SSFS Will Stay Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, we didn’t know school was in dire financial straits till a month ago. But 200 kids left in the last two years. Of course that resulted in worse financial straits g but they didn’t leave because of a debt they didn’t know about that started 25 years ago. The BOT owns all the financial problems. But families didn’t bolt because of that. The school simply wasn’t delivering. For each family it was something different maybe but it just means the school was under performing in different metrics families used to compare to regional schools in the same price bracket. That’s why the families left. The fact that the BOT had been slowly running the school financially under for (presumably) 25 years just means families didn’t even know how bad the school was even with money before they left.

This loss of students is what caused the current crisis at SSFS. The main source of revenue for the school comes from tuition. Ideally, school enrollment is constant, and it allows the school to plan the staff and other costs including the debt repayments. SSFS enrollment peaked at around 700 in the 2023-2024 school year. At the end of 2024 year, the school lost 100 kids (15%). Assuming around $30K per child that works out to a loss of $3 million. If the school had planned on this income, which I am sure they did, that was going to be a problem. Then enrollment dropped by another 100 (16%) for the next school year before the closing announcement which meant another $3 million loss in revenue.

Private schools depend on enrollment. If enrollment goes down significantly, it is going to cause financial issues. They will have to cut staff to make up for the short fall, which is exactly what happened at the end of the 2024 school year. This is a non-profit school, but the school still needs to make enough money to cover their costs.

Why did 100 students leave at the end of 2024? Nobody really knew of the financial issues at the school other than AC was broken in the PAC all year long and the tuition increases increased by much more than what was traditional seen.

Why did the school go from record enrollment with a large wait list to losing 200 students in two years? This mass exodus caused the financial situation to spiral out of control. In the end, this is a business, and it needs to attract customers to be successful. Family left the school and this is the result.

False information here. There was never a long waitlist. And you don't know what caused the school to close, which is why this thread even exists. The budget going into the start of school this year was balanced by budget cuts including layoffs. The difference between 2023 and 2024 was not 100 students, more like 75, and yes, that makes a difference. I attended several HOS forums in the past few years where school budget and finance were discussed, including long-term debts and repairs needed, so people who attended information sessions did know. Tuition increase was similar to those of other schools, also addressed at many parent forums. Tuition at SSFS below its peer schools even with increase. Also discussed at parent forums. If you don't know what happened, don't keep trying to guess or fill in the story.

I was at every parent forum, and no it was NOT where transperancy ever occurred.

School finances were discussed and what was known at the time about finances, including reasons for tuition increases, debt, and the need for increased fundraising, were discussed. Possibility of school closure was not discussed but also likely not known at that time. Clearly something happened this year (and maybe even this spring) that made that an urgent possibility.

So the whole premise has been the problems started decades ago and was on the brink. Now it’s “something happened just this year” that caused the school to shut down?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, we didn’t know school was in dire financial straits till a month ago. But 200 kids left in the last two years. Of course that resulted in worse financial straits g but they didn’t leave because of a debt they didn’t know about that started 25 years ago. The BOT owns all the financial problems. But families didn’t bolt because of that. The school simply wasn’t delivering. For each family it was something different maybe but it just means the school was under performing in different metrics families used to compare to regional schools in the same price bracket. That’s why the families left. The fact that the BOT had been slowly running the school financially under for (presumably) 25 years just means families didn’t even know how bad the school was even with money before they left.

This loss of students is what caused the current crisis at SSFS. The main source of revenue for the school comes from tuition. Ideally, school enrollment is constant, and it allows the school to plan the staff and other costs including the debt repayments. SSFS enrollment peaked at around 700 in the 2023-2024 school year. At the end of 2024 year, the school lost 100 kids (15%). Assuming around $30K per child that works out to a loss of $3 million. If the school had planned on this income, which I am sure they did, that was going to be a problem. Then enrollment dropped by another 100 (16%) for the next school year before the closing announcement which meant another $3 million loss in revenue.

