SSFS Closing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Well, because tornados are external events and are not very predictable. The decline and failure of the school is due to internal management choices and was entirely predictable. That's where your analogy breaks down.

Would people continue to live in a town where the town government makes terrible policy choices until the town goes bankrupt? And then asks for lots of donations and wants people to pay taxes to live in a town of much diminished services and quality of life? That's a better analogy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Where were you the last 5-10 years when SSFS was traveling the road to insolvency? Because if this is a tornado it's the slowest-moving tornado ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an outsider, I wish you all much success in saving your school. In addition to the immediate cash, you need a great leader, with a new vision who will take bold and decisive steps to put the school on better footing. You need a completely new board of trustees and rules of governance, including 990s. The current board needs to hang their heads in shame. Your biggest challenge is convincing prospective families that this isn’t going to happen again. This sort of reminds me of the bailout of the American auto industry. The cash was the lifeline but came with serious strings attached to reform the industry, so it wouldn’t be a waste of money.

Yes the Coalition have been very clear they expect all of that before they hand over the money. "Our Coalition leaders have promised that we will not blindly hand over pledges with how things are currently done and without significant governance leadership changes at SSFS. We have not changed our position on that, nor will we change our position."

I have joined the Slack. I was skeptical but it seems they are really organized and have their act together. Fortunately this is Montgomery County so no shortage of lawyers, accountants, etc. who want to help. Also outreach teams who are going to meet with current families and teachers. They say they've recruited over 1,000 members total.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad they were able to pull it out. It sends a message to graduating seniors and other students that when people band together they can make big things happen.

I hope they'll require board turnover before hiring a new director / principal with vision to take leadership. I happen to know many excellent Quaker leaders and am confident that one would love to take on this challenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Well, because tornados are external events and are not very predictable. The decline and failure of the school is due to internal management choices and was entirely predictable. That's where your analogy breaks down.

Would people continue to live in a town where the town government makes terrible policy choices until the town goes bankrupt? And then asks for lots of donations and wants people to pay taxes to live in a town of much diminished services and quality of life? That's a better analogy.

Actually, yes! People continue to live in communities that have been poorly run, that have incompetent governance, that are in debt. Because a home and a community it worth something, and worth fixing. Heck, I know of a country that has elected a fascist and people don’t seem to be emigrating, they are organizing. Have you never cared enough about something to want to fix it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Well, because tornados are external events and are not very predictable. The decline and failure of the school is due to internal management choices and was entirely predictable. That's where your analogy breaks down.

Would people continue to live in a town where the town government makes terrible policy choices until the town goes bankrupt? And then asks for lots of donations and wants people to pay taxes to live in a town of much diminished services and quality of life? That's a better analogy.

Actually, yes! People continue to live in communities that have been poorly run, that have incompetent governance, that are in debt. Because a home and a community it worth something, and worth fixing. Heck, I know of a country that has elected a fascist and people don’t seem to be emigrating, they are organizing. Have you never cared enough about something to want to fix it?

Respectfully, equating this to a tornado or people living in poorly run communities because they have no choice is an unfair comparison. This is hard, but this is not life-threatening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they were able to pull it out. It sends a message to graduating seniors and other students that when people band together they can make big things happen.

I hope they'll require board turnover before hiring a new director / principal with vision to take leadership. I happen to know many excellent Quaker leaders and am confident that one would love to take on this challenge.

Pull what out? The pulling has yet to succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Well, because tornados are external events and are not very predictable. The decline and failure of the school is due to internal management choices and was entirely predictable. That's where your analogy breaks down.

Would people continue to live in a town where the town government makes terrible policy choices until the town goes bankrupt? And then asks for lots of donations and wants people to pay taxes to live in a town of much diminished services and quality of life? That's a better analogy.

Actually, yes! People continue to live in communities that have been poorly run, that have incompetent governance, that are in debt. Because a home and a community it worth something, and worth fixing. Heck, I know of a country that has elected a fascist and people don’t seem to be emigrating, they are organizing. Have you never cared enough about something to want to fix it?

I have, but I would have done something about it earlier before functional bankruptcy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they were able to pull it out. It sends a message to graduating seniors and other students that when people band together they can make big things happen.

