January 27, 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians,

You will find attached the new schedule for tuition and fees for the 2012-13 school year. As you know from your family’s finances the cost of living increases every year. It is no different for St. Michael School as each year we face increases in utility costs as well as the salary and benefits offered to those teachers who dedicate their lives to educating our children in the Catholic Faith. As Fr. Marty discussed at the last HSA meeting, he and the parish finance council have gone over the school’s expenses and after estimating the necessary increases have determined the cost of education per student for next school year. This cost of education is reflected in the undiscounted or “out of parish” rate. After further review of the parish budget, the finance council has approved the parish subsidy schedule which determines the discounted or “parishioner” rate. The parish subsidy has increased by $350.

The bottom line for next year is while all fees will remain the same, there will be an increase of $200 for active parishioners and an increase of $550 for inactive or non-parishioners. Those wishing to pay their tuition in full at the beginning of the school year will receive a $100 discount. While we know that the economic conditions of our country and region continue to affect our families, our hope is that we are able to maintain a balance of a just wage for our teachers and reasonable tuition rate.

Also worthy of note are a few changes to the payment schedule for the 2012-13 school year. As in the past we will offer three payment plan options; annual, semester, and monthly. Those who wish to pay by the year or semester will be able to do so with cash, check, or credit card. In the past, families were allowed to make substantial partial yearly or semester payments. This will no longer be an option. Those families who are unable to pay for the entire school year, or first semester on book payment day must participate in the monthly payment option. After discussion with the school advisory board and the parish finance council, it has been decided that in the future, all families who choose the monthly payment plan must participate in Electronic Fund Transfer. This offers the benefit to our families that on the eighth of every month their tuition payment will be transferred from their checking, savings, or credit card account to the parish automatically. This will help the parish to meet its financial obligations while offering the automatic withdrawal as an added benefit to the school families.

The important part to remember is the reason why so much hard work and money goes into this project of St. Michael School. That is the children. Our common goal is that our children come to know Christ through one another and the sacraments - especially the Eucharist. If we keep our eyes focused on that goal I am confident that we will succeed with whatever challenges are put before us.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Harangody, Principal

Tuition and Fees Schedule 2012-13

Download PDFs: This cover letter and tution & fees