It's been decided. Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) is permanently closing its doors.
In June, the board of directors announced it was pausing operations of the private school in Gretna. That led to a meeting with the school's society church delegates earlier this month where a motion to permanently close the school and liquidate all assets passed with a majority vote of 26-21 with four abstentions.
This decision ends a 136-year legacy of developing young peoples’ God-given gifts in an Anabaptist Christian setting
Funds from the liquidation will go to satisfying the school's debt obligations.
In an update to supporters, Board Chair Cody Falk said the organization still faces a considerable cash shortfall for the 24/25 school year that just wrapped up, and the primary focus now is to ensure staff salaries are covered along with the year's expenses.
"I want to recognize and thank the generous donors that have already responded to the call that went out several weeks ago. Since that notification went out, $140,000 has been received. So, thank you!"
The hope, added Falk, is that a farewell can be planned for students, staff, alumni and supporters sometime in the future, however paying the outstanding bills remains the current priority.