Lourdes High School - Building on Our Heritage
Contact our group at LHS.Heritage@hotmail.com. If you have any comments that you would like us to forward to the trustees before we present this petition, please send it to this email address as well. Revisit this site to see additional information from LHS Heritage as well as from petition signers.
The decision to move Lourdes High School from its traditional downtown location to an outlying area of Rochester has recently been made by the Board of Trustees of the Rochester Catholic School System. This decision has many far-reaching consequences for the future composition of the Lourdes student body, its values and its mission. There will be the loss of this historic site that has been home to Catholic education for over 100 years!
We ask that you support our statement to the Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees and also provide your relationship to LHS (alumnus, parent, student, faculty, friend, etc.) as well as further statements of support / rationale for maintaining the downtown location. Finally we ask you to respond to a question regarding financial support for a downtown location with needed renovation and moderately priced expansion.
A group of alumni will bring this petition and its supporting statements and photos to the Board of Trustees near the end of the year. The letter that will be addressed to the the Board can be viewed by the link: letter located below and to the right (highlighted in blue).
We have attached an editorial recently written by 1974 LHS graduates Rick Lee and Paul Theobald and published by The Rochester Post Bulletin for your review to help bring into focus the main issues involved with the move.
By Rick Lee and Paul Theobald
We are 1974 graduates of Lourdes High School. We received with sadness, shock and dismay the recent news that our alma mater plans to abandon its historic building and downtown location and move to a new remote site.
We have talked with many fellow LHS alumni over the past two weeks, yet none of us can make sense of this enormous decision. We are writing this letter to encourage the Rochester Catholic Schools to reconsider the move, and to consider anew the possibilities of the current site. Should Lourdes move, the financial and community costs will be tremendous, and neither the school nor the neighborhood will ever be the same.
Let us start with a global argument: On Sept. 2, Pope Benedict addressed hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth in Rome, urging them to save the planet while it still can be saved. Lourdes can best help fulfill the pope's mandate by remaining in place.
The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) held a conference in Minneapolis last April. One theme was that history and rootedness are key to the quality of schools, along with their relationship with their communities. CEFPI also notes that a regular school that lasts 100 years saves more energy than two 50-year high-energy performance schools.
Moving to the local level, it is often implied that Lourdes is landlocked by Mayo Clinic, and that Mayo needs Lourdes' land. Lourdes is not "landlocked" so much as it is surrounded by complementary activities and potential partners in education. Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo and Rochester's Catholic community have been close partners for more than 100 years. There are many possibilities for continuing and expanding this creative partnership.
For example, LHS classrooms are used about 180 days a year for about six hours. During weekends, evenings and summers classrooms could be made available for Mayo health education seminars, therapy programs, etc. In exchange, Lourdes students could make use of Mayo's brand new employee fitness center and other facilities, which are unlikely to be in full use mid-afternoon when athletic teams practice and classes meet.
The possibilities for shared parking are tremendous, as Mayo's parking demand peaks in summer, when Lourdes is not in session.
With the move, students will lose many nearby work-study and volunteer opportunities -- e.g., Mayo, Saint Marys, the Ronald MacDonald House, and the Dorothy Day House among others. The present site is also near the public library, Mayo Civic Center, countless part-time employment sites, and most importantly the new University of Minnesota campus.
Students now have a matchless opportunity to see, participate in and learn from the downtown around them. They will not have that on an isolated suburban campus. Yes, the neighborhood suffers from some poverty and social problems. But should a Catholic institution turn its back and walk away?
The Rochester Catholic Schools' Web site features a presentation with a "Space Program" identifying what the new school will contain. Significantly, much more space is given over to three gyms and an 800-seat theater than is devoted to all classrooms and academic space.
Outside, there will be separate fields for football and baseball. This is excessive. Certainly physical education and the performing arts are part of education, but they are not most of education.
Physically, LHS buildings appear to be essentially in good shape, and there has been much new investment in the past decade. John Marshall and Mayo High Schools' campuses are, on average, older. Are they being demolished? What of centuries-old St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome -- is it used up?
The $56 million estimate for the new site seems very high for simply replacing a small high school and adding capacity for only 50 more students (more than $1 million per new student space added)! But in reality, $56 million is probably an underestimate: Construction costs have been rising at over 10 percent per year recently due to the global construction boom and soaring prices for steel, concrete and oil. The real cost is likely to top $70 million.
