DECATUR — St. Teresa High School is launching a $4.8 million capital campaign to enhance and expand its campus. "Believe-Build-Become" is the theme of this campaign, only the third in the 81-year-old private Catholic school's history.
"The campaign is absolutely necessary to address long-standing needs," Ken Hendriksen, principal and CEO of St. Teresa, said at the campaign's formal announcement Oct. 7. "This effort will not impact upon funds used for school operations. St. Teresa functions within the constraints of a balanced budget — $24 million for the 2011-2012 fiscal year."
Earlier this year, a "quiet campaign" was held as a start to reaching the $4.8 million goal, Hendriksen said. "With the strong support of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the St. Teresa Education Foundation, School Board and Booster Club, the Millikin Trust, the Knights of Columbus and generous major and leadership donors, the success of the quiet campaign allowed the school to begin and complete phase one of the work this past summer."
Phase one consisted of: installing a new roof on the main building, replacing the one originally laid in 1930; tuck-pointing the main building and gym, built in 1955; preparing for expanded and upgraded electrical access to the main building and gym; installing new poles and lights on the football and softball fields; and installing new lights in the gym and parking lot.
"The work, estimated to cost over $1.2 million and was completed at a cost of $971,370, a significant $312,925 savings," Hendriksen said.
Aimee Fyke and Tracey Jerger are co-chairs of the campaign.
The public portion of the campaign will focus on raising funds to construct a physical education annex north of the gym; expansion of upgraded electrical access throughout the campus; installation of a new HVAC system throughout the campus; renovation and construction of restrooms inside and outside the gym; and construction of a new parking lot near the science/music building on campus.
The work is estimated to cost $3.8 million.
"It will rectify long-time needs and enable St. Teresa to build a state-of-the-art athletic department for current and future students," said Jerger.