BREAKING: Wisconsin Valley Lutheran is closing, according to letter sent to parents
A letter obtained by The Wausonian shows the Mosinee school is wrapping up operations at the end of this school year.
Wisconsin Valley Lutheran is closing and this school year will be its last.
That’s according to a letter sent by Rev. Scott Gustafson on behalf of the school’s board of directors to parents of the school. This school year was the Mosinee religious school’s 19th year in existence. The Wausonian recently obtained the letter.
According to the letter, after the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year, the school will no longer class, activities or programs.
“We’re all devastated by this,” Gustafson writes in the letter. “However, after looking at every possible avenue and praying endlessly, we have come to realize that this decision is necessary because of the financial decline of WI Valley caused in part because of continually decreasing enrollment, the lack of resources, and the growing needs within our facility and for our operations.”
Enrollments in Wisconsin as a whole have been declining for some time. Third Friday counts reported to the Department of Public Instruction show enrollments statewide have declined by nearly 40,000 students from 2017’s count to 2021’s. Many Wausau area districts have seen those declines as well.
Though private schools aren’t included in the data set from DPI The Wausonian reviewed, reports showed only 37 students were listed as enrolled at Wisconsin Valley Lutheran, according to U.S. News and World Report and Private School Review.
Gustafson in the letter, dated May 7, says the last few weeks would be dedicated to wrapping up the 19th and last school year for Wisconsin Valley Lutheran, winding down operations at the school, and supporting staff and students.
The Wausonian plans to reach out to Valley Lutheran officials for more information, and will update this story if and when this publication receives more details.
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