Austin Catholic Schools is launching a study to determine if the community would support $3.5 million in additions and enhancements.

Officials unveiled their plans for a four-point feasibility study during a press conference Tuesday at Pacelli High School.

Faye Bollingberg, of the Austin Catholic Schools Foundation Board, called the study a “road map for long-range planning.”

“We believe that the entire Austin community benefits from having faith-based education in town,” said Randy Kramer, foundation board member. “We can measure test scores … but we can’t measure moral fiber. We have proof that 97 percent of our kids go on to college.”

ACS has 205 students at Austin Catholic Elementary (pre-K-5) and 141 in Pacelli Middle and High Schools; 20 percent of those students are non-Catholic. Board members said this shows an interest in the community about parochial education.

Staff and the foundation board completed a two-year self-evaluation of Catholic education to determine what improvements would benefit students, staff, parents and businesses the best. Proposed projects include:

Enhance educational, cultural and vocational education — technology upgrades; primary and secondary library and media improvements; science lab upgrades; and music education improvements

Student and staff enrichment — more curriculum opportunities; students scholarships; staff support and student enrichment; and athletic program enhancements

Facility improvements — energy efficiency upgrades; cafeteria upgrades; primary asbestos abatement; and security upgrades

Long-range planning — increasing endowment

Officials would not release the specifics of each project or estimated costs of each proposal. Six informational meetings are scheduled — at 7 p.m. Oct. 6, 8, 14, 19, 22 and 27 in the Pacelli library — to gauge the community’s interest in their plans.

Informational meetings

7 p.m. Oct. 6, 8, 14, 19, 22 and 27

Pacelli High School library

Father Dale Tupper, of the foundation board, said the study is “an opportunity for us” that “can’t do anything other than offer blessings to this community. We have come a long ways as a school system.

“The population of Austin is changing, and we need to find ways to bring Hispanic children into our school,” Tupper said.

He said it’s been about 25 years since ACS’s last capital campaign.

Director Mary Holtorf said Minnesota has “one of the highest literacy rates in the nation.”

“For several years, Pacelli students have consistently scored above state and national levels,” she explained, adding that Pacelli students are ranked in the top 20 percent in the United States.

“We think now is a good time,” Holtorf said of their study.