By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Thomas More Prep Marian is discontinuing its dorm program next year.

Development Director Jeff Brull described the change as “unfortunate, but necessary, because the Catholic school can’t keep up financially with the maintenance needs of the high school boys and girls dorms.”

Instead, TMP is partnering with Nacel Open Door, a non-profit organization which places foreign students with American host families.

“We’re very fortunate in already having about 20 host families coming forward and saying they’ll host a student in their homes,” Brull said.

“We currently average between 50 and 60 boarders each year and we anticipate that might drop between 20 and 30 students.

“A lot of the kids have been at TMP for a year or two, and they love the school and the atmosphere, love the teachers, and they’ve decided they want to finish their schooling at TMP. Some of them have younger siblings who’ve said they also want to come to Hays and attend TMP.

“I think the issue is going to be not a lack of students interested in attending a host family school, but a need for more host families, and we do hope we’ll be getting a few more so we can maximize the number of students.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for both the students and the families–the best way to learn a new language and new culture is to live with a local family.”

The female TMP boarders were temporarily moved into the Hadley Center this fall after the girls dorm was found to have major electrical deficiencies.  Brull said that 10-month lease will not be renewed.

Anyone interested in becoming a host family for a TMP Marian student should contact Admissions Director Angie Roth at [email protected] or call (785)-625-6577.

Brull said financial compensation is available to families who meet the requirements.