Private schools depend on enrollment. If enrollment goes down significantly, it is going to cause financial issues. They will have to cut staff to make up for the short fall, which is exactly what happened at the end of the 2024 school year. This is a non-profit school, but the school still needs to make enough money to cover their costs.

Why did 100 students leave at the end of 2024? Nobody really knew of the financial issues at the school other than AC was broken in the PAC all year long and the tuition increases increased by much more than what was traditional seen.

Why did the school go from record enrollment with a large wait list to losing 200 students in two years? This mass exodus caused the financial situation to spiral out of control. In the end, this is a business, and it needs to attract customers to be successful. Family left the school and this is the result.

False information here. There was never a long waitlist. And you don't know what caused the school to close, which is why this thread even exists. The budget going into the start of school this year was balanced by budget cuts including layoffs. The difference between 2023 and 2024 was not 100 students, more like 75, and yes, that makes a difference. I attended several HOS forums in the past few years where school budget and finance were discussed, including long-term debts and repairs needed, so people who attended information sessions did know. Tuition increase was similar to those of other schools, also addressed at many parent forums. Tuition at SSFS below its peer schools even with increase. Also discussed at parent forums. If you don't know what happened, don't keep trying to guess or fill in the story.

I was at every parent forum, and no it was NOT where transperancy ever occurred.

School finances were discussed and what was known at the time about finances, including reasons for tuition increases, debt, and the need for increased fundraising, were discussed. Possibility of school closure was not discussed but also likely not known at that time. Clearly something happened this year (and maybe even this spring) that made that an urgent possibility.

So the whole premise has been the problems started decades ago and was on the brink. Now it’s “something happened just this year” that caused the school to shut down?

Yes. Both can be true.

[Anonymous]

And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, we didn’t know school was in dire financial straits till a month ago. But 200 kids left in the last two years. Of course that resulted in worse financial straits g but they didn’t leave because of a debt they didn’t know about that started 25 years ago. The BOT owns all the financial problems. But families didn’t bolt because of that. The school simply wasn’t delivering. For each family it was something different maybe but it just means the school was under performing in different metrics families used to compare to regional schools in the same price bracket. That’s why the families left. The fact that the BOT had been slowly running the school financially under for (presumably) 25 years just means families didn’t even know how bad the school was even with money before they left.

This loss of students is what caused the current crisis at SSFS. The main source of revenue for the school comes from tuition. Ideally, school enrollment is constant, and it allows the school to plan the staff and other costs including the debt repayments. SSFS enrollment peaked at around 700 in the 2023-2024 school year. At the end of 2024 year, the school lost 100 kids (15%). Assuming around $30K per child that works out to a loss of $3 million. If the school had planned on this income, which I am sure they did, that was going to be a problem. Then enrollment dropped by another 100 (16%) for the next school year before the closing announcement which meant another $3 million loss in revenue.

Private schools depend on enrollment. If enrollment goes down significantly, it is going to cause financial issues. They will have to cut staff to make up for the short fall, which is exactly what happened at the end of the 2024 school year. This is a non-profit school, but the school still needs to make enough money to cover their costs.

Why did 100 students leave at the end of 2024? Nobody really knew of the financial issues at the school other than AC was broken in the PAC all year long and the tuition increases increased by much more than what was traditional seen.

Why did the school go from record enrollment with a large wait list to losing 200 students in two years? This mass exodus caused the financial situation to spiral out of control. In the end, this is a business, and it needs to attract customers to be successful. Family left the school and this is the result.

False information here. There was never a long waitlist. And you don't know what caused the school to close, which is why this thread even exists. The budget going into the start of school this year was balanced by budget cuts including layoffs. The difference between 2023 and 2024 was not 100 students, more like 75, and yes, that makes a difference. I attended several HOS forums in the past few years where school budget and finance were discussed, including long-term debts and repairs needed, so people who attended information sessions did know. Tuition increase was similar to those of other schools, also addressed at many parent forums. Tuition at SSFS below its peer schools even with increase. Also discussed at parent forums. If you don't know what happened, don't keep trying to guess or fill in the story.

