La Salle Language Academy, one of the last public schools in Chicago to offer five languages to elementary students, will close its German program Dec. 15 unless additional money is found to keep it running.

The school currently needs $30,000 to operate the program through June and another $80,000 for the following school year.

"Many principals now have to be fundraisers because of the lack of funding from the State of Illinois," La Salle principal Elisabeth Heurtefeu said during Tuesday's Local School Council meeting.

Heurtefeu said she has already solicited approximately two hundred German-based businesses, in addition to the German Consulate. None, however, have agreed to sponsor the program.

Concern over funding for the German program was not the only topic being discussed at the LSC Meeting. The school is bidding for a grant from the Developing Awareness of World Needs Project.

If awarded, the grant would equip La Salle with six video conferencing class rooms by June, giving them access to other language institutions around the world. 

The next scheduled La Salle LSC meeting is Jan. 11^th at 8:30 a.m.

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