This renovation addresses critical needs that will profoundly benefit both St. John the Baptist School and the entire St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish community:

• Increased Security

  • The primary driver is creating a secure, single-point entry with a double-door vestibule. All visitors will be required to enter through the main office, sign in, and be approved before accessing the school, significantly enhancing safety for our children.

• Improving Accessibility

  • As a hub for numerous parish groups and many parish wide activities, the school will become fully welcoming to all. The project includes ADA-compliant entryways, accessible lobby bathrooms, and a new elevator, ensuring everyone can participate in parish life without barriers.

• Enhanced Efficiency & Comfort

  • The current windows have reached the end of their functional lifespan. Replacing them is not only necessary to fix leaks and mold but presents a key opportunity to restore the original window sizes. This change will not only create a brighter, more inspiring environment for our students but will also beautifully preserve and elevate the historic character and curb appeal of our beloved school building. Furthermore, modern, high-efficiency windows will provide superior climate control and significant long-term savings on energy costs, making this a prudent investment in our future.

• Modernized Learning Environment

  • Upgraded facilities allow us to meet the current demands of education, providing students and staff with a functional, safe, and inspiring environment for years to come.

Last year, we celebrated a monumental milestone: the 150th anniversary of St. John the Baptist Parish. This celebration was not just about honoring our past; it was about recommitting to our future. For a century and a half, each generation has answered the call to strengthen our community, leaving a legacy of faith and resilience that we benefit from today. Now, it is our turn to build upon that foundation. This project is our generation's defining opportunity to answer that call. The urgent needs we face — especially for a secure entrance in light of tragic national events — cannot wait. This is our moment to decisively invest in our mission, ensuring St. John the Baptist School continues to be a beacon of faith and excellence for generations to come. We invite you to join us in making this legacy a reality with your generous gift.

St. John the Baptist School lies at the heart of our parish’s apostolate. Since 1874, when pioneering Catholics built a simple one-room structure for worship and education, we’ve been committed to passing on the faith. Today, the school hosts parish-wide events, faith formation, and groups like the Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women. Your support invests in this vital hub — creating a secure, accessible space – ensuring the gift of faith for our entire parish community, not just families with school students.

We are blessed in our Diocese to have many worthy causes, including the new Cathedral project. Bishop Hying and his leadership team have fully approved and endorsed our school renovation, recognizing that while the Cathedral is a diocesan-wide priority, the ongoing, vital needs of our parishes and schools are equally important and urgent. We are therefore asking our parishioners and school families to prioritize this immediate investment in our own community's safety, accessibility, and future. This project addresses critical, day-to-day needs that directly impact our children and all who use our facilities. Your generous support here ensures our local community remains strong and vibrant, which in turn strengthens the entire Diocese.

​​Our fundraising goal is $4 million. This goal reflects a carefully planned budget to ensure every dollar makes a meaningful impact. The goal is allocated across three primary areas.

• Exterior Addition and Windows ($1.6 million): This includes constructing a new secured main entrance vestibule, administrative offices, and lobby; the complete replacement of all exterior windows; and other upgrades.

• Interior Remodeling and Elevator ($1.9 million): This includes renovating the main lobby bathrooms to be fully ADA-compliant; updating all student bathrooms throughout the school; and installing a new elevator.

• Contingency Fund ($500,000): A 12.5% contingency is a standard and prudent requirement for construction projects of this scale. This essential fund protects the project from unforeseen challenges, such as material price fluctuations or unexpected structural issues, ensuring we can complete the work on schedule and within scope without the need for additional fundraising.

Our project plan is tiered to ensure the most critical needs are met first, no matter what we raise. Funds will be applied in this order of priority:

• $2.5M Raised: We will complete the secured entrance, lobby reconstruction, lobby bathrooms, and replace all windows.

• $3.15M Raised: In addition to the above, we will renovate all remaining bathrooms throughout the school.

• $4M Raised: This allows us to complete the entire vision, including the installation of the elevator.

No. This renovation will be funded entirely through the generous donations from our community during this capital campaign. Parish savings and the school's endowment are dedicated to ensuring the ongoing operational stability, financial health, and mission of our parish and school. To protect our day-to-day ministries and educational programs, these essential funds will not be used for this project. Your financial support is therefore vital. It represents new, dedicated investment that will build upon our strong foundation to create a more secure, accessible, and modern facility for generations to come, without impacting our current operations.

Completed Steps:

• Needs Assessment (April 2023): In response to the school shooting in Nashville, TN, we immediately conducted a thorough security reassessment. This confirmed the critical necessity for a secured main entrance, inspiring the broader vision for this project.

• Immediate Security Action (Fall 2024): Partnering with security experts from JP Cullen, we identified an interim solution. The School Auction successfully raised funds to install protective security film on all ground-level windows and doors, providing an essential layer of safety while we planned for a permanent solution.

• Comprehensive Planning (Winter 2024): This initial assessment grew into a full evaluation of our building's needs, confirming the requirements for new windows, ADA-compliant bathrooms, and an elevator.

• Construction Partnership (June 2025): We formally engaged JP Cullen as our general contractor, leveraging their specialized experience in building secure school entrances to ensure this project is done right.