I was at every parent forum, and no it was NOT where transperancy ever occurred.

School finances were discussed and what was known at the time about finances, including reasons for tuition increases, debt, and the need for increased fundraising, were discussed. Possibility of school closure was not discussed but also likely not known at that time. Clearly something happened this year (and maybe even this spring) that made that an urgent possibility.

So the whole premise has been the problems started decades ago and was on the brink. Now it’s “something happened just this year” that caused the school to shut down?

Yes. Both can be true.

I agree. Given the timing and financial context, it appears the school may have faced an unexpected call on its loan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, we didn’t know school was in dire financial straits till a month ago. But 200 kids left in the last two years. Of course that resulted in worse financial straits g but they didn’t leave because of a debt they didn’t know about that started 25 years ago. The BOT owns all the financial problems. But families didn’t bolt because of that. The school simply wasn’t delivering. For each family it was something different maybe but it just means the school was under performing in different metrics families used to compare to regional schools in the same price bracket. That’s why the families left. The fact that the BOT had been slowly running the school financially under for (presumably) 25 years just means families didn’t even know how bad the school was even with money before they left.

This loss of students is what caused the current crisis at SSFS. The main source of revenue for the school comes from tuition. Ideally, school enrollment is constant, and it allows the school to plan the staff and other costs including the debt repayments. SSFS enrollment peaked at around 700 in the 2023-2024 school year. At the end of 2024 year, the school lost 100 kids (15%). Assuming around $30K per child that works out to a loss of $3 million. If the school had planned on this income, which I am sure they did, that was going to be a problem. Then enrollment dropped by another 100 (16%) for the next school year before the closing announcement which meant another $3 million loss in revenue.

Private schools depend on enrollment. If enrollment goes down significantly, it is going to cause financial issues. They will have to cut staff to make up for the short fall, which is exactly what happened at the end of the 2024 school year. This is a non-profit school, but the school still needs to make enough money to cover their costs.

Why did 100 students leave at the end of 2024? Nobody really knew of the financial issues at the school other than AC was broken in the PAC all year long and the tuition increases increased by much more than what was traditional seen.

Why did the school go from record enrollment with a large wait list to losing 200 students in two years? This mass exodus caused the financial situation to spiral out of control. In the end, this is a business, and it needs to attract customers to be successful. Family left the school and this is the result.

False information here. There was never a long waitlist. And you don't know what caused the school to close, which is why this thread even exists. The budget going into the start of school this year was balanced by budget cuts including layoffs. The difference between 2023 and 2024 was not 100 students, more like 75, and yes, that makes a difference. I attended several HOS forums in the past few years where school budget and finance were discussed, including long-term debts and repairs needed, so people who attended information sessions did know. Tuition increase was similar to those of other schools, also addressed at many parent forums. Tuition at SSFS below its peer schools even with increase. Also discussed at parent forums. If you don't know what happened, don't keep trying to guess or fill in the story.

I was at every parent forum, and no it was NOT where transperancy ever occurred.

School finances were discussed and what was known at the time about finances, including reasons for tuition increases, debt, and the need for increased fundraising, were discussed. Possibility of school closure was not discussed but also likely not known at that time. Clearly something happened this year (and maybe even this spring) that made that an urgent possibility.

So the whole premise has been the problems started decades ago and was on the brink. Now it’s “something happened just this year” that caused the school to shut down?

Yes. Both can be true.

I agree. Given the timing and financial context, it appears the school may have faced an unexpected call on its loan.

