Gift prompts St. John Neumann Middle School expansion plans
St. John Neumann Catholic Church and School recently received a gift to build a middle school expansion.
This expansion will include state-of-the-art educational spaces and resources for current students and will accommodate the school’s growing student population, according to an SJN press release.
Additionally, the new expansion will provide space for parish youth and adult ministries to use.
“The donor, Lydia Melli, has always been passionate about the lasting impact education can make on one’s life, as it did for her,” the press release stated. “In 2022, Lydia initiated a conversation with St. John Neumann Catholic School leadership staff about how she could support students and teachers.
“This led to an endowment she established to provide student tuition assistance, as well as resources for teachers’ salaries and professional development,” the release further stated. “In recognition of this endowment, the school leadership suite was named in honor of Lydia’s husband, Claude, who passed away in 2021.”
“Lydia’s previous contributions to our parish and school will make a lifelong impact on our students, teachers and parishioners,” said Father Joe Reed, pastor of St. John Neumann Catholic Church and School. “This new gift from Lydia is truly awe-inspiring.
“Lydia and Claude have established a remarkable legacy of sacrificial giving, service to others and a commitment to the mission of our school and parish,” he added. “I can’t overstate our gratitude for the Melli (family) generosity and the countless blessings this middle school expansion will bestow on generations of St. John Neumann students and parishioners.”
The 6,000 square-foot academic expansion will involve the creation of innovative learning spaces, which accommodate evolving education needs, according to the press release.
“It will include a state-of-the-art classroom, collaborative study areas, a research STEM lab and student gathering spaces,” the release further stated. “The expansion will seamlessly integrate with the existing campus architecture while embracing sustainable and energy-efficient design principles.
“Ultimately, the expansion aims to enhance the overall educational experience, foster a dynamic learning environment for students and faculty, as well as create flexible spaces for parish youth and adult ministries and student before-and-after care.”
“Most importantly, thanks to the Mellis’ generous gift, the expansion will be built without the parish and school taking on any debt,” the release also stated.
Community Tectonics is the architecture firm assigned to the expansion. Paola Martinez, a St. John Neumann parishioner and school parent, is serving as lead architect.