Thus, from a strictly financial point of view, it is far better to rehabilitate and remodel the existing buildings and site.
We conclude with the words of another alumnus, Steve Gathje '73: "One of the many values that LHS teaches students is that big shiny new academic and athletic facilities have little or nothing to do with success. In the end it is the people (teachers, coaches, parents, students) who matter. That is where the investment dollars need to go."
Richard Lee is an urban planner and holds teaching and research appointments at the University of California-Berkeley, and San Jose State University. Paul Theobald is a scholar and expert on the history of education in the United States. He is the Woods Beals Professor of Urban and Rural Education at the State University of New York-Buffalo.
Contact our group at LHS.Heritage@hotmail.com. If you have any comments that you would like us to forward to the trustees before we present this petition, please send it to this email address as well. Revisit this site to see additional information from LHS Heritage as well as from petition signers.
The decision to move Lourdes High School from its traditional downtown location to an outlying area of Rochester has recently been made by the Board of Trustees of the Rochester Catholic School System. This decision has many far-reaching consequences for the future composition of the Lourdes student body, its values and its mission. There will be the loss of this historic site that has been home to Catholic education for over 100 years!
We ask that you support our statement to the Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees and also provide your relationship to LHS (alumnus, parent, student, faculty, friend, etc.) as well as further statements of support / rationale for maintaining the downtown location. Finally we ask you to respond to a question regarding financial support for a downtown location with needed renovation and moderately priced expansion.
A group of alumni will bring this petition and its supporting statements and photos to the Board of Trustees near the end of the year. The letter that will be addressed to the the Board can be viewed by the link: letter located below and to the right (highlighted in blue).
We have attached an editorial recently written by 1974 LHS graduates Rick Lee and Paul Theobald and published by The Rochester Post Bulletin for your review to help bring into focus the main issues involved with the move.
By Rick Lee and Paul Theobald
We are 1974 graduates of Lourdes High School. We received with sadness, shock and dismay the recent news that our alma mater plans to abandon its historic building and downtown location and move to a new remote site.
We have talked with many fellow LHS alumni over the past two weeks, yet none of us can make sense of this enormous decision. We are writing this letter to encourage the Rochester Catholic Schools to reconsider the move, and to consider anew the possibilities of the current site. Should Lourdes move, the financial and community costs will be tremendous, and neither the school nor the neighborhood will ever be the same.
Let us start with a global argument: On Sept. 2, Pope Benedict addressed hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth in Rome, urging them to save the planet while it still can be saved. Lourdes can best help fulfill the pope's mandate by remaining in place.
The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) held a conference in Minneapolis last April. One theme was that history and rootedness are key to the quality of schools, along with their relationship with their communities. CEFPI also notes that a regular school that lasts 100 years saves more energy than two 50-year high-energy performance schools.
Moving to the local level, it is often implied that Lourdes is landlocked by Mayo Clinic, and that Mayo needs Lourdes' land. Lourdes is not "landlocked" so much as it is surrounded by complementary activities and potential partners in education. Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo and Rochester's Catholic community have been close partners for more than 100 years. There are many possibilities for continuing and expanding this creative partnership.
For example, LHS classrooms are used about 180 days a year for about six hours. During weekends, evenings and summers classrooms could be made available for Mayo health education seminars, therapy programs, etc. In exchange, Lourdes students could make use of Mayo's brand new employee fitness center and other facilities, which are unlikely to be in full use mid-afternoon when athletic teams practice and classes meet.
The possibilities for shared parking are tremendous, as Mayo's parking demand peaks in summer, when Lourdes is not in session.
With the move, students will lose many nearby work-study and volunteer opportunities -- e.g., Mayo, Saint Marys, the Ronald MacDonald House, and the Dorothy Day House among others. The present site is also near the public library, Mayo Civic Center, countless part-time employment sites, and most importantly the new University of Minnesota campus.
Students now have a matchless opportunity to see, participate in and learn from the downtown around them. They will not have that on an isolated suburban campus. Yes, the neighborhood suffers from some poverty and social problems. But should a Catholic institution turn its back and walk away?
