Newman Catholic Schools and Parish Councils Affirm Commitment to Future of St. Mark and St. Therese Communities

While many schools across Wisconsin face the difficult realities of consolidation and closure, Newman Catholic Schools (NCS) is moving in the opposite direction. The Wausau-based Catholic school system, alongside parish leadership, is reaffirming its commitment to keeping both the Newman Catholic Elementary School: St. Mark (NCES: St. Mark) and Newman Catholic Early Childhood Center: St. Therese (NCECC: St. Therese) buildings open and active as parish councils move forward with addressing long-term facility needs and preserving the communities for future generations.

The announcement follows four months of building studies and community discussion surrounding the future of the two buildings. Earlier conversations between January and April 2026 included the possibility of relocating the NCES: St. Mark community into the NCECC: St. Therese building due to aging infrastructure, maintenance costs, and long-term sustainability.

Last week, families, staff, parishioners, diocesan leadership and supporters from across NCS and the Wausau Deanery gathered for a community meeting to review the findings of the building studies. The studies identified long-term facility needs involving infrastructure, accessibility, maintenance, and overall building sustainability. Following the meeting, parish councils expressed a strong and unified commitment to preserving both communities, addressing priority building needs and maintaining both buildings as active parts of the NCS community moving forward.

At a time when many communities across Wisconsin are losing schools and churches, leaders say the response surrounding NCES: St. Mark and NCECC: St. Therese has shown that families throughout the Wausau area are still willing to fight for the bright future of Catholic education and parish life.

“I’m excited to welcome our students and families back this fall as we continue building on the strong foundation of faith, community and belonging that exists throughout Newman Catholic Schools,” said Jeff Gulan, President of NCS. “The support shown throughout this process has been incredibly encouraging and reflects the commitment so many people have to preserving and strengthening Catholic education in Wausau for future generations.”

Parish councils have already begun addressing facility needs identified within the building studies and are committed to addressing priority repairs and long-term building sustainability efforts moving forward.

Leadership across NCS, parish communities, and the Wausau Deanery say the process has reinforced the importance of collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility throughout the Catholic community.

“Above all, we are one Newman Catholic system, one Wausau Deanery, and one Catholic community,” said Gulan. “The future of these communities depends on all of us continuing to show up, support one another, and work together toward a stronger and brighter future.”