• Diocesan Approval (September 2025): After careful review, Bishop Hying and his leadership team granted initial approval, officially greenlighting the project and our fundraising efforts.

Desired Timeline and Future Steps:

• Quiet Phase of Fundraising (October and November 2025): The initial phase of fundraising, known as the quiet phase, aims to secure significant contributions from key stakeholders and donors. This phase is crucial for building momentum and establishing a strong financial foundation.

• Community Engagement (Mid-October 2025): A comprehensive mailer will be distributed to parishioners and school families, inviting them to participate and contribute to this important project. This step is designed to foster community involvement and support.

• Completion of Fundraising (End of February 2026): The goal is to have all fundraising efforts finalized by February 2026. Achieving this milestone will ensure that the project remains on schedule and can proceed without financial hindrances.

• Construction Phase (Late May 2026): With funds in place, construction is set to begin in late spring or early summer of 2026. 

• Projected Move-In Date (Early September 2026): The anticipated completion of construction and subsequent move-in is targeted for early fall of 2026. This timeline allows for any potential delays and ensures a smooth transition into the new space.

The film applied in 2024 was a crucial interim step that provided enhanced security. Unfortunately, as those specific windows and entry points will be completely replaced, that film cannot be reused. However, new protective security film is included in the budget and will be applied to all new doors and ground-accessible windows.

No. The capital campaign covers only the construction and installation of the elevator. Ongoing operational costs are considered annual maintenance expenses.

• Annual Permit to Operate: ~$50

• Annual Inspection & Maintenance Contract: ~$3,500

• Repair Calls: Average between $550 - $1,000 per call

• These future costs will be factored into the annual operating budgets of the school and parish.

Our primary goal is to complete all substantial work — including the new secure entrance, lobby, offices, bathrooms, and windows — before the 2026-2027 school year begins. Major construction will commence immediately after the 2025-26 school year ends. While Waunakee Community School District (WCSD) 4K classes will still be in session for a brief period, their routines will be adjusted to ensure safety. The more complex elevator installation may continue into the early fall but will be managed to cause little to no disruption. To enable efficient progress, the building will be closed to all programs and events during summer 2026, meaning the annual Saint John’s Fest must be adapted for that year.

The project is being managed by general contractor JP Cullen, who will obtain multiple competitive bids from subcontractors. Further oversight is provided by a collaborative team including qualified parishioner advocates, parish trustees, the parish’s pastoral and finance councils, parish staff, and the Diocesan Building Commission. This multi-layered oversight ensures fiscal responsibility and alignment with diocesan standards.

The building project involves a collaborative effort. Parish trustees, members of the parish council and councils, parish staff, and a team of dedicated volunteers have assisted in shaping this effort. Guidance from the Bishop Hying’s leadership team and Diocesan Building Commission continues to assist us.

• To help us meet the magnitude of this project, we are asking donors to consider making a pledge payable over two “tax years.” This allows for more substantial gifts by spreading payments out. For a two-year pledge, to help keep the project on schedule, we ask for a partial payment by December 31, 2025, with the full balance paid by June 30, 2026.

  • We are flexible – For those considering a larger gift over a different time frame, we are happy to create a customized plan. Please contact us directly to discuss.

• Pledges can be fulfilled via check, credit card, or electronic transfer. To discuss non-cash gifts like stock, please contact Jackie Nerat (jnerat@saintmax.org or 849-5121, ex. 5005).

• Please consider the following important tax information: Starting in the 2026 tax year, a new provision may impact the deductibility of charitable contributions for those who itemize. The bill imposes a 0.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) floor on deductions under Section 70425. This means you must subtract 0.5% of your AGI from your total gifts before calculating your deduction. Given this change, it could be beneficial to accelerate your gifts before the end of the 2025 tax year to maximize your available charitable deductions. As always, we recommend consulting with your tax advisor to determine the best strategy for your individual circumstances.

Every single gift, no matter the size, is a vital building block for this project. This is a true community effort, and we succeed through the collective support of hundreds of school families, alumni, and parishioners. Think of it like the windows we are replacing: one window alone brings in light, but all of them together transform the entire building. Your participation is what will illuminate the future for our students.

To ensure we can meet our tiered funding goals and complete the most necessary parts of the project, we are unable to earmark donations for specific components. All gifts will be applied to the overall campaign fund and used where they are needed most to realize the full vision of this renovation. All funds raised will be kept and used exclusively for this school renovation project. If a specific funding tiere is not reached, the funds will be applied to the highest priority tiere we are able to complete. Furthermore, any funds raised in excess of our $4 million goal will be dedicated to the ongoing upkeep of these new improvements and the school building as a whole.

Yes, we believe in celebrating and thanking those who make this legacy project possible. All donors will be recognized in a dedicated commemorative display within the new school lobby, ensuring your generosity is remembered for generations.

Donors can extend their impact by praying for the project, sharing its vision with friends and family, inviting others to participate through gifts or pledges, and volunteering their time to become an advocate for the campaign. Your advocacy, encouragement, and prayer support help us move forward with unwavering confidence.

We are committed to transparency and keeping all stakeholders informed. Regular updates will be shared in the parish bulletin and on this campaign webpage. You can expect updates about fundraising progress, construction milestones, and timelines.