The Rochester Catholic Schools' Web site features a presentation with a "Space Program" identifying what the new school will contain. Significantly, much more space is given over to three gyms and an 800-seat theater than is devoted to all classrooms and academic space.
Outside, there will be separate fields for football and baseball. This is excessive. Certainly physical education and the performing arts are part of education, but they are not most of education.
Physically, LHS buildings appear to be essentially in good shape, and there has been much new investment in the past decade. John Marshall and Mayo High Schools' campuses are, on average, older. Are they being demolished? What of centuries-old St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome -- is it used up?
The $56 million estimate for the new site seems very high for simply replacing a small high school and adding capacity for only 50 more students (more than $1 million per new student space added)! But in reality, $56 million is probably an underestimate: Construction costs have been rising at over 10 percent per year recently due to the global construction boom and soaring prices for steel, concrete and oil. The real cost is likely to top $70 million.
Thus, from a strictly financial point of view, it is far better to rehabilitate and remodel the existing buildings and site.
We conclude with the words of another alumnus, Steve Gathje '73: "One of the many values that LHS teaches students is that big shiny new academic and athletic facilities have little or nothing to do with success. In the end it is the people (teachers, coaches, parents, students) who matter. That is where the investment dollars need to go."
Richard Lee is an urban planner and holds teaching and research appointments at the University of California-Berkeley, and San Jose State University. Paul Theobald is a scholar and expert on the history of education in the United States. He is the Woods Beals Professor of Urban and Rural Education at the State University of New York-Buffalo.
We the undersigned have been made aware of the decision to move Lourdes High School from its historic downtown location. We believe there is a high probability of irrevocable change to the character and ultimately the mission of LHS that will occur with this move. We also believe that it will lead to negative consequences for the downtown neighborhood where it currently resides.
We believe that there are many outstanding opportunities for partnership with downtown businesses and charitable organizations that have yet to be explored which would further enhance the LHS experience yet which will only be possible by maintaining the current location.
We request that the Trustees of the Rochester Catholic Schools open this issue to further discussion, eliciting the knowledge and expertise of alumni, teachers, parents and students of RCS who have strong concerns about the future of LHS and who have not had a chance to voice them.
Good memories of LHS, even though I was young when I left Rochester. I'd like to keep it where it is.
I strongly disagree with the decision to move the campus to the periphery. Such decentralization destroys much of the social nexus that supports an educational institution and its community. Rochester has already deteriorated terribly from decentralization. The relentless compulsion to find an apparently cheaper and bigger location will ultimately betray Lourdes' roots and its significance.
Yes
We have put 2 children through the Catholic School System in Rochester with our last child currently a Freshman at Lourdes. My husband and I are Cotter Alumni from Winona MN. Cotter renovated St. Teresa's College and it is a beautiful building and good school system. When they tried to expand and attract more students with the Math and Science School etc., it did not work. All three of our children walked to and from St. Francis and Lourdes. We are very involved with our Neighborhood Association trying to improve our downtown and neighborhoods. I think Lourdes should be a model of responsible remodeling and community support. It is embarrassing that they are turning their back on the downtown community. I had attended the informational meetings before the final decision was made and remember that one study said there IS enough space at the current site for an increased number of students but that fact has been ignored.
We have written a letter to the administration and expressed our decision NOT to support Lourdes in any way if the school is moved.
