COLUSA, CA (MPG) — In the wake of the unexpected closure of Our Lady of Lourdes School (OLL), more than two dozen community members gathered Tuesday July 22, to discuss the future of Christian education in Colusa County.
The meeting, hosted by the Ministerial Association of California Counties (MACC), focused on a bold proposal: opening a new Christian private school, possibly as early as this fall.
Jason McMullan, Executive Director of MACC, led the discussion and shared that while his organization had already been planning for a preschool and school in its long-term strategy, OLL’s closure accelerated those conversations.
“This is an unfortunate circumstance, but also an opportunity,” McMullan said. “We’re stepping in, not to reinvent the wheel, but to keep it turning. School choice shouldn’t vanish with the closure of one campus.”
Tuesday’s meeting wasn’t just a presentation, it was a listening session. Attendees, including parents, former OLL families, and local faith leaders, were asked to share their thoughts on curriculum, grade levels, tuition expectations, and how they might participate in the school’s development.
“We don’t want to build this in isolation,” McMullan said. “We want parents at the table helping make real decisions—from curriculum to class size to fundraising priorities. This is their school just as much as it’s ours.”
McMullan said MACC aims to preserve as much of OLL’s structure as possible. That includes reaching out to former teachers and administrators, maintaining elements of the previous curriculum, and possibly leasing the OLL school building, if it remains available.
“Our preference is to use the same site,” he said. “We’re already in conversations with church leadership, but if that’s not an option, we have a network of churches with classroom space. We’re not limited to one address.”
In addition to a traditional school model, MACC is exploring hybrid and satellite options to serve students in rural areas like Stonyford or Grimes, leveraging their experience in multi-site ministry.
McMullan assured families that MACC is financially prepared to support the launch. “We’ve already set aside funding and are prepared to take a loss in the first year if that’s what it takes to get this off the ground.”
Tuition is expected to be comparable to what OLL families paid, with scholarships and full tuition waivers available for those in need.
“We know cost is a factor,” said McMullan. “But it should never be the thing that prevents a child from getting a values-based education.”
He added, “We believe in a hand-up model, not just handouts. If parents are willing to put in effort, time, or partnership, we’ll find a way to meet them where they’re at.”
Some parents expressed concern about how quickly a school could launch—especially by fall 2025. But McMullan was confident, citing the organization’s track record of building programs under pressure.
“This won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible,” he said. “We’ve built entire outreach programs in less time. We have the staff, we have the administrative infrastructure, and now we’re building the will.”
MACC will host follow-up meetings and to help gauge community interest, McMullan has posted an online form where parents can share feedback, express their intent to enroll, and provide contact information for follow-up. The form is available at: https://forms.office.com/r/RTPeU8x5fa
“If we get six students, we’ll budget for six. If we get thirty-four, even better,” said McMullan. “But we won’t move forward unless the community is ready to walk with us.”
For updates on future meetings and progress, community members are encouraged to follow the Ministerial Association of Colusa County on Facebook.
About MACC: Founded in 2019, the Ministerial Association of California Counties is an ecumenical nonprofit representing Christian churches throughout Colusa County and beyond. The organization has grown significantly, now managing more than $9 million in annual revenue and operating programs across eight Northern California counties. MACC oversees multiple community initiatives including the Colusa Farmers Market, North Valley Food Bank distributions, Holiday Food Baskets, PneumaCare health services, and more.
Editor’s Note: This article was published on August 1, 2025. The initial meeting took place on July 22, with a follow-up scheduled for July 30. Please note that some information may have changed since the time of reporting.