COLUSA, Calif. (MPG) — With just weeks left before the start of the school year, a second community meeting was held Wednesday, July 30, to discuss the formation of a new Christian private school in Colusa County. The gathering, hosted by the Ministerial Association of California Counties (MACC), follows the unexpected closure of Our Lady of Lourdes School earlier this summer.
Jason McMullan, executive director of MACC, led the discussion, providing updates on facility options, curriculum plans and enrollment interest. He emphasized that while the timeline is tight, there is a path forward if enough families commit.
“This isn’t just about filling the gap left by OLL,” McMullan said. “It’s about creating something sustainable—something built by and for the families in this community.”
So far, seven families have filled out the online interest form, most with children in transitional kindergarten through third grade. The school, if launched, would likely begin with small class sizes. McMullan said MACC has secured a tentative agreement with the Presbyterian Church in Colusa to use its facility as the school’s initial location. The site includes suitable classroom space and a backyard where a playground could be built within weeks.
MACC is also in talks to hire longtime educator Susan Hodges, a former OLL teacher widely respected by families. McMullan said Hodges’ involvement is a priority, regardless of enrollment numbers, citing her talent, passion and credibility.
“Even if we only have two or three students to start, we’re committed to moving forward,” he said.
Several educational models are being considered, including a traditional five-day school week, a hybrid two- or three-day program for homeschoolers, and a one-day-per-week co-op. Most families have expressed a preference for the full-time option, though MACC leaders say they are willing to be flexible in the first year.
Some parents at the meeting voiced concern about committing to an untested program so close to the start of school. Many have already enrolled their children elsewhere for the fall after scrambling to find alternatives following OLL’s sudden closure.
“We’ve all been hurt by how things ended,” one parent said. “It’s hard to fully commit when there’s still so much uncertainty.”
McMullan acknowledged the hesitation but stressed that parent involvement is essential to moving forward. He said legal requirements such as a business license and private school affidavit can be completed within days, and curriculum purchases can be expedited. Tuition would remain consistent with what families paid at OLL, and discounts will be available.
“This isn’t a top-down effort,” he said. “We need families to take that next step and help shape this school together.”
Enrollment interest forms are available on MACC’s Facebook page. The organization plans to reach out to families not in attendance and may announce a formal enrollment deadline in the coming days.
“We’ve been told ‘no’ before,” McMullan said. “But every time that happens, it just pushes us to keep going. This county deserves school choice, and we’re here to help make that happen.”
Editor’s Note: This article was published on August 8, 2025. The initial meeting took place on July 30. Please note that some information may have changed since the time of reporting.