I am a 1973 graduate of Lourdes High School. I have one child that is currently attending Lourdes High School and another that will be entering next year. I do not believe it is too late to save Lourdes High School. I think we should contact all the alumni, friends, relatives, etc., and encourage them to become involved in saving Lourdes High School. One way to show your support is by signing the petition and encouraging others to sign the petition to save Lourdes High School. Here are a few reasons why I think it is possible to change the minds of those that made the decision to relocate Lourdes High School. · Lourdes is not "landlocked" it is surrounded by opportunity and potential partners in education, including Saint Marys Hospital, the Mayo campus, Mayo Medical School and the University of Minnesota. There are many possibilities for continuing and expanding creative partnerships and collaborative efforts between these educational institutions and Lourdes High School. Consider this excerpt taken from the Rochester Area Economic Development website: Rochester, Minnesota, is about to begin the design of the Minnesota BioBusiness Center. This facility will be located downtown in close proximity to Mayo Clinic and the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. The facility is being designed to provide more than 150,000 square feet of office/lab space for companies who could benefit by being near Rochester%u2019s bioscience assets. We are leaving no stone unturned as we create what we believe will be one of the leading BioBusiness Centers in America. The Lourdes High School present site is situated in close proximity to all of this projected economic and educational growth and it would be foolish not to tap into it. Developing these partnerships would make Lourdes High School one of the most sought after educational institutions around. · Lourdes could create an environmental studies program and then use the gift of land from the Remicks for the environmental studies program. There is a school up in the Twin Cities metro area that provides an environmental studies course and it is a unique and exclusive program. This would be a way to utilize the new land by using it to provide an off-main campus environment, it is forward looking (Green movement requires degreed programs that are just now emerging in colleges and universities), commands a higher tuition rate and has precedence within the high school educational system (i.e. they wouldn't be the first to roll this out so there is a template for success). Lourdes should have a similar health program initiative with the Mayo Clinic and the U of M (thus the need to stay in their metro setting). Having an undergrad degree from Lourdes should mean that an Ivy League school prefers you. · You want a school that appeals to all interests of young people who are academic, social and athletic by nature. Athletics is a great source of community; it helps to bring a community together. It appeals to people. There is a unique energy that comes from successful athletics. Lourdes could develop successful athletic programs both downtown and perhaps through the development of an athletic field on the gifted land site. · One of the most cherished possessions our Catholic community has is our history. The area around St John%u2019s Church & grade school and Lourdes High School is rich in Catholic history. We have a strong history of excellence in education and an undeniable connectedness to the history of downtown Rochester and to the Mayo family. It gives us a sense of place. It ties us to where we came from and where we are going. We should not sever our tangible ties to the past, by exiting downtown. · Renovation coupled with limited development of the gifted land would be the more palatable option for families and alumni associated with Lourdes High School. I suspect that feelings are running high in opposition to abandoning the present site and even with the services of a professional fundraiser; it might prove very difficult to say the least to raise in excess of $55 million for such a risky venture.
I would make a donation if the emphasis is geared toward renovation of the downtown facility.
I would like to see Lourdes stay in the Downtown area. Much tradition would be lost with a move. The letter from the Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees made no mention of prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit on their decisions.
I would support renovation, not building a new school.
I will support a renovation of the existing site. I will not support the move to a new site.
I am a 1983 graduate of LHS. It has been very sad to watch the high school I care so much for, slowly pull away from the traditions it was built upon. One of the best life lessons learned at LHS was the concept of doing more with less. Sure a new building and lots of land would be nice, but is it necessary. We always had less than our friends at Mayo and JM, but it didn't matter.
I would much prefer to support the renovation of the existing site.
After sending seven children through Lourdes, I am disappointed to learn that there is a plan to remove it from the downtown area. One of the lesser reasons we chose Lourdes was that it was in easy walking distance to our house at 719 7th Av SW. It seems to me that a more useful expenditure would be for upgrading the current site, enabling a large proportion of the students this same advantage. I am especially disappointed in what I understand to be a lack of communication PRIOR to the decision to move. My understanding is that those who agreed with the decision were the primary people consulted. I am grateful that this petition gives me the opportunity to express my disappointment with the move.
While I haven't been a large supporter since my youngest graduated in '92, I would consider supporting a renovation plan. The move would NOT be an incentive to me.
As a parent of seven Lourdes grads, I am dismayed that the "option for the poor", which our Catholic tradition stresses, seems to be completely ignored by the current plan to move Lourdes from the inner city. What wonderful opportunities exist at their current location, where not only the neighborhood but the students themselves can benefit mightily. They are Christians, are they not?!
After supporting Lourdes at it's current location by working so we could afford the tuition, you can COUNT ME OUT for any financial support if Lourdes is relocated.
