“We simply did not raise enough money in time and we take full responsibility as a board,” said Doug Villhard, president of the FMCHS board. “As such we were rushing too many decisions and have decided it is in the best interest of all of our stakeholders to delay opening the school until such time as we are in a financial position to weather the operational challenges in the early years of the school when enrollment is at its lowest.”

One week earlier FMCHS had announced it was working to secure both operational funding and acceptance from St. John Neumann grade school to temporarily house the school, and Villhard said, those plans will continue.

“We are heads down working harder than ever to open this school,” Villhard said. “This plan to ‘walk before we run’ has been very well received by potential donors and we’re certain with more time we will succeed.”

The FMCHS board plans to continue to plot a course for the future, and Villhard said while the board is proud of what has been achieved there is clearly still much more to be done in terms of fundraising.

“We’ve selected a site, drawn up the plans, achieved proper city zoning, bid the project, established a school identity, developed the curriculum, created an exceptional faith formation program, and significantly increased awareness of Catholic high school in the southern part of Madison County,” Villhard said. “We are very proud of what our committee members, donors, and supporters have achieved these past years.”

While the FMCHS board felt this decision was the right course of action at this time there is obviously a great deal of sadness and disappointment, Villhard said.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of today’s eighth-graders who were counting on FMCHS to open next year,” Villhard said. “We hope and pray that despite the distance they are able to take advantage of the other excellent Catholic high schools just outside our region. And, that younger students and their families will plan to attend FMCHS in the spirit and faith it is envisioned.”