At Butte Central Catholic Schools (BCCS), we are committed to provide a quality educational program, while improving the spiritual, academic, and fiscal operations.  Each spring and summer, our school leaders work with our advisory council members to plan for a comprehensive school year and this summer was not different.  We anticipate 2007-2008 to be an exciting and productive year for our students and families and we are looking forward to seeing the school buildings open their doors in less than one month.

Due to delinquent tuition collections, BCCS will now have only two options for tuition payments.  Families will have only the following tuition payment options available, 1) Payment in Full at the beginning of the school year, or 2) FACTS Automated Tuition Payments.  Families currently using FACTS Automated Tuition Payments will be automatically re-enrolled.  New families to BCCS are required to complete FACTS payment form included with this letter. 
The Diocese of Helena Catholic Schools Office is allowing us to honor semester tuition payments for those families who have historically remunerated their tuition on a semester basis - as long as they continue to have satisfactory payment records.  Any deviation from the first or second payment dates will results in that family being moved to the FACTS Automated Tuition Payment program. 

In our continued efforts to support a socially just tuition model, BCCS bases our tuition assessment on family income.  In order to correctly determine the appropriate amount all parents / guardians are required to provide verification of their income, which includes the Adjusted Gross Income, as shown on Line 37 of the annual Federal Income Tax Filing (IRS Form 1040), as well as, all other non-taxable income.  Please bring this information when you return your forms.
All tuition arrangements are due by August 31, 2007.  Families who do not have their formal tuition arrangement completed by then will be subject to a late registration fee.  Families who do not have their arrangement completed by September 17, 2007 will be assessed a late registration fee.  All families shall have all tuition arrangements completed and submitted by September 30th or their child(ren) will be denied admission to school on October 1st. 

Within the schools’ annual budget, there are three main items that make-up operating revenue.  The first is family tuition, which accounts for approximately seventy-three (73%) percent of revenues.  The second item is the support received from our Foundation, which is approximately fifteen (15%) percent of revenues.  The third is the annual support received from our local Catholic Parishes, which makes up approximately nine (9%) percent of revenues.  The remaining three (3%) percent consists of miscellaneous revenue items. 

As you can see, our Foundation provides a significant portion of the School’s operating revenues.  The Foundation relies primarily on major annual fundraising events in order to provide its assistance to the schools.  One such fundraiser is the Family Night Auction which is held during the spring.  The event held last March, raised approximately $50,000 to help support the school operations.  In order to gain family awareness of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, the Advisory Council has recommended that each family purchase a Family Night Auction ticket.  In return, they will receive a ticket that will admit two people to the Family Night Auction which will be held in the spring 2008.  The cost of the ticket will be included in each family’s tuition assessment.  By doing this, it will generate approximately fundraising revenue, as well as provide an opportunity for all Central parents to spend an evening together in support of the schools. 
When we support the Foundation’s fundraising events, we provide more support for the schools and we keep future tuition increases to a minimum.  Included with this letter is a listing of Annual Fundraising events through the Foundation.  If you have not considered participating in any of these fundraising events, we would greatly appreciate your consideration. 

We believe the Catholic Education at BCCS is priceless but also understand the financial sacrifices our families make.  BCCS will continue to work with every family to assure that we are a school for all who seek a Catholic education for their child(ren).  This is a vital component of the schools’ mission.  And we ask all parents to join us in meeting our mission by meeting their tuition obligation and assisting the fundraising efforts of the Foundation. 

Thank you for your continued loyalty to Butte Central Catholic Schools and for your support to fulfill the ministry of Catholic religious formation and education for your children.