Chicago Mennonite school suspends operation

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PITTSBURGH—On Jan. 19, the Chicago Mennonite Learning Center (CMLC) board of directors decided to suspend operation of the school for the school year September 2008-June 2009.

The board will discern the future mission and ministry of CMLC and consult with metropolitan Chicago Mennonite church, Mennonite conferences and other stakeholders as well as use consultation services of Mennonite Education Agency.

“We really do believe God will lead us into a new thing,” says Sueann VonGunten, board president.

Current issues facing the school include financial difficulties (two-thirds of CMCL’s budget must be fund-raised); Chicago public schools’ improved education and CMLC’s tuition increase, causing a loss of CMLC students, and a changing CMLC neighborhood.

“Staff is having success academically and changing students’ lives,” says VonGunten. “We will continue to have financial needs for the rest of this school year. We are operating within budget but are carrying a $109,071 loan from past deficits.”

“It’s not that our donors have stopped giving, but it hasn’t increased with the expenses and cost of living,” she adds.—Anna Groff

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