I am a 1992 grad...the youngest of 7 alum of LHS. I would like to take a moment to thank the caring staff at Lourdes, both present and past. I believe I am a better person because of the educators that took such an interest in me over my four years there and taught me invaluable lessons. This was all done in a beautiful, old limestone building. It would not have mattered if we had new hallways and lockers, larger locker rooms or gyms, or even a football field to call our own. LHS has remodeled, added on, remodeled more and the saga continues. This is what gives this school character. Lourdes has character, pride and passion. It bothers me that RCS board members have not turned to the thousands of alumni that would surely be concerned about this declaration to build a new school. It is sad that I heard about this through friends and family...not from RCS directly. Once again, I am disappointed by RCS senior staff thinking they know what is best for the school and it's students. Building a new LHS would devastate the diocese financially...unless RCS has already received a "promise" from the few rich donators that have "assisted" in helping the board make decisions to "better" LHS in the past. Something tells me they are a little short. LHS is a prep school, but we do not compete with another prep school. Why a $55 million price tag? Spending that much is not going to attract a lot of new families and students. Enrollment has not fluctuated much since I was there or since my oldest sister ('79) was there. We don't need to accommodate a growing student body. Why a $55 million price tag? Please do as you as you have done in the past...expand and remodel. The location is almost as invaluable as the educators that have come and gone. And to whomever said "it is going to cost $55 million to renovate the downtown location anyway," you better visit one of our local churches...they have Reconciliation regularly.
Unfortunately, I would not financially support the building of a new school, but would support, as I can, the renovation of LHS's current location or expansion.
As the father of four Lourdes Alumni, I reject the idea of moving the Lourdes campus from it's current location. Bricks and mortar do not provide an education, dedicated teaching staff and parents, as well as motivated students do. This is the history of this particular school. This is not a private school system...it is a parochial school system and the obligation of those who control the system is to maintain a quality education for all those wishing to attend, whether they are well off or not . Sadly school fees are becoming exorbitant and the result is a more elitest environment that is fundamentally wrong and not good for the ethics of a Catholic school. The obvious way to oppose the school relocation is to withold contributions when the fund drive starts, only agreeing to give when the Rochester Catholic School System comes to it's senses and stays in it's current location. The decision of the Catholic School Board stands the chance of bankrupting the system and we as constituents should not be a party to supporting this move. We will be asked to pick up the pieces if this misguided venture takes place.
I recently visited Rochester after a 20 year absence. I was encouraged by the changes in this wonderful town. I believe that Lourdes has the rare opportunity to become a diverse community that is capable of educating all that are willing to come to the classroom. We must be very careful not to take the road of becoming a prep school that serves only the elite. I believe that Christian doctrine, as well as, the changing global economy dictate that we should teach our children the importance of diversity. 1980 Alumni People differ in capacity, skill, health, strength; and unequal fortune is a necessary result of unequal condition. Such inequality is far from being disadvantageous either to individuals or to the community." Pope Leo XIII
More likely to support downtown renovation.
A suburban school would erase 80 years of heritage downtown. The school is quite classy as it is. Furthermore, the downtown location is in the middle of Rochester; students attend from all over the city and this is a most convenient spot.
I would more likely provide financial support to a downtown renovation.
Lourdes is a place rich with history and acedemic success. So many great students have came out of that building. With it's central location in the heart of Rochester, it would be a shame to see such a beautiful school (it's featured on Charles Huebner's "Doors of Rochester")moved.
1978 Alumni
As a parent of two former and two potential students. There is trmendous value in a centrally located school. It leaves a feeling of community property. The school belongs to all of us. Practically speaking, I don't want to be driving my children to someplace way across town. Additionally, I don't believe the cost of each option to be the same. As a former cost analyst with experience in buiding projects, it has always cost more to build from the ground up than it does to start with an existing structure.
I'm NOT willing to financially support a new school at all. However, I will support renovation in the downtown area. I've made that clear on several surveys, so don't even ask me to contibute if you really decide to build on a new site.
Class of 1997. I am shocked at the decision to construct a new building. As a college prep school, Lourdes has an obligation to do just that; prepare students for college and life beyond. The downtown location aids in providing students with a better understanding of the society in which we live. By moving to a more remote location, Lourdes is only sheltering its students even more. Judging from the anti grinding letters and other warning notes which are being sent to parents these days, I assume the administration wishes for a reduction in public interaction. This will only leave students ill-prepared for life after high school. In terms of athletics, many people feel Lourdes is already too focused on sports. The school is becoming widely known for its sports, not its academics. And in college, academic ability is what matters. I don't believe adding sports amenities will drive greater values or increase a Lourdes student's sense of school pride. In fact, I feel such pride comes from walking the halls of the current building. Students are reminded of what they are a part of; a small and extraordinary community. But it is also important to remind the students that when they step outside, they are just one of many in a larger and more diverse society. Every teacher, parent, and coach should accept the challenge of instilling a strong sense of faith in the face of today's world, not run away from it. If faith-based education, college and life preparation, and a "balanced program" are really what shape the school's philosophy, then Lourdes should remain where it is.