Unexpected? By who? 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Leadership and the BOT will have to give the best speech ever with real answers presented on Monday. I'm about to sign a contract for another school, but they are allowing me to wait until Tuesday morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Are you a current parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

You will be called a troll for implying something about others. But I for one am not comfortable doing that and will go to a different school next year. People are very trusting and that’s a big part of why the school has successfully hidden problems for so long. Fundamentally nothing has changed. Promises, often just reactionary information flows. Answers that are vague and fluff (as I read them). So fool me once….

I wish the school well. Maybe if their stranger with a blank check bails them out for a couple of years things will recover. But I can’t be part of that grand experiment. It’s just a school. There are plenty others for my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Leadership and the BOT will have to give the best speech ever with real answers presented on Monday. I'm about to sign a contract for another school, but they are allowing me to wait until Tuesday morning.

And as we know the BOT has been so truthful …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Are you a current parent?

I knew it!! You were going to be called a troll!! 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Leadership and the BOT will have to give the best speech ever with real answers presented on Monday. I'm about to sign a contract for another school, but they are allowing me to wait until Tuesday morning.

I for one, don’t plan to be swayed by any speech even if it’s the best in history. Besides I knew a guy who gave amazing speeches, about possums, Dorothy and Beyoncé. So I’ve got no time for speeches.

But cold hard facts and numbers, presented with provable documentation. I’ll listen to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Leadership and the BOT will have to give the best speech ever with real answers presented on Monday. I'm about to sign a contract for another school, but they are allowing me to wait until Tuesday morning.

I for one, don’t plan to be swayed by any speech even if it’s the best in history. Besides I knew a guy who gave amazing speeches, about possums, Dorothy and Beyoncé. So I’ve got no time for speeches.

But cold hard facts and numbers, presented with provable documentation. I’ll listen to that.

Yes, real answers and transparency. I'm not going to be swayed by toxic positivity.

I'm not holding my breath though. I'm only entertaining Monday because my kid is sad and wants what they had earlier this semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Leadership and the BOT will have to give the best speech ever with real answers presented on Monday. I'm about to sign a contract for another school, but they are allowing me to wait until Tuesday morning.

I for one, don’t plan to be swayed by any speech even if it’s the best in history. Besides I knew a guy who gave amazing speeches, about possums, Dorothy and Beyoncé. So I’ve got no time for speeches.

But cold hard facts and numbers, presented with provable documentation. I’ll listen to that.

Yes, real answers and transparency. I'm not going to be swayed by toxic positivity.

I'm not holding my breath though. I'm only entertaining Monday because my kid is sad and wants what they had earlier this semester.

I’m using this whole fiasco to teach my kid the basics of ethics.
How do you treat people?
How should people treat you?
What might be legal yet not ethical?
How do you recognize red flags that someone is not telling the truth?
Why should we expect better from our employers or our peers?

And I have allayed fears by pointing out another school can be a great place and the people that matter (real friends) will never stop being so just because we’re going to a new school. It’s an opportunity to make new friends and keep the old ones.

That has worked for us cause my kid is happy to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Are you a current parent?

I knew it!! You were going to be called a troll!! 🤣

If I wanted to call this person a troll I would. I asked a question that as of yet has not been answered. I am continually alarmed at the lack of intellect by parents (and seemingly parents whose children go to the same school as my own) to be able to distinguish the difference between this: "And how can anyone send their child back there because of this, I don't get it" AND this: "I can't in good conscience send my child back there because of this."

This is not *just* a matter of semantics and pronouns. Words have meaning and intent behind them. I find the language on here both from those who are seemingly staying and those who are leaving or have already left to be covertly judgemental and inflammatory. And again, I'm alarmed at the lack of intellect to see the difference. Whether you're responding by calling people trolls or accusing folks of toxic positivity or complaining that people are too negative/pessimistic or want the school to fail - you're all (both sides) guilty of the language you're using and that kind of covertly judgemental and inflammatory language is doing nothing to solve problems. And it does nothing for those of us who are here because we actually want to hear a variety of personal perspectives about how their families are thinking about SSFS and what their personal experience has been.