SSFS Will Stay Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is needed is an enrollment forecast and budget that is realistic and the math adds up. Not a wish list of things that people want. See the difference?

This reads to me like you don't think this kind of work is going on behind the scenes? The new Board (some of whom are being chosen today) and financial team are either already working on that, or will work on it starting Friday after all the contracts come back. Last night the Board mentioned an audit that will be published soon. The admissions team are currently reaching out to undecided families and asking what factors/info they would need, which should give a glimpse into recruitment needs for next year.

From what I see, every question that's been asked here has also been presented to the Coalition, who have lawyers and nonprofit management types advising them. Again, they aren't just flying by the seat of their pants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of the "we are staying" crowd just don't get it. For me as an undecided - I am ANGRY that I am even in this position. So all this talk about a way forward and how hard people are working just doesn't do it for me - not yet anyway. I'm angry because I do/did love this school. Our family has stayed and hoped the school would do better over the last few years as more and more people left. Asking me to trust and be hopeful and get excited about some potential renaissance just doesn't cut it. The BOT betrayed us. Period! The school experience next year will NOT be the same. Period! Yet, the tuition will be. Period! That meeting last night did NOT go far enough to APOLOGIZE for what this school has done to families like ours who did stick it out. Resignations or Removals are needed. Otherwise, we leave. Clock is ticking.

+1000 Waiting for that promised email today. Looking for resignations or removals before we make our final decision.

We made our decision immediately after the call last night. We are leaving, it’s been so stressful and traumatic for our kid and family. We need to be able to send our kid to school knowing the school has solid plans to get their act together. A lot of promises that were promised last year never happened. I have a full time job already. Staying in the community will be like having a second job to make sure things get done. I don’t have time for that as a working parent. There are plenty of other good schools out there and maybe we will be back in a couple years but too risky to stay right now. We need as much stability as possible in this political climate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is needed is an enrollment forecast and budget that is realistic and the math adds up. Not a wish list of things that people want. See the difference?

This reads to me like you don't think this kind of work is going on behind the scenes? The new Board (some of whom are being chosen today) and financial team are either already working on that, or will work on it starting Friday after all the contracts come back. Last night the Board mentioned an audit that will be published soon. The admissions team are currently reaching out to undecided families and asking what factors/info they would need, which should give a glimpse into recruitment needs for next year.

From what I see, every question that's been asked here has also been presented to the Coalition, who have lawyers and nonprofit management types advising them. Again, they aren't just flying by the seat of their pants.

I'm sure they are working on it, but I don't see how the school can deliver enrollment increases, debt payoff, teacher retention, and strong academics, sports, and arts, in its current financial straits. Those things cost money! It's lovely that everyone supposedly agrees on your wish list (do they, though?), but I don't see how the math can work out. The debt is too big, the infrastructure too costly, the reputation too damaged to recruit without massive FA offers, which the school cannot afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

What problems aren't been seen accurately? It feels to me like everyone is in the same page about what is needed over the next couple years (aggressive recruitment, paying off debts, teacher retention, making sure there are still plenty of academics and arts and athletics offered).

They know the problems. In fact they have known the problems for years. The issue is they don’t have the right people in place to fix them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

What problems aren't been seen accurately? It feels to me like everyone is in the same page about what is needed over the next couple years (aggressive recruitment, paying off debts, teacher retention, making sure there are still plenty of academics and arts and athletics offered).

They know the problems. In fact they have known the problems for years. The issue is they don’t have the right people in place to fix them.

Oh, "making sure"! How about paying for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I don't see how the math can work out.

With the $15+ million that the Coalition is collecting now, and is being backed by an angel donor (named on the Zoom last night) in case some of the pledges don't come through. Why do so many choose to ignore this explanation whenever it is presented?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

What problems aren't been seen accurately? It feels to me like everyone is in the same page about what is needed over the next couple years (aggressive recruitment, paying off debts, teacher retention, making sure there are still plenty of academics and arts and athletics offered).

What is needed is an enrollment forecast and budget that is realistic and the math adds up. Not a wish list of things that people want. See the difference?

Actually all of these things are important. And we are committing to being a part of making sure they happen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I don't see how the math can work out.

With the $15+ million that the Coalition is collecting now, and is being backed by an angel donor (named on the Zoom last night) in case some of the pledges don't come through. Why do so many choose to ignore this explanation whenever it is presented?

Because I think $15m isn't going to be enough, the financial hole is deeper than that. And because the payment rate on pledges is not going to be 100%. Pledges never are.

It would be foolish to count on keeping all currently committed students through the summer. People will get waitlist offers from other schools. And I think enrollment for school year 26-27 may be even worse. Then what happens? Angel money is dwindling fast, parents are fewer in number and financially tapped out. Then what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of the "we are staying" crowd just don't get it. For me as an undecided - I am ANGRY that I am even in this position. So all this talk about a way forward and how hard people are working just doesn't do it for me - not yet anyway. I'm angry because I do/did love this school. Our family has stayed and hoped the school would do better over the last few years as more and more people left. Asking me to trust and be hopeful and get excited about some potential renaissance just doesn't cut it. The BOT betrayed us. Period! The school experience next year will NOT be the same. Period! Yet, the tuition will be. Period! That meeting last night did NOT go far enough to APOLOGIZE for what this school has done to families like ours who did stick it out. Resignations or Removals are needed. Otherwise, we leave. Clock is ticking.

