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FAQ's
Q: Why can’t the Church use money it has in the endowment to close the budget shortfall?
A: Saint Thomas has already used its unrestricted general endowment fund to balance the budget; the general fund has now been depleted to a critical point and the Church cannot continue to spend that money. All other endowment funds are restricted for particular purposes and, importantly, withdrawals are capped at 5% of the income.
Q: Why can’t the Vestry cut the church budget so that the school can remain open?
A: When taking into account the personnel and time needed in Finance, HR, Advancement, Communications, and even clergy to support the music program in its current form, over half of the operating budget is spent on music-making and educating choristers. The Vestry recently made significant cuts as it has done in previous years. However, the size of the deficit is such that the parish would effectively have to shut down all its ministry and worship in order to keep the school open.
Q. Will Saint Thomas abandon its commitment to traditional choral music?
A. The Vestry is 100% committed to excellence in its liturgy, music, preachings, and teaching. If anything, we want to strengthen that tradition. We recognize that the current music program with a residential choir school is unsustainable; that does not mean we are not committed to excellent music-making in the future, and we may need to find new ways of enabling children and professional musicians to participate and collaborate in our music program going forward. The kind of repertoire that the choir sings will not change.
Q. Can we make music differently?
A. A Task Force is looking at different educational models for our choristers. The Vestry has also encouraged the Task Force and Dr. Filsell to explore new ways of making music that not only involve professional musicians, but also open up our tradition to girls' voices while keeping a boys' choir.
Q. If there is no residential Choir School will the music be the same?
A. The Vestry is committed to using parish funds to ensure that we have excellent music going forward; but also to expand our outreach to local children - both boys and girls - so that many benefit from our musical tradition. The way that we make music may change, but the standard of our music making should not. The Vestry sees this not so much as a challenge but as an opportunity. Other great Anglican choral foundations have seen such necessity become a genuine mother of invention and renewal – sustainably.
Q. What will happen to the Choir of Men & Boys?
A. While we recognize the importance of exploring alternative models, we underscore the Vestry’s strong desire to sustain the tradition of the Choir of Men & Boys at St. Thomas. As we navigate the challenges of our budget deficit, we do with a deep reverence for the legacy and excellence embodied by our Choir. However, continuing to support this tradition will be dependent on a new model and a sustainable budget.
Q: Is the school closing?
A: We are committed to operating the current school model through June 2025. Meanwhile, the Sustainability Task Force will make recommendations to the Vestry. We are committed to the education and wellbeing of the students. If the school were to close, Saint Thomas will provide assistance to parents to ensure a smooth transition for our students.
Q. If the Choir School closes, does that mean that Saint Thomas will become like any other church?
A. No! The Vestry believes very strongly that we will never be 'just like other churches.' With our glorious building on 5th Avenue, open 365 days a year; with our beautiful and prayerful liturgy; with our strong tradition of gospel preaching and teaching; all supported by exquisite music, we will continue to fulfill our mission to 'worship, love, and serve Our Lord Jesus Christ through the Anglican Tradition and our unique choral heritage.'
Q. Why is the Choir School at risk of closing?
A. Because the income from invested funds and annual appeal is not enough to cover the operating budget. The Choir School alone costs $4 million to run, with 89% coming from parish funds. When we add the rest of the music program, and the resources needed from the Finance, Advancements, Communications, and HR departments, plus clergy time, we are now spending well over 50% of our operating budget on making music. Simply put, the money is running out and the Vestry must be responsible stewards of our parish funds.
Q. Surely $138 million is enough to pay for everything?
A. No it is not. Our operating budget is $14 million this year. We have already cut the budget by $800,000, canceled the choir tour to the UK that was to cost $250,000, and put off nearly $4 million of capital works to the Church and Choir School building. Even with those savings, we will have to overdraw from the general endowment fund. Most of our invested funds are restricted to particular uses and to a 5% draw. Putting it simply, the money is running out and the Vestry has a responsibility to take action now rather than see the general fund completely expended.
Q: When will the task force complete its work and the Vestry make a decision?
A: We plan to reach and announce a decision by October 2024 to ensure parents are sufficiently informed in advance of the 2025/26 school year.
Q: Will we receive updates of the work of the task force?
A: Yes, we plan to give regular updates on the work of the Task Force.
Q: If the school closes, what will happen to the students?
A: Saint Thomas is unwavering in our commitment to the education and wellbeing of the students and, of course, we will honor all of our contracts with parents, faculty and staff. If the school closes, we will provide assistance to parents and staff to ensure a smooth transition.
Q: Will there be a large increase in tuition to keep the school open?
A: We do not know what impact, if any, the decision will have on tuition rates until the Sustainability Task Force completes its work.
Q: Have enrollment numbers impacted this decision?
A: Even if the school were to operate at full capacity, we would still have an unsustainable budget shortfall.
Q: Have we explored a merger with another school?
A: The Sustainability Task Force is exploring that option as part of its work.
Q: Why can’t the Church use money it has in the endowment to close the budget shortfall?
A: Saint Thomas has already used its unrestricted general endowment fund to balance the budget; the general fund has now been depleted to a critical point and the Church cannot continue to spend that money. All other endowment funds are restricted for particular purposes and, importantly, withdrawals are capped at 5% of the income.
Q: If the school closes, what will happen to the faculty and staff?
A: Saint Thomas cares about the school staff and faculty. If the school closes, we will honor their contracts and provide assistance with their transition.
Q: What will it take to keep the school open and in what form?
A: We won’t be able to answer this question fully until the Sustainability Task Force completes its work. However, we do know that we would need to raise at least an additional $50 million in endowed funds or an extra $2.5 million in annual revenue to continue to operate the school in its current form. This extra revenue would need to be combined with substantial budget cuts to close the operating shortfall of $3-4 million per year.
Q: How can my child continue to be in the choir if the Choir of Men and Boys doesn’t continue?
A: The Vestry is still committed to excellence in liturgy and music and will always have a place for boys to sing in the choir.We won’t know exactly what that will look like until the Sustainability Task Force completes its work.
Q: If you change the educational model, will you continue the boarding model?
A: We won’t be able to answer this question until the Sustainability Task Force completes its work. However, we are committed to supporting parents and easing any necessary transitions.
Q: Who can I talk to if I have a question that is not answered here?
A: The Rector, the Wardens, the Members of the Vestry, the Head of School, and the Chair of the Choir School Board of the Board of Trustees are all available to answer questions.
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