I will support a downtown renovation, but not relocation.
I am an alumni. I think building a new school that will only accommodate 50 more students is not worth the added cost. RCS is no better than the public schools by teaching kids that you need a state-of-the-art building to learn.
Class of 1997. LHS is not even that old of a building! We all know LHS has been expanded in the past- why not do it again? Tearing down a building just so kids can see the football field and tennis courts from the window of their science lab station does not make for a better education.
I would certainly support a downtown renovation but wouldn't support in any way a move to a new location.
I am a 1986 graduate, my sister is a 1989 graduate, 3 aunts, 3 uncles and 3 cousins are graduates, and my mom was a 1964 graduate at the current location. The downtown location should be preserved for the following reasons: 1. Schools are a vital part of our neighborhoods, 2. The downtown location attracts a diverse student body, some of these students would likely not be able to attend at the new location, 3. Continuation of the tradition and unique heritage of the current location, 4. Preventing another Mayo parking lot. I don't understand how a decision such as this can be made by the Board of Trustees without input from the students, faculty and alumni who have built LHS over the years to be the valuable institution that it is.
I would financially support a renovation at the current location, I would not support a new school at a new location.
My wife was a 1979 graduate of Lourdes. We are both deeply disappointed by the decision to move Lourdes from its present location. Most upsetting of all was that the parents, students, and alumni seem to have had no voice. Our children attend Nativity of our Lord catholic school in St. Paul, and our church and parish were face with a similar deicision to remodel or build a new school. However, the process was far more democratic. The school was more than 80 years old, and it was obvious to everyone that something had to be done to modernize one of the largest catholic grade schools in the country. For six months, we did nothing as a congregation except to attend open houses at the school to understand the curent challenges--and to pray. We set aside a minute each Sunday to pray as a congregration to make the best decison for the church and school. Then, a series of parish meetings were scheduled to discuss options. Ultimately, we settled on three options: minor remodelng, remodeling with some new construction, and totally new construction--with tear down of the existing structures. With the three options identified, we then voted. The majority voted for Option 2: the combination of remodelling and new construction. The cost was $15 million. Since this was a large sum, we then began a campaign to prepare the community for fund raising. Approximately 100 familites were needed to act as coordinators to meet face to face with potential donors in the parish. Although fund raising is not our strong suit, we volunteered for this job--and met with approximately 10 families to present the need and the suggested funding amounts. Since the entire parish was deeply involved in this process, we easily met the $15 million goal. The building process is now underway, with the full support of the parish. While not perfect, this was a far more democratic model than the process that was followed for Lourdes. It is extremely unlikely that we will financially support the current plan to relocate Lourdes from the downtown area. I strongly recommend that the Board of Trustees reopen the issue for full partnership of the parish and community.
Our children were LHS students and our grandchildren are current RCS students. We completed the survey sent to us about the construction of a new school. No announcement on the results of the survey was made---just a declaration that a new high school will be built. A decision of this magnitude should involve discussion and much more communication with all stakeholders. The decision to leave a location that has been so centrally located and so steeped in tradition for families of the entire area must be explained. All the advantages of the current location will be lost forever and for what?
Our annual donations will stop and no future donations will be made if the campus is moved.
Alumni
Yes
alumni 1968; husband also alumni 1969; preserve the history. Use less money to update existing buildings. New building will be much higher price tag and will result in higher tuition and harder for some families to be able to afford.
