Next steps regarding St. Dominic Academy

Dear St. Dominic Academy Families,

Over the past week, the diocese has hosted two sessions following Bishop Ruggieri's announcement of the difficult decision to close the high school division of St. Dominic Academy. During these sessions, questions and concerns have been raised and many have requested that the diocese operate the high school division for one additional year (2025-2026 academic year) while an independent group develops a plan for a private, non-profit Catholic high school called St. Dominic Regional High School. 

On Monday April 14 in the afternoon, the following framework was sent by the diocese to the steering committee of the independent group in response to a proposal for a bridge year.

Framework for the Future

For the group advocating to keep open an Independent Catholic High School and requesting a bridge year to give time for development of their new program to proceed, the diocese would need to have the following in place by May 15, 2025:

• $3,000,000.00 in escrow – to be used exclusively for Auburn campus cash flow deficit, if necessary. This is cash on hand, not pledge amounts.
• Student enrollment to secure a viable year of operation - fully enrolled with deposit.
• Teacher retention to ensure the school is staffed appropriately.
• Operating budget for Auburn Campus to be built with Superintendent and Director of Parish & School Financial Services, which includes a line for debt service to the diocese.

Assumptions for 2025-2026

• The PK-12 Saint Dominic Academy would still be diocesan run, overseen by the Superintendent of Schools
• Grades PK-5 would operate at Holy Cross Campus
• Grades 6-12 would operate at Saint Dominic Academy, Auburn Campus
• Each campus will have separate budgets. No expenses at either campus will be charged to the other campus (i.e. overhead costs will not be shared)
• Each campus will have a principal to be supervised by the Superintendent of Schools

The diocese awaits a response to this framework as a next step. In the meantime, we are proceeding with plans to run pre-k to grade 8 programs at the Holy Cross campus in Lewiston and are committed to providing a quality, mission-driven, Catholic education. We encourage families to register for pre-k to grade 8 as soon as possible.

The community's passion for St. Dominic Academy has been quite evident over these past weeks. The diocese's commitment to sustainable Catholic education in Maine remains unwavering.

Shelly Wheeler
Superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools