The rumors were true. Marist High School will remain open for the 2017-2018 school year after announcing in late March that it was at risk of closing if unable to raise $1.5 million. While the school did not hit that mark, the $755,571 it raised through its “Save Marist NJ” campaign was enough to convince the Marist Brothers, who own and operate the school, that Marist and its supporters have the support and fundraising capacity to continue providing a quality Catholic education.
The school’s Financial Committee reviewed proposed budget projections for 2017-2020 and sent them to the Marist Brothers Finance Committee, which sent its recommendation to the Marist Brothers Council last week. Faculty, parents, and students kept their fingers crossed. Head of School Alice Miesnik said her hope never waned, and it was vital that the hopes of students and faculty not wane either.
Marist alumni, families of prospective students, families of current students, and complete strangers all contributed to keeping Marist afloat.
In a press release, the Marist Brothers said, “While Marist High School has made considerable efforts to secure its future, the campaign to keep Marist High School a viable option for education in Hudson County will need continued diligence in three critical areas: increasing student enrollment, increasing fundraising efforts, and continued collection of student tuition.”
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“It’s not as if we raised $750,000 and the game is over. We have to keep going, and we’re leaving the bar up. And we’re hoping people still want to contribute.” – Alice Miesnik
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Crisis averted
“When you’re in crisis, it is very, very difficult to have hope, but being hopeful is not a lost cause,” Miesnik said. “It radiates goodness and positivity, and certainly changes everyone’s outlook. It feeds on itself. If we were discouraged and moping, I don’t think we would have got nearly as much done.”
Though Miesnik was busy during the school’s fundraising campaign, much of the hard work has yet to be done.
With Marist Brothers’ outlined goals in mind, the school administration is “shifting gears,” according to Miesnik, moving ahead with a strategic plan to achieve long-term sustainability that incorporates everything the school has learned during this month of crisis.
“We have to plan for the future and it’s up to us,” said Miesnik. She said the school’s fundraising capacity and overwhelming support has raised the bar, as efforts continue to remain open.“It’s not as if we raised $750,000 and the game is over,” she said.“We have to keep going, and we’re leaving the bar up. And we’re hoping people still want to contribute.”
Continuing to fundraise is part of Marist’s business model going forward. After funding is secure, a new model and long-term strategy will be developed. In the very short term, a comedy night is planned for May 13. Tickets will be $40, with all proceeds benefitting the school. Comedian A.G. White will host the event, which will be held at the school and feature comedians Freddie Ricks, Mimi Simpson, and Jonathon Martin.
Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com.