+1000 Waiting for that promised email today. Looking for resignations or removals before we make our final decision.

We made our decision immediately after the call last night. We are leaving, it’s been so stressful and traumatic for our kid and family. We need to be able to send our kid to school knowing the school has solid plans to get their act together. A lot of promises that were promised last year never happened. I have a full time job already. Staying in the community will be like having a second job to make sure things get done. I don’t have time for that as a working parent. There are plenty of other good schools out there and maybe we will be back in a couple years but too risky to stay right now. We need as much stability as possible in this political climate.

Totally understood and valid. Good luck at your new school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

100% agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

100% agree with this.[/quot

FWIW, I think you're making a lot of unfair assumptions about people who are deciding to stay. Not everyone who has decided to stay is a "Pollyanna". We arent actually dumb. And many of us are lawyers and financial advisors and auditors and the like and yes we see the problems clearly and yes we want the answers and yes we also want to stay. That's okay right? You get to make your choice and we get to make ours. Calling us names or making us seem clueless is not fair. If you are unsatisfied with the answers you have been given and do not trust in the process then don't send your kid back. It's as easy as that. Ultimately my hope is that everyone lands where they should, the dust can settle, and those that stay can help rebuild. One of my favorite stories about Sandy Spring is that when they first decided to create the school the high schoolers physically built the first building, brick by brick. This will be a similar process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

100% agree with this.[/quot

FWIW, I think you're making a lot of unfair assumptions about people who are deciding to stay. Not everyone who has decided to stay is a "Pollyanna". We arent actually dumb. And many of us are lawyers and financial advisors and auditors and the like and yes we see the problems clearly and yes we want the answers and yes we also want to stay. That's okay right? You get to make your choice and we get to make ours. Calling us names or making us seem clueless is not fair. If you are unsatisfied with the answers you have been given and do not trust in the process then don't send your kid back. It's as easy as that. Ultimately my hope is that everyone lands where they should, the dust can settle, and those that stay can help rebuild. One of my favorite stories about Sandy Spring is that when they first decided to create the school the high schoolers physically built the first building, brick by brick. This will be a similar process.

Paging building inspector... That's terrifying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

What problems aren't been seen accurately? It feels to me like everyone is in the same page about what is needed over the next couple years (aggressive recruitment, paying off debts, teacher retention, making sure there are still plenty of academics and arts and athletics offered).

They know the problems. In fact they have known the problems for years. The issue is they don’t have the right people in place to fix them.

+1000 Still undecided family here. I echo the call that more board members need to resign or be removed. That is the only way our family will feel somewhat secure that history won't repeat. Waiting for the results of tonight's BOT meeting to decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

100% agree with this.

FWIW, I think you're making a lot of unfair assumptions about people who are deciding to stay. Not everyone who has decided to stay is a "Pollyanna". We arent actually dumb. And many of us are lawyers and financial advisors and auditors and the like and yes we see the problems clearly and yes we want the answers and yes we also want to stay. That's okay right? You get to make your choice and we get to make ours. Calling us names or making us seem clueless is not fair. If you are unsatisfied with the answers you have been given and do not trust in the process then don't send your kid back. It's as easy as that. Ultimately my hope is that everyone lands where they should, the dust can settle, and those that stay can help rebuild. One of my favorite stories about Sandy Spring is that when they first decided to create the school the high schoolers physically built the first building, brick by brick. This will be a similar process.

The high school building that is half-empty and that you couldn't afford in the first place? Awesome.

Yes it's fine if you want to stay. Go for it. I just don't see how the math works out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:
Dude PP said 232 kids think SSFS is magical. Not true!

What does it matter to you if it's 232 or 2? Every family has their personal reasons for staying at least one more year. What do you get by nitpicking? Every time new info comes from the Board or Coalition, every time a poster here expresses hope, so many rush to poke holes in it. Leave those who are staying alone and let the school's legal, finance, admissions teams sort it out.

Then don't come here. Stay on slack where everything is magical. As someone who has just 48 hours left to make my decision I feel I've been pushed to this dreadful forum rather than slack because I want to hear reality. I want to hear the holes that people are pushing into what I find to be overly hopeful. I can't make this decision from slack alone where everyone comes to celebrate and announce #why-we-are-staying. HOw about a channel for #why-we-are-leaving or a channel for #why-we-are-unsure.

Seriously, go back to slack and stop complaining that we are deflating you.

If you want to hear reality, DCUM is not your friend, on this topic or anything else. Be a big kid and make your decision. I am not at the school but seriously people, enough with dominating this forum.

Right, so you're not at the school but following along and felt the need to police/parent those here. That's all we need to know about you.

Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

Hahahaha. No respectable school administrator would be following DCUM ...during the school day I might add. Buh bye!

Wow I’m not the poster but you’re really something. Are you a parent that makes ssfs that magical place it is?