Luther North High School to stay open

Luther High School North won't likely be closing its doors next year after all, students learned Tuesday.

The news followed the school board's Monday vote to enter contract negotiations with three of four organizations - Chicago's New Life Church, Chicago Tabernacle Church, and Uno Charter School Network - all of which plan to buy the building in Chicago's Portage Park and have Luther rent it back.

While one organization remains a top choice, school officials declined to release its name, in case the deal falls through.

"At the end of the day, we've got enough good offers to say with pretty good confidence that we will be open next fall," said school board Chairman Dave Zielke, of Mount Prospect. The school's 210 students were informed of the news at a morning assembly.

"We told them let's be sure about one thing: The school's not just staying open next year. We're staying open for the long haul. Now the big work to be done will be what our sustainability plan will be. How will we market this, and what will the product look like so we can sustain ourselves," said Principal Tom Wiemann, also of Mount Prospect.

Zielke has said that sustainability plan includes marketing more heavily in the suburbs. Currently, his daughter Rebecca, a junior, is one of fewer than a dozen students who make the trek into the city.

Luther North, celebrating its centennial this year, had been attempting to raise $1.8 million by May 1, though as of Tuesday it still had more than $1 million remaining. With $1.3 million in debt, and a majority of students unable to pay the full $7,350 tuition, officials learned in late March that the school would be foreclosed upon if it couldn't pay off its loans by the end of the school year.

"We're breathing a little easier," Zielke said. "We're confident that whatever deal we do make will give us an opportunity to expand our mission."

Zielke said he hopes to have a contract in place by Friday.