Although half a world away, the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) brought many profound changes, not only within the universal Catholic Church, but even to the local parish level, including Saint Michael Indian School.

For generations, Catholics felt secure in their complex of traditions and rituals, regardless of their cultural or ethnic backgrounds: fish on Friday, confession on Saturday, either Solemn High Mass or Low Mass (but always in Latin) on Sunday, lenten fasts and ashes, Ember Days, May processions, Forty Hours Devotion, novenas, nuns in black habits, scapulars, CYO basketball games and parish Feast Days.

Very few Catholics foresaw that by 1965 the structures of that secure world would be coming apart.

But even before Vatican II, changes were taking place, both within the network of schools established by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and at Saint Michael Indian School itself. However, most of these changes were motivated by financial problems, which just happened to arise at the same time that everyone was making spiritual adjustments to the new policies advocated by Vatican II.

Since the death of Mother Katharine Drexel in 1955, many sources of financial assistance for the schools were no longer accessible.

In 1946, after being able to provide a free education (as well as meals and dormitory facilities) for almost 44 years, the school began to ask for a voluntary tuition fee of $10 per student, per semester.

Almost all the changes that were now being made at the school required additional expenditures and, unfortunately, tuition adjustments became a major source of income.

By the mid-fifties the school was receiving its electricity from the rapidly-expanding Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. Although the power plant was now reduced to just providing hot water and heat for the school and laundry, the monthly electric bill became a major line item in the budget.

Changes were made in the food services as well. The vegetable gardens were no longer maintained, the dairy cows sold off, and once the hogs and chickens were butchered they were not replaced. As processed bread became available, even the bakery was reduced to just baking cinnamon rolls for special occasions. By now, all raw food products had to be purchased, and providing 300 meals, three times a day, also became a strain on the budget.

The buildings, too, were a matter of concern. The original buildings, some now sixty years old, needed renovations of their electrical, plumbing, and heating systems. Some of the newer buildings, primarily the high school annex, developed major problems such as leaky roofs and faulty heating systems,

Another major on-going expense centered on the purchase, maintenance, and upkeep of the cars, vans, and school buses that were so vital to the school's operation.

And there were major changes within the school system itself.

Through the end of World War II, most school classrooms, public as well as private, could get by with one textbook and some visual aids for the teacher. The main exceptions were the chemistry and science classes that required additional materials and equipment.

Now, in the late fifties and early sixties, when electric typewriters replaced manual typewriters, they, too, became obsolete. It was the age of computers, and every classroom had to have them. And, concurrently, the cost of textbooks began to climb.

Changing times also had its effect on teachers as well. In the late fifties there were five or six lay teachers within the faculty. By the sixties nearly a fourth of the faculty were not members of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

But perhaps the fastest growing expense was in an area not generally seen by the public - insurance. There was fire and property insurance on the buildings, liability insurance to cover sports-related or other accidents, vehicle insurance, health insurance for the non-Indian students and faculty, and workmen's compensation, to mention only a few.

And the tuition kept rising and rising…

Finally, some tough but unpopular decisions and changes had to be made. In the spring of 1966 the high school boys dormitory was shut down, which then eliminated most of the high school sports program. The following year the elementary boys dormitory was also closed.

The only boys remaining in the elementary grades were day students. Dormitory facilities continued to be available for girls in the fifth through twelfth grades.

But even these steps were not sufficient to balance the budget and stabilize the tuition fees. Throughout the seventies no new boarders were admitted. In 1981 the last of the girl boarding students graduated, bringing to a close a 79-year old tradition at Saint Michael Indian School.

The following year boys were re-admitted to the high school freshman class as day students. The policy continued on an annual basis so that boys could enter the sophomore class in 1983, the junior class in 1984, and the senior class in 1985.

Meanwhile, in January, 1973, a Saint Michael Parent Advisory Council was established. Its primary function was to assist in the formation and policies regarding personnel, curriculum, federal programs and other important administrative duties. It also served as a valuable liaison between the school, parents, and the community.

The first members of the Advisory Council were Dr. Samuel Billison, president; Joe Jaramillo, vice-president; Mrs. Lea Zorn, secretary-treasurer; and board members Miss Laurine Ruleau, Ben McCurtain, Ike Peacock, Edwardo Chavez and Mrs. Earlene Williams. Sister Margaret O'Donnell, principal of the high school, was the executive officer of the board.

Relieved of the financial burden and responsibilities of a boarding and meal program, and with the support now, of a community-based Advisory Board, the school could look forward to a brighter and more positive future.