I'm a 1977 graduate of Lourdes and I believe it should remain in its current location. I was on the 2nd and 3rd task force for school construction in the Fergus Falls Minnesota School District. The first two referendums failed which were in the $50-$60 million range. The first two referendums were for new construction. The third referendum which was for remodeling at $32 million passed this year. Issues in Fergus Falls appear to be similar to issues at Lourdes. The decision for the lower cost remodeling was based on balancing the costs that would be approved in a referendum verses the needs of the district. Green space, similar to Lourdes was an issue but when the harder decisions needed to be made it appeared that academics and cost were a priority over athletics for this public school district. Including in the remodeling plan was demolition of some of the worst and oldest portions of the school district%u2019s infrastructure. An additional item that was reinforced from my experience as a facilities engineer and as part of the task force was that remodeling in most cases is more cost effective than new construction when all the costs are included in the project such as site improvements, utilities, replacement of buildings that are structurally sound. etc%u2026.. I would prefer Lourdes remained in the same location. Since enrollment at Lourdes appears to be similar to the Fergus Falls district, I believe that it would be difficult to justify building a High School for $55 million in a public school district for a similarly aged building
Children and grandchildren attended LHS Should be in downtown area centrally located
Downtown renovation
Alumni, class of '87. Moving LHS from downtown would be a tragic step in the school's and Rochester's history. There must be alternatives that would open the door for remodeling and partnership with downtown business. In addition, the opportunity for student's to have very positive work experience within walking distance of the school is, and has been, a powerful contributor to the student body over its history.
I would absolutely be willing to increase donation to the school if it stays downtown. Moving it would cause me to move donations to other groups or organizations.
I'm a 2007 graduate of Lourdes and I believe it should remain in its current location. It's been there for years. Most of my family has graduated from LHS. If LHS were to be rebuilt, my sister would have to start her senior year in a different Lourdes than she started out in. The current building location is ideal for most people. Not only are there numerous volunteer opportunities for the students, but access to Mayo, the Library, Ronald McDonald House, and many other businesses are only a few blocks away. All my memories of high school are in that building and it would be devestating if it were to be turned into another Mayo building or, even worse, a parking lot! I would love to be able to visit Lourdes in the future and know exactly where it were located and remember everything. Moving Lourdes to a different location in Rochester would take away the special things that make Lourdes what it is today.
I would NOT support, in any way, the Lourdes relocation.
I went to LHS and both of my children now attend RCS (2nd and 4th grade at St. Francis). If tuition goes up more than normal because of the move, we will consider pulling them out altogether and definitely won't send our kids to the new LHS. There has always been WAY too much emphasis on sports at LHS and there's no doubt in my mind that sports and attracting the star players is the only reason for the proposed move. The building and the history are wonderful reasons to stay, and the values instilled by not being the shiniest, newest high school in town are character-building and important for our kids in this culture of "if it's old get rid of it". LHS has such a long history of generations of family members attending the same school. My guess is with the new school, the urge to send our kids to the same school we attended will be reduced.
I would much rather deal with a tuition increase if it meant some renovations to the current downtown building. I don't believe that huge renovations are necessary, but whatever it takes to stay downtown is important to us.
We believe buying neighborhood properties and rebuilding/renovating current location is a smarter decision. Seems the decision making people are as always, doing what they want, listening to only a few wealthy prominent stakeholders, instead of the majority who oppose a new LHS. Maybe they don't need the majority's financial backing as the catholic church has scads. We sent a letter opposing the firing of teacher, Mr. Decker, as many others did. My two youngest missed out on his fabulous teaching and classroom personality. The Board of Trustees reminds many of a city council who are supposed to make decisions on behalf of the people, but instead do what they want. We hope and pray they don't end up regretting their decision to relocate, and alienating many alumni and stakeholders (supporters).
I believe that Lourdes should remain at its current location. I graduated in 2007 and would love to return home in the future and see Lourdes downtown. I practically lived in Alumni Hall the past 4 years and feel that it would be a shame if future generations were deprived of that experience. Most of my high school memories took place in that gym and I don't want to see it replaced.
I would not financially support the relocation of Lourdes High School.
It seems that the powers that be have lost sight of the values that it taught all of us. Whatever can be done should be done to keep LHS downtown. -Class '97
I am a member of the Class of 1995. I do not want to see Lourdes move from its current location. I would be willing to support the school financially in order to ensure that it stays at its current location.
I am much more likely to support the school if it stays downtown. If it moves away from downtown, the chances that I am going to stay connected to the school as the years pass by will decrease significantly.
History is of importance, especially in a place I regard as holy.
