Dear Friends of West Lutheran High School,

As we were coming back from spring break in Branson, MO we stopped to see some friends in Iowa. Our daughter who is a freshman at WLHS had brought a classmate along and our fifth grade son was with us as well. We stopped at a pizza place and ate and talked about memories along with what was going on with our children. My friend John talked with the girls quite a bit during our time together, and I thought it was great how he was willing to take such an interest in what they were doing.

After about two hours it was time to get back on the road and the kids left the table and it was the four of us parents sitting there starting to say our good byes. It was at that point that John said,
“I sure wish we had a Lutheran High School around here, you can just tell there is a difference in those girls.”

We know what that difference is! It is the One Thing Needful, Jesus Christ. What a blessing this school is to my family and all the families that have taken advantage of the chance for their children to hear about His saving grace every single school day.

For thirty years West has been blessed by God to hold His light and shine it on over nine hundred students. How far God has taken the little school that met in borrowed or rental facilities for many years to what we have today.

In Revelation John records his dream where the churches he served were referred to as Lampstands holding the Light for all to see.  WLHS holds that same Light. While that Light will never change or grow dim that which holds it can get weak from time to time and it is for that reason we are coming to you today.

WLHS is not recession proof and you may have heard we are struggling financially. Let me assure you we will be here for many years to come!  Thanks to an administration that demonstrates good stewardship and responsibly handles the running of our school we are not in a crisis. This is despite a significant drop in gifts from our association churches and a drop in enrollment.

Here is what we face and need your prayers to consider how best to handle:

1. We will be about $140,000 short of our need to cover our expenses for the 2008-09 school year, as currently projected.
2. We will see an enrollment decrease of 10-20 students for the 2009-10 school year.
3. We need a $400,000 reserve at all times to avoid defaulting on our loan. We currently have about $600,000 much of which only the interest is used to help with tuition assistance.
4. We will need more gifts for the 2009-10 school year to avoid running a deficit budget at our planned staffing levels. As you know, we have already moved forward with combining our choral and band programs and discontinued the German program for next year to help reduce costs.

Next steps to take:

1. The board of regents has decided to move swiftly with a program to raise $300,000-$400,000 to ensure a responsible move forward with our finances. It is our goal to get cash gifts and pledges in this amount by the end of the calendar year for gifts to be given over the next twelve months. This will cover our current deficit and give us some breathing room for next year.
2. The committee for Recruitment and Development is putting a program in place to help with encouraging families to send their children to West. Our school facility and budget works best when we have over 200 students.

Some facts:

1. As per a study published in 2006 the Lutheran School System is the best in the country over any other public, private or parochial system.
   
    
    
2. WLHS is second to none in preparing students for college and service to our Savior. 
    
3. Many WLHS students have become pastors and teachers in the churches and schools within our fellowship.  
4. Parents of our students and alumni are the best at pointing out the advantages of a WLHS education. They therefore are our best recruiters.

 What can you do?

1. Pray for our school to do God’s will in all aspects!
2. Volunteer your time to programs that benefit WLHS including the Wise Penny…
3. Give to the Strengthening the Lampstand program.
4. See the new website at WLHS.net for ways to give. Giving is only one click away.
5. Set up a monthly giving amount. This will create the opportunity for you to easily give each month electronically.  The directions for this are on WLHS.net. 

Thank you for your support of West Lutheran!

Dave Wiechmann

Chair Recruitment and Development, WLHS