BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--In a letter to parents, Archbishop John F. Donoghue announced that the Archdiocese of Atlanta has sold the assets of the Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan School to the Donnellan School, Inc. this June.

Two priests from the Legionaries of Christ will serve as officers of the Donnellan School, Inc.

The purchase price, just over $8.5 million, covers the amount of indebtedness by the Donnellan School to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Approximately $1 million was paid at closing and the remaining $7.5 million was assumed as a loan from the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Archbishop Donoghue states in his letter that the school was originally established as an independent Catholic school, separate from the archdiocesan school system. However, the property itself belonged to the archdiocese.

The land and physical plant were purchased from the Atlanta International School Dec. 12, 1994. The reported cost of the property at the time was $3.4 million.

“Your board has recently raised sufficient funds to allow the school to purchase its property from the archdiocese,” wrote the archbishop in a June 14 letter to parents whose children attend the Donnellan School. “The purchase was accomplished by the remittance of a sizable payment on the amount originally borrowed, and the assumption of the remaining amount of a note to the archdiocese by the school.”

According to Msgr. Peter Dora, vicar general, the Archdiocese of Atlanta will serve as lender for the note which is partially secured by the land and buildings on the property.

“The start-up costs were more than what the board had initially anticipated,” said Msgr. Dora. “If the school can continue to meet their enrollment projections they can be financially self-sufficient.”

Officers of the Donnellan School Inc., include Msgr. Edward Dillon, pastor of Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta, Father John Hopkins, LC, campus minister at St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, and Father Anthony Bannon, LC, national director of the Legionaries of Christ. The board of trustees of the Donnellan School will continue to serve the officers of the newly established corporation.

At the request of the Donnellan School board of trustees, the Legionaries of Christ will provide spiritual direction and pastoral care for the private, independent Catholic school which serves students in grades K-8.

“The Legionaries represent excellence in education, as can be seen by their efforts and dedication at both St. Pius X High School and Pinecrest Academy,” Archbishop Donoghue said. “I look forward to their presence at the Donnellan School and the care they will provide for the Catholic character of this treasured institution.”

A priest from the Legionaries of Christ will serve as chaplain of the school to meet the spiritual needs of the students, faculty and staff.

“I am so excited that the Legionaries of Christ are going to be able to work with members of the Donnellan School community,” said Father Hopkins, director of the apostolate for the Legionaries of Christ, Atlanta. “I have personally had the opportunity to meet the members of the faculty and staff and have been very impressed with their dedication in teaching the Catholic faith and the service that they continue to provide for the students and families at the Donnellan School. It is exciting to become a part of such a great team.”

In addition to the chaplain, Msgr. Dillon will continue to support the spiritual life of the school.

“It will be a wonderful opportunity to have a chaplain available to students and faculty on a daily basis,” Msgr. Dillon said. “That is something that most of the Catholic grade schools in the archdiocese aren’t able to offer.”

Angela Naples, who was named principal of the school this year, will continue to serve as principal of the middle and lower schools.

The Donnellan School, located at 4820 Long Island Drive in Sandy Springs, was established as a private, independent Catholic school in 1996.

With the study of the Catholic faith integrated throughout the curriculum, the Donnellan School offers classes in reading, language arts, science, social studies and mathematics. In addition the school has a fine arts program, which includes classes in art, music, foreign cultures, a computer lab, a guidance program and physical education classes.

Currently the school, which for the first time will have an enrollment of over 300, serves students in grades K-8 and has a low teacher/student ratio of 10-1.

“The fact that our enrollment continues to grow in the midst of the archdiocese opening three new grade schools next year is a very positive sign,” Msgr. Dillon said.

The school will continue to operate on a cost of education basis, that is, tuition covers the actual cost of educating a child. Parishes are not responsible for subsidizing the school. Tuition for the 1999-2000 school year is $7,420. For information call (404) 255-0900.