Saxony Lutheran High School's growing student population prompts expansion

Throughout nine years as a math teacher at Saxony Lutheran High School, Becky Wichern watched the school's enrollment balloon from 7 to 176.

"We didn't assume we were going to be this big," Wichern said.

Class was held in the activities center at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau before the current school opened in 2004, she said. Now even that facility is cramped, and the school is working on an expansion.

"We were just happy to have any materials we could get," she said of the school's first four years.

Space is tight as enrollment grows and the school reaches capacity, said principal Craig Ernstmeyer.

Larry Johns, center, keeps track of measurements Wednesday, April 22, 2009, as he and other Penzel Construction Company workers begin work on a wing expansion at Saxony Lutheran High School. (Kit Doyle)

"As we've been blessed with more students, we feel the need to build on," he said.

The school broke ground on the $1.1 million expansion project April 17 that will add 14,000 square feet of classrooms and storage space. The project will add five classrooms and more than double the size of the library.

When the school moved into its new facility in 2004, 86 students attended the school. Enrollment has grown steadily since a 30-student increase during the 2007-2008 school year. Ernstmeyer said he expects 200 students next year.

"While we're getting stronger and bigger, our feeder schools are seeing that too," he said.

He said the school adds staff positions each year, part-time and full-time. Next year, he said the school will add two part-time positions.

Expansion work on a wing of Saxony Lutheran High School starts Wednesday, April 22, 2009. (Kit Doyle)

With larger numbers also comes space issues, he said. Some math classes are held in an art room. Athletes have not had a weight room for two years because the school needed to convert the space into a classroom, he said.

"We can provide them with an optimum learning environment with this expansion," Ernstmeyer said.

The school was constructed so it would be easy to build onto in the future, he said. The project will extend both wings of the building, including 11,000 square feet of classroom space. Ernstmeyer said one wing is scheduled for completion by the end of the summer. The other wing should open by October, he said.

As the school grows, he said he anticipates other long-term construction projects, including a pavilion for concessions and restrooms, and an auditorium. He said those projects will be considered when resources are available.

"We definitely see this expansion as a need," he said. "Those are wants."

Frank Stempfle, of Rebar Specialist, organizes rebar Wednesday, April 22, 2009, for the footing of an expansion project at Saxony Lutheran High School. The expansion is a two-part project. (Kit Doyle)

The expansion will be funded by a capital fundraising campaign through the school's development office. Ernstmeyer said the campaign will target the school's 25 supporting congregations and interested community members.

Larry Cleair, who teaches math and physics, is co-chairman of the fundraising campaign committee. He said efforts are increasing as construction reaches full speed.

"It's a lot easier to get people excited when there's something going on, on the ground," he said.

Cleair said this project only includes features that will facilitate the school's growth.

"It's somewhat of a no-frills facility," he said. "It's a very comfortable and functional facility that we're putting up."

Despite the economic slowdown, he said he hopes the project will generate excitement about the school's growth.

"I think there's such an appreciation for a Christ-centered education, people are going to dig a little deep," Cleair said.

abusch@semissourian.com

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