History C.P.E.S. The Beginning A desire for quality Catholic education is deeply rooted in the Holyland communities. Over forty years ago an alarm sounded that Catholic education in the Holyland was in jeopardy. Independently operated rural parish schools were seeing declining enrolment, cost for educating students was rising, Religious orders were not able to provide teachers and it was difficult to find lay teachers to work in rural areas. It didn't take long for parents to answer the call. Sr. DeMontfort, C.S.A., a teaching principal of the Marytown School, was the first to alert the parents to the gravity of the situation. On February 6, 1969, Sr. DeMontfort met with parents from Marytown and a committee was formed to study the problem and recommend possible solutions. Of particular interest to this group was a proposed tuition reimbursement bill before the State Assembly. Local District 6th Representative Gervase Hephner was contacted and invited to speak to the group about C.E.F. (Citizens for Educational Freedom) and the tuition bill. On February 17th Mr. Hephner met with the study committee, along with invited pastors, sisters, lay teachers, and parents from neighboring parishes. After much discussion and a realization that this bill might not become a law, Mr. Hephner suggested that a consolidation might be the answer to their problem. A fact-finding committee consisting of representatives from Marytown, Mt. Calvary, St. Cloud and Johnsburg set out to study buildings, equipment, enrollment, teacher availability, and funds. Upon completion of the groundwork, they were ready for professional assistance. The Superintendent of Archdiocesan schools, Fr. Harold Ide was contacted and a meeting was held on March 11,1969. He expressed appreciation for being asked to help resolve the problems, adding that this was the first time lay people had contacted him for help in keeping Catholic schools progressing. He assured the parishioners present that no parish would make it alone, but they could make it together. On March 31, 1969 representatives from Johnsburg, Mt. Calvary, St. Cloud and Marytown met at Johnsburg Parish. St. Anna Parish asked to be present at this time. Their parish, which is in the Green Bay Diocese, had just learned that the Holy Family Order could no longer supply sisters to their school. Plans already started by the Milwaukee Archdiocese could not accommodate St. Anne at least for the first year. Fr. Ide laid out plans for the organization. One school would be operated in four buildings. One school board consisting of the four-parish pastors, two lay members from each parish, and one principal would govern the school system. Separate meetings were held at each parish to vote on the plan for consolidation. Each parish voted to join and school board representatives were elected at each of these meetings. Fr. Ide contacted Sr. M. Rosita, Mother Superior of the St. Agnes Community, to request appointment of a principal. Sr. Martin, C.S.A. (also known as Sr. Louise Budash) was named principal. The Consolidation became a reality on April 28,1969, when the first school board meeting was held. The first slate of officers were elected. The immediate tasks at hand were to obtain projected enrollments, hire teachers, work out legal aspects, develop a budget, set up bussing schedules, and decide on parish funding. It was decided that each parish would maintain their respective school buildings. Teacher salaries and supplies directly related to teaching would be shared on a parish enrollment basis. One important item on the agenda was to decide on a name for the school. With so much business to discuss, two school board meetings passed without an agreed upon name. Suggestions to run a contest to name the school were never carried out. Out of necessity, the treasurer had checks printed with "Consolidated Parochial Elementary School". The New Holstein Reporter first used the abbreviated "C.P.E.S." When running articles about the school. The 1968-1969 school year ended early so that preparations for the consolidation could be started. Buildings needed to be upgraded. Furnishings, equipment, textbooks, and library material had to be labeled and shifted to the various schools. One of the board members serves as legal counsel and the school was incorporated and the charter was signed. Busing problems also needed to be worked out. Although the majority of the students lived n the New Holstein School District, negotiations had to be made with the districts of Fond du Lac, Plymouth, Campbellsport and Elkhart Lake. The months of hard work and cooperation were rewarded in the fall of 1969 when C.P.E.S. opened its doors for the first students. There had been many differences of opinion and a lot of give and take, but over time the growing pains gave way to a new spirit of unity felt throughout the entire Holyland community. Much credit has to be given to the many people who gave of their time and talent in the early formative years. Our thanks must also go out to the parents who responded to the need to preserve Catholic schools and freedom of choice in education not only for their children, but also for future generations. It is the parents who continue to choose Catholic education that keep C.P.E.S. alive!