I am an alumi of the class of 1989 Lourdes BELONGS where it is at. If it is moved the current building will most likely become a parking lot for Mayo & that would be a sad day! There is so much history there that would be lost & that the upcoming classes would miss out on.
Please keep LHS downtown- It is a beautiful building and it would be a shame to see Mayo take it over
Class of 1976
The focus needs to be on academics, not athletics.
Totally against the move to a new location. Very disappointed that this is even in consideration. Class of 95'
Aside from the financial considerations already identified among these comments, there are many compelling reasons to maintain the downtown location for LHS: 1. proximity to Mayo employment is critical to LHS enrollment, as many parents want the simplicity of having their teenager close to their employment; 2. the downtown location is critical to RCS marketing because it provides a central point of gravity across the Rochester environs; 3. the north parking lot and possibly one additional city block lot can easily accommodate a new Fine Arts Center, expanded parking, and suitable green space; and 4. the nexus to the new University of Minnesota campus will provide additional college-preparatory opportunities for LHS students that would not be available at a remote location. Persons in support of the downtown location should insist that the RCS Trustees release the report of its own Lourdes Building Our Future Steering Team, dated September 2006. This document provides additional rationale for the downtown campus. The Trustees should also be requested to disclose what the vote was among its Steering Team between the "green site" and downtown locations.
I may financially support a renovated downtown LHS campus. I will not support a green site campus.
Our family supports keeping LHS an integral part of the heritage of downtown Rochester and the Kutzky neighborhood.
Due to it's current location, Lourdes can open its doors to a more diverse population than if it was moved. I believe that as the High School that is Christ centered - accessibility should be a number one priority to offer ALL residents of Rochester and beyond. As a graduate (1988) it is disappointing to see Lourdes follow the path that the other High Schools in the area follow, that is sports centered. Lourdes used to stand for its academic standards.
Most definitely!
I have two sons attending Lourdes and the central location is important for several reasons already stated by others. It seems that keeping up with the current budget is already a struggle and Lourdes would not be acting fiscally responsible by building a new campus. The statements in the press make it seem as though those making the decision to move are holding their breath until they get their way and maybe not acting in the best interests of the Catholic community. Think again very carefully about this %u201Cdecision,%u201D consider those who have been supporting Lourdes thus far, and cross your fingers. The well may be dry.
I will not be writing any checks for a new campus.
I am an '82 grad of Lourdes. Three of the 5 kids in my family graduated from Lourdes. My father and his whole family graduated from, and lived blocks from Lourdes. As a parent raising 3 children in the Twin Cities, my wife and I are quickly coming to the conclusion that we can't afford to send our 3 kids to Catholic grade school AND high school. It is simply too costly. We are resigned to switching our kids to public school after 8th grade. What a shame that a solid Catholic education is becoming out of reach for even middle-class families. Investing millions into isolated, new campuses only puts Catholic education further into the elite only status. The definition of catholic is, "universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all; pertaining to the whole christian body or church." Moving to an isolated campus, and away from the heart of the community, is contradictory to the basis of Catholicism.
I cannot support, financially or otherwise, a move from the present location.
As a 1986 graduate, I am opposed to moving LHS. Having a central location allows students from all over the city and beyond access to a great high school education. Service to the community has always been valued at LHS. Staying in the heart of Rochester will foster such service.
Yes
i am an 1960 alumni of lhs and think it is at a perfect spot for all. i have supported lohs in the past and would like to see it stay there. with such high cost of building don't want to see it go into debt.
I am a LHS grad. I believe KHS can fulfill its philosophy andspread our mission better by being downtown to continue to support the elementary schools(public and parochial) and service projects in businesses which may otherwise be too far too travel to.
I would need to see why stakeholders feel the move is soooo important vs. adding on within downtown site.
Being a parent of four alumni, and a longtime school board member at St, Pius and LHS... and having played a role in the expansion of the current facility and also a role in the acquisition of additional property to allow for growth of the facility, I am very opposed to the relocation to a new site and the abandonment of the current site. My family is also a major donor to LHS and have put our hearts and souls into LHS over many years. I have believed that for many of the past years there have been hidden agendas, management and Board disconnect from the LHS community, their donor community and the alumni. Now I am beginning to maybe understand why. I applaud the alumni, friends of LHS, and others who are stepping forward.
