Clarifying the vision, logistics, and stewardship of the campaign

The building committee retained Noder Construction Services to provide a conceptual cost opinion from drawings provided by FGMA architects. A project estimate of $5.6M was received for the new K-8 building addition. Team members also met with a local commercial building firm, Boeker Construction, who projected the cost of the project at $4.5M. Please reference the chart on page 15 of the campaign booklet for a breakdown of the cost difference between the two opinions.

Since the restart of St. Paul School in 2014 with 14 students, enrollment has grown steadily reaching 88 students this year. In recent years, we have seen a strong influx of families choosing St. Paul from across the United States. This expansion will allow us to serve up to 125 students, providing space for continued growth and ensuring we can meet the needs of both current and future families.

The active campaign runs through the end of November this year. Pledges are then fulfilled over a three-year period, which allows families to prayerfully plan their giving in a way that works best for them.

Great care is being taken to ensure the new addition blends seamlessly with the beauty of our current campus. Architectural renderings will be shared so that everyone can see how the project will enhance both form and function.

We have an immediate need for additional classrooms, more restrooms, and better spaces for both school and church activities. The current school enrollment is eighty-eight (8 Pre-K + 80 full-time) and grades are multi-level in all classrooms except Pre-K. Multiple subjects are taught at the same time in the same classroom space which requires the need to house additional books & supplies and the cabinets & shelves for storage. More classroom space is necessary to meet the needs of our students. Dedicated library and music class space is currently inadequate. There are two bathrooms (1 boys with one stall & two urinals & one sink, 1 girls with two stalls and two sinks) available to full-time students causing bottlenecks during transitions from lunch, recess, P.E., etc. Limited bathroom space also becomes an issue during extracurricular events like basketball games & concerts. As for ample room for faculty and pastoral needs, the senior pastor and secretary are secluded away from the congregation and school, the vicar is stationed in the vestry, and the Kantor made an office out of a utility closet. Similarly, our teachers currently tutor in a school closet or gym locker rooms when additional assistance is necessary. Students eat lunch at folding tables in the gym which is also at capacity. Extra folding tables & chairs have been brought in to accommodate the increased student population. Campus security is a very real concern. There is nothing but a few glass doors, a buzzer, and broken locks between the outside forces and the children.

Additionally, our ladies' groups are frequently interrupted by students moving into and out of the church throughout the school day. There is also a need for extra storage space for quilting and other congregational needs and meetings. Our Sunday School would directly benefit from having more classroom space. Addressing these needs now allows us to build on our momentum and prepare for future growth.

Construction will begin after the congregation approves the project, architectural drawings are completed, bids are received, and a construction firm is selected. Once those steps are in place, we will finalize a start date and share that timeline with everyone.

The project is anticipated to take 9–12 months from start to finish.

The campaign's results will help us determine both the level of gifts pledged over the three-year period and the amount of financing required. The goal of the campaign is to raise at least 50% of the planned cost of the project. The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) offers programs and guidance that will help us structure repayment in a manageable and sustainable way.

The committee has discussed the possibility of completing the project in phases, depending on the funds available. Our priority is to remain faithful stewards while still moving forward in ways that serve our school and congregation.

Yes. Pledge information is confidential. Only the campaign's financial director and recorder will see pledge cards as part of the necessary recording process.

We understand that circumstances change. If your situation prevents you from fulfilling your original pledge, we respect that and encourage you to give as you are able. On the other hand, some may find themselves able to increase their pledge over time. Flexibility is built into this process, and we trust each family to make prayerful decisions.

The project includes an expansion of parking. Once complete, there will be 30 additional spaces on the north side of the school, providing more convenience for families and visitors.

A special campaign allows us to share the vision and needs of St. Paul clearly with our congregation. It gives every member an opportunity to learn about the project, pray about their role, and decide how they can support the growth of our ministry in a meaningful way.

While donations can be made at any time, our designated "First Gifts Sunday" will be December 7th . That said, some gifts have already been received, and we welcome early contributions. When giving, please be sure to note Generations Fund on the envelope and/or check memo line.

Yes. Campaign commitments are intended to be above and beyond regular giving. This ensures that the ongoing ministry and daily operations of our congregation continue to be supported while also funding the expansion.

The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) is an entity of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. They specialize in assisting congregations with projects like ours, offering expertise in both capital campaigns and financing. Partnering with LCEF ensures that we have professional guidance and resources throughout this process.

A campaign team is working out the plans with LCEF that will ensure communication and information is going out to the congregation. Bulletin inserts will be created providing updates on the campaign. Regular newsletters with information about the campaign will be distributed. A website to publish information from the campaign booklet, newsletters & FAQs is also being constructed for the purpose of making information easy to find and share.

Inform Events, which will be smaller group meetings, will be opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback. Updates can be provided in the bulletin, at voters meetings, and other church gatherings.

The school kitchen, church basement kitchen & school gym will be usable as in the past. Other work areas may require temporary structures to prepare depending on circumstances of the construction process.

The building committee needed to prioritize the immediate needs. Some items may have to be addressed in a future phase.

Sidewalks around the building addition and seeding of the site are included. Ongoing maintenance of the facility and grounds will be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees.

The project will be on the December 2 nd voters meeting agenda, with all information presented for discussion.

The voting process will be handled as our congregation by-laws dictate.

There are opportunities to finance the sewer project from existing funds like the Capital Improvements & Memorial Funds. Both the LCEF and Madison County have been identified as options from which to obtain financing, if necessary. Grants have been explored but none exist for the purpose of the project.

The capital campaign is intended to address the architect designs, renderings & construction of a new space for education & administration. The current school space will remain intact and repurposed for expansion of the school library, a dedicated music room & ladies' groups meeting / quilting space.

No. There would not be a project to move forward on at that time.

The campaign is designed to help our congregation determine how we can fulfill our calling financially. Staffing the needs of the school would be evaluated and discussed by the school board and presented to the voters. The fiscal outlook at that time will determine our decisions.

This information will be available for the voters to evaluate.

There is a budget number for window treatments and furnishings. There will be some current furnishings that will be used in the new addition.

There will be some things that members may need to address. One example would be the relocation of the playground before the project starts. Construction of the addition will be done by contracted professionals.

The existing space currently used for classrooms and administration area is 4,800 square feet. The new addition will add 14,000 square feet to the campus.

We would need to acquire quotes when the project is nearing completion due to the rate changes.

There will be a single access point into the building which will direct entrants to the Administration Desk. A second set of doors will be controlled by the Secretary to allow access beyond the administration area. Exterior doors along the classroom corridor will be locked and expressly used for exiting the building in case of emergency. The exception will be the rear door to the relocated playground. All exterior doors will be monitored by security camera.