SSFS Will Stay Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious, if anyone is going to leave anyway – teachers or students?

I'm sure some will, but I know we're staying. My 11th grader is absolutely thrilled to be able to graduate with his class!

That’s really wonderful for him and a huge relief.

[Anonymous]

That's great news! Especially for the freshman through junior classes!

Are families who put in applications elsewhere withdrawing their applications/acceptances to stay at SSFS or deciding to stick with their new schools?

[Anonymous]

From what I've heard, parents are supporting this for one year and one year only. Everyone is going to send their kid someone new the following year, it's just too late to find a school now for next year so they're funding one more year. Then the school is toast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I've heard, parents are supporting this for one year and one year only. Everyone is going to send their kid someone new the following year, it's just too late to find a school now for next year so they're funding one more year. Then the school is toast.

That’s not what I’m hearing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's great news! Especially for the freshman through junior classes!

Are families who put in applications elsewhere withdrawing their applications/acceptances to stay at SSFS or deciding to stick with their new schools?

If I had a incoming freshman I would look elsewhere. The class of '29 doesn't appear to have a guaranteed senior year on campus.

[Anonymous]

I’m curious what the true enrollment will look like. Their website is full of misinformation anyway, but to say they have 615 students is absolutely untrue. Not even close. I wonder if they’ll have half of that next year?

[Anonymous]

With a lower enrollment, staff should be ready for more layoffs, as well. It’s hardly sunshine and roses. I get that people want to act like this is amazing news, and I’m happy they have delayed the closure, but there are huge bumps in the road ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I've heard, parents are supporting this for one year and one year only. Everyone is going to send their kid someone new the following year, it's just too late to find a school now for next year so they're funding one more year. Then the school is toast.

That makes the most sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just delaying the inevitable unless they address the failure of leadership

They're going to. That's literally what "a path forward" and "more work will be needed" means.

I do expect the school to be a lot smaller the next couple years. But there are plenty of private schools with 200-odd students. They're working with lots of people in the world of Quaker school leadership.

So, so happy at this outcome and most happy for the upper school students who will get to stay and graduate in their community!

But are their plenty that can afford the real estate, buildings, and debt service of a 600-kid school? Because that's what SSFS has to do.

The coalition legal team are pretty sure that the debt will be restructured, and the $15m should cover that plus the school's operating deficit.

[Anonymous]

It’s clear that the current board will have to go. They handled this poorly, along with the last five years of managing the school. Get rid of them over the next two years. Every single one of

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just delaying the inevitable unless they address the failure of leadership

They're going to. That's literally what "a path forward" and "more work will be needed" means.

I do expect the school to be a lot smaller the next couple years. But there are plenty of private schools with 200-odd students. They're working with lots of people in the world of Quaker school leadership.

So, so happy at this outcome and most happy for the upper school students who will get to stay and graduate in their community!

But are their plenty that can afford the real estate, buildings, and debt service of a 600-kid school? Because that's what SSFS has to do.

The coalition legal team are pretty sure that the debt will be restructured, and the $15m should cover that plus the school's operating deficit.

So glad there is a plan and a path forward. The biggest hurdles are keeping staff, students, and earning trust. I'm pulling for SSFS - I hope that the positive in all of this, in addition to the community coming together, is the opportunity to rework the Board, financials, and assess what it can be in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s clear that the current board will have to go. They handled this poorly, along with the last five years of managing the school. Get rid of them over the next two years. Every single one of

Not two years - hopefully the whole board will be gone over the next few weeks. They all need to be replaced unless there is clear evidence that one of them tried to avoid this mess but was out voted by others.

[Anonymous]

SSFS Parent of High Schooler. They reported that the Board is not being asked to resign. That it was part of the negotiation. Not sure I believe this but that is what the student rumor mill is saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSFS Parent of High Schooler. They reported that the Board is not being asked to resign. That it was part of the negotiation. Not sure I believe this but that is what the student rumor mill is saying.

I wouldn't be surprised. Perhaps they will add more people to the board with finance and management expertise. I think it can have up to 30 members and there are only about 20 right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's great news! Especially for the freshman through junior classes!

Are families who put in applications elsewhere withdrawing their applications/acceptances to stay at SSFS or deciding to stick with their new schools?

If I had an incoming freshman I would look elsewhere. The class of '29 doesn't appear to have a guaranteed senior year on campus.

I would worry about this too, but maybe they are hoping that the difficulty of finding a new 9th grade placement now that the admissions cycle is over will lock those families in.