'All In' for St. Bernard HS

By Margaret M. Russell  | The Catholic Free Press

FITCHBURG –  The newly announced “All In: Campaign for St. Bernard’s High School” is seeking to raise more than $2 million to ensure the future of the high school.
The Bernardian Charitable Foundation and the board of trustees for St. Bernard’s High School Inc., announced the public launch of the “All In” campaign this week.
Donors have already committed more than $725,000 in the leadership phase of the campaign. Now, alumni, family, and friends are being invited to make multi-year investments to support the school, according to a press release Monday from the trustees.  
“In just two short months, an initial group of dedicated supporters have made generous commitments, and we fully expect that other alumni and friends will go ‘All In’ as we continue the campaign,” said Karen Pelletier, a 1980 graduate of the school who is chairing the effort. Ms. Pelletier, of Westminster, is a trustee for the corporation which seeks to run St. Bernard’s High School independently.
Due to financial losses and declining enrollment, the diocese announced in June that it would no longer be able to afford to subsidize the diocesan school. The diocese said that funding for the 2019-20 year would be dependent on keeping enrollment above 100. After enrollment surpassed the goal in July, David Perda, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, announced that Bishop McManus would keep the school open for another school year. Superintendent Perda estimated that the cost to the diocese to cover the school’s operating deficit could run a little more than $800,000. He also said the diocese is working with a transition team which could lead to the school becoming a private, independent Catholic school.
Since the spring, volunteers have created a new corporate entity; a board of trustees has been recruited to oversee the strategic plan and overall operations, and committees have formed to work on all major aspects of the transition, including academics, finance, alumni relations, marketing, athletics, facilities and development.   
In filings dated Nov. 7, St. Bernard’s High School Inc. was recognized by the Secretary of the Commonwealth as a corporation established to operate an independent,  nonprofit, Catholic school. David Sullivan of Dover is listed as the corporation’s president. Gregory J. Moran of Leominster is listed as treasurer and John Zarella of Fitchburg as the clerk. Nine people make up the board of trustees.
“The work product of the committees is becoming more visible to the Bernardian community and the public,” said Kathy Krysiak, a member of the board of trustees.  “Both the school and the Bernardian Foundation websites, as well as the social media accounts, have announced major progress, including increased financial aid and scholarships, a commitment to affordability, and continued excellence in academics, athletics, and the development of future leaders who embrace the school’s motto ‘Love One Another.’”
“We’re asking prospective families to be ‘all in’ when they commit to attend, so it’s appropriate that we also ask our alumni and friends to be equally committed to the school’s future,” Linda Anderson, the school’s principal, said this week.
Donor support is expected to stabilize the school’s finances and will be critical over the next few years as the school works to build on its current momentum, the press release says.
The school is also seeing evidence of enrollment moving in the right direction. The foundation, school, and board of trustees are sending the message that St. Bernard’s is here to grow and thrive for the next 100 years, they said.
In the coming months, the community can expect to see more public events, direct mailings, and avenues to donate, including an online-giving portal found on the Bernardian Foundation website, bernardian.org.  
The Bernardian Charitable Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that operates exclusively to promote the educational and religious objectives of St. Bernard’s High School. It was first established in 2012 to support the diocesan school, but amended its articles of organization in October to be able to support an independent school. Its work is accomplished by providing services for alumni and supporters and by serving as the primary fundraising vehicle for the school.
The foundation solicits, administers, and invests private funds for the sole benefit of the school and its mission. The foundation is managed by an independent board of directors.
St. Bernard’s High School was founded in 1920 as a commercial high school for young women, housed in the basement of the former St. Bernard’s Girls School on Middle Street, and operated by the Sisters of the Presentation. In 1927 the school on Harvard Street was opened. Since its founding, more than 12,000 students have graduated from St. Bernard’s and have gone on to become both civic leaders as well as noted professionals. School alumni can be found in most every state as well as in 10 countries, according to the press release.