angelica Figueroa Gonzalez and her children
Mar. 21—The looks on the faces of siblings Ashley and Alex Lagunas Figueroa told the entire story when they walked into their home alongside their mom Angelica Figueroa Gonzalez Friday evening. Their home was even more of one and thanks to this year's Pay It Forward effort they both now had bedrooms of their own. "The kids had always wanted better things in their home and now that they have it. The feeling is unexplainable to see my kids happy and getting what they deserve," Gonzalez said. "How the community can come together and have it come out of their heart is that feeling of greatness of helping other people." In previous projects the bathroom has traditionally been the focal point of any Pay It Forward project, and while that was again the case this year, it was also the case that the rest of the house and yard also saw a vast amount of work including replacing doors, windows, flooring, kitchen appliances and so much more in the house. Outside the house, both the house and garage received new roofs and the yard and trees were groomed. Unlike many of the years past, this particular week didn't do a lot to contribute to a smooth work flow, however. The scope of the work done was greater than it has been in years past and the midweek blizzard did nothing to make things easier. The entire thing led to volunteers shoring up some of the final touches in a flurry of work Friday as the limo carrying Gonzalez and her children pulled up outside of the home. Still, it couldn't take away from the effort and the gratitude in the family's heart. "I don't have any words," Gonzalez said. "I'm just thankful for everybody in this community." The effect of the work was just as impactful for Mark Walski, who nominated the family for this year's project. What started with just an effort to get the family proper heating, grew to something more for Walski, who has known the family through Pacelli Catholic Schools. Walski said that initially those with connections through the school were coming together to do what they could for the family by offering to do various jobs here and there, but eventually the scope of the work became too much. It was then that Walski decided to nominate the family for this year's Pay It Forward project. "It was fun to be able to see the kids have this redone," Walski said. "That's kind of why we did it." As with previous years, this year's project left something for the volunteers as well. The happiness in the eyes of Alex and Ashley and how it affected Gonzalez was just as impactful. "Every year people have gotten emotional, but watching her, and knowing she works and what she can't provide in doing that and making that work for her kids — It's not a simple task," said Pay It Forward's Gina Grundmeier. "It's not something on a single person's income where you can do all of the things that need to be done. I thought that was important to do for her and the kids." There was also the added joy of seeing some of the past recipients on hand to help throughout the week. "That's been great and it's been super important because it's been such an insanely busted week," Grundmeier said. "These have been some insanely long, agonizing nights." Despite the week's hiccups, the challenges and strains, the reward of the Friday reveal was felt by everyone who helped in the effort. Gonzalez summed up that gratitude by saying Pay It Forward will help her family take the next steps into the future. "It's just the simple thing of being able to have people in my community close to me that can help me and know my past and my life and know this helps me move forward," she said. "I just want to thank everybody and I really appreciate everybody that is a part of this program."