I hope they'll require board turnover before hiring a new director / principal with vision to take leadership. I happen to know many excellent Quaker leaders and am confident that one would love to take on this challenge.

Pull what out? The pulling has yet to succeed.

They are on the right track, and the parents I've heard from sound confident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they were able to pull it out. It sends a message to graduating seniors and other students that when people band together they can make big things happen.

I hope they'll require board turnover before hiring a new director / principal with vision to take leadership. I happen to know many excellent Quaker leaders and am confident that one would love to take on this challenge.

Pull what out? The pulling has yet to succeed.

They are on the right track, and the parents I've heard from sound confident.

Awesome that's totally the same as having a financially stable and well-functioning school.

[Anonymous]

How quickly does all this have to happen? If the timing of the announcement was bad I not sure how long families can hold out with all the uncertainty. The detailed financials will tell most of the story - I as well would caution against potentially throwing money at this unless there is some magic bullet that many may be missing. If enrollment was a significant issue I am not sure how the school crawls out of that hole considering all the existing negative press.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coalition just announced that they’ve raised $15 million, every penny needed to keep the school open for the next three years. Sweeping governance changes will be required in order to receive the money.

I know current parents are wary and tired and skeptical - I am one, I get it - and I think if you want to take your child elsewhere you will go with all of our blessing and understanding. But I must say in this moment in time, this political environment, I am inspired by a group of people fiercely standing up for something they love. Cracked my cranky cynical heart right open and let in a little light. Regardless what eventually happens.

Agreed. I’m a current parent and my child was already applying out before the school announced the closure. SSFS has been a special place and while we will no longer have children there, I’ve signed on to be a part of the coalition because it’s an institution worth saving.

This is our situation as well. Our child will attend another independent school due to these issues over the last year - loss of HOS, all the division heads, and especially the number of families leaving. We were ok with the school being a little small but really feel like, for our child, a larger social pool will be necessary with stability of students and teachers. But supportive of the school and coalition and happy to give some $$ to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like law of supply and demand? Lower tuition a little and fill the classrooms a lot? And get families priced out of other schools who could pay $35k

If you could successfully run a school at $35,000 tuition you would see that happening elsewhere. SSFS couldn’t successfully run a school at $45,000 tuition. The other thing is the toothpaste is out of the tube. Meaning, the trust is broken. Nobody in their right mind is going to give tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, hoping things turn out OK.

Barrie seems to be doing quite fine. Maybe SSFS should take notes. Seems they will be getting a lot of SSFS families as well.

Barrie’s facilities are atrocious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like law of supply and demand? Lower tuition a little and fill the classrooms a lot? And get families priced out of other schools who could pay $35k

If you could successfully run a school at $35,000 tuition you would see that happening elsewhere. SSFS couldn’t successfully run a school at $45,000 tuition. The other thing is the toothpaste is out of the tube. Meaning, the trust is broken. Nobody in their right mind is going to give tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, hoping things turn out OK.

Barrie seems to be doing quite fine. Maybe SSFS should take notes. Seems they will be getting a lot of SSFS families as well.

Barrie’s facilities are atrocious.

Atrocious is a strong word. But at least they’re not $14 million in debt for a well gold building? I doubt ppl care about the looks, wasn’t that at least a lesson to take away from what happened to ssfs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Well, because tornados are external events and are not very predictable. The decline and failure of the school is due to internal management choices and was entirely predictable. That's where your analogy breaks down.

Would people continue to live in a town where the town government makes terrible policy choices until the town goes bankrupt? And then asks for lots of donations and wants people to pay taxes to live in a town of much diminished services and quality of life? That's a better analogy.

Actually, yes! People continue to live in communities that have been poorly run, that have incompetent governance, that are in debt. Because a home and a community it worth something, and worth fixing. Heck, I know of a country that has elected a fascist and people don’t seem to be emigrating, they are organizing. Have you never cared enough about something to want to fix it?

Respectfully, equating this to a tornado or people living in poorly run communities because they have no choice is an unfair comparison. This is hard, but this is not life-threatening.

True. It’s not the only school in the state.