The organization of Lutheran schools in Central Nebraska is getting an “exciting” shakeup as Heartland Lutheran High School will become Grand Island Lutheran High, among other changes.
The Trinity Lutheran Church council and congregation, as well as the delegates of Heartland Lutheran High School have all voted in favor of an acquisition of the high school by Trinity Lutheran.
“We are thrilled to be making this exciting announcement,” said Andy Rathe, current principal of Trinity Lutheran. “After a year of working with all the parties involved, we are ready to celebrate the future of Lutheran education under one umbrella.”
A new organization, Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools, has been formed and on July 1 will officially unite Trinity Lutheran School with the newly named Grand Island Lutheran High. Trinity will become a PreK-6 school and Lutheran High will be 7-12.
Officials say the main reason for this unification is to continue and strengthen Lutheran education in Central Nebraska. By combining Trinity Lutheran and the high school, for the first time there will be a full preschool through high school graduation Lutheran option in Grand Island.
“Many people didn’t realize Trinity and Heartland Lutheran were separate school organizations,” Rathe said. “Heartland Lutheran has had a wonderful 25 years serving the area. Trinity Lutheran has been around for more than 140 years. We’re looking forward to the next 140 years together as Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools.”
Heartland Lutheran will remain a school through the end of this school year. Starting in the fall, Grand Island Lutheran High will be the school’s name.
“We’re excited to present the Grand Island Lutheran High Lightning,” Rathe said. “We believe God is the ultimate source of light and power. That is reflected in the light and power of Lightning.”
All students currently enrolled will be able to stay in the school. Any students can reach out to either Trinity Lutheran or Heartland Lutheran to enroll for the fall.
As far as staffing goes, there will be changes coming. All the grade 7 and 8 staff from Trinity Lutheran will move to the high school location. There will be additional changes announced over the coming months.
Brad Keasling is the executive director of the Trinity Lutheran Foundation. He said there were a number of issues leading to this change, but ultimately it came down to ensuring Lutheran education had a strong future in Grand Island and the region.
“We knew Heartland Lutheran was long facing enrollment and financial struggles,” he said. “Trinity Lutheran leaders believe with a unified vision, fresh perspective and renewed passion, we can revitalize secondary Lutheran education.”
Keasling had great things to say about Heartland Lutheran.
“We are thankful to all who have been involved with Heartland Lutheran over their 25 years,” he said. “We are excited to bring them all into Trinity Lutheran as one united family going forward.”
He also stressed the Heartland Lutheran legacy does not disappear.
“We know there are many graduates and supporters of the Red Hornets, past and present,” Keasling said. “We hope they all know they will always be welcome in our schools.”
The annual Red & Blue Gala in support of Heartland Lutheran is scheduled for March 22. Keasling said he hopes the event will be an opportunity for those supporters to share in the excitement for the future of Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools.