Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 18 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Shelby Academy expected to close doors
Originally published 04:10 p.m., July 1, 2009
Updated 10:53 a.m., July 2, 2009
MONTEVALLO — Shelby Academy will close pending membership approval, according to the school's attorney Mitchell Spears.
The school's Board of Trustees plans to hold a membership meeting July 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the school's gymnasium.
"Due to financial setbacks attributable to declining enrollment, Shelby Academy has been forced to discontinue its operations," a letter from Spears said. "A meeting of its members will be held ... to consider dissolution of the corporation, satisfaction of its obligations and liabilities and distribution of its assets."
Board members did not believe the school could reopen with its current student numbers, which have decreased from 211 students in 2005 to 100 last August.
Board members gathered at a special board meeting Tuesday night after the school learned the previous week that its benefactor, whose name has not been disclosed, was no longer able to financially back the school's credit line, according to board member Cindy Wingard.
"We were left facing a payroll that could not be made and teachers that were due their checks the next day (July 1)," Wingard said. "We felt like we were obligated to make a decision and let the teachers know ... If we hadn't they would have found out today, if they were to come in to pick up a paycheck."
Phone calls were placed to the faculty Tuesday night. Letters are expected to be mailed to parents from the school's attorney Mitchell Spears of Montevallo. Wingard said the board will honor any 12-month contracts the school has with teachers. Efforts to reach Spears for comment on the situation were unsuccessful Wednesday.
Despite rumors circulating through the spring that the school would close, faculty had been assured that it had dodged a bullet this year. One of those who was hopeful for the future is basketball coach and alumnus Kevin Smith.
"Being an alumni and a coach, I hate to see it went as far south as it did. I thought we were in a good place," Smith said. "The money situation kind of came out from under us."
Before Tuesday, the school was preparing for the upcoming academic year with registration scheduled for Aug. 10. A horseshoe tournament was set for July 11 to help raise funds for the school but has now been canceled.
"There’s a lot of people being affected. There are a lot of people that this is just a bump in the road, and they’ll move along. There are some that are already gone who are probably glad to hear the news, but there are a lot of us who have been here for all of the right reasons, as far as the best education and the right opportunities for our kids. We’re the ones hurting through all of this," said Wingard, who was one of the school's first students when it opened in 1970 and returned to send her kids to school there.
While the word is official, Wingard's husband John, who serves as athletic booster club president, said he's not ready to accept it.
"As a parent I’m totally disappointed. I wish I had the funds to prop up the school myself, but I don’t. If I had them I’d do it," he said. "We’ve been here 11 years, and at this point in time, I haven’t given up that the doors won’t be open ... I wish I could find about 20 people who would be willing to pony up some money, and we’d continue on."
At the time of its closure, the school was searching for its fourth headmaster in four years. Former school headmaster Steve Zaslofsky, who aimed his efforts at increasing enrollment, passed away May 25, and Haygood said his passing was another blow for a school trying to rebuild.
Zaslofsky had hoped to increase the school's enrollment numbers to 165 by what would have been the school’s 40th anniversary in 2011. The school awarded diplomas to 14 seniors, its last graduating class, May 22.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by kriskno (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THE SCHOOL IS NOT CLOSED to do so requires a vote of the membership. There will be a meeting on July 14th for questions and a vote. If you are a member, please make every effort to attend.
Posted by glowworm (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The previous comment from kriskno is correct. To close the
school it will require a vote of the membership. Again,
there will be a meeting on July 14th for questions and a vote. Again, if you are a member please try to attend.
Posted by eaglesmom0926 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My Family does not attend Shelby Academy but I have always heard great things about the school. My advice to them would be to stand firm. If the vote has not happened yet, then get everyone involved and push hard. You may have had some rough times with the school and it may seem like the thing to do is to close it, but only God knows what is best and with Him, all things are possible.
Posted by tkdmom2 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Over the years, there have been numerous rumors of the school closing and it has struggled to remain open. As an alumnus of Shelby Academy, I hope that it will be able to survive. However, with today's economic situation, it sounds like this may be it.
Posted by lionmom10 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope lots of people show up to vote.I hate to see a school close and for there to be more teachers out of a job. The truth of the matter is you can vote till the cows come home but if there is no money there is nothing you can do to stop it.
Posted by northbibb (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As the previous post brings it up, what does it matter about a vote of members if there aren't enough funds to operate? The article mentions an anonymous benefactor, plus student tuitions and fees, I'm guessing... but can the school operate on a revenue source of tuition and fundraisers only? I hope they can work something out, because I have only heard good things about the school.
Posted by salover1 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know everybody dreads going to school and even I did. Untill I went for a "shadow day" at Shelby Academy. Right when I walked through the doors I knew I was immediately welcome there. The faculty, staff, and students were so friendly. I made friends the first day and was looking forward to going to school with them the next school year. Untill I heard the shocking news yesterday. I was actually mad. I just couldnt accept the fact that Shelby was closing. I mean I had planned on finishing out the rest of my school years at Shelby Academy. Shelby Academy made me want to go to school even more! My whole summer I had talked about school starting back just because I knew i was going to be starting at Shelby. Between being upset and crying yesterday after hearing the news I said to my mom "I will do anything to keep Shelby Academy going strong because it is the perfect school and the bad news has hurt alot of people." I know im only 13 but I really want to change somebody's mind on closing Shelby Academy. PLEASE ATTEND JULY 14TH!
-Kimmie
Posted by toomuchgreen (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If every family can commit to bring $50,000.00 we can turn this around. The other option is to go to Kingwood or home school. Bring money if you want to keep it open.
Posted by lionmom10 (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alot of Shelby's kids live in Columbiana. Another option is Cornerstone. Both Kingwood and Cornerstone are good schools. $50,000 is alot of money in this economy. People are not donating or spending that kind of money on anything. I believe both KCS and CCS have a lower enrollment than usual as well.
Posted by kriskno (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know where the sum of 50k came from but it is not accurate. Please plan to attend the meeting on July 14th.
Posted by proration (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is the membership, I have a child that graduated from SA in 2007. I would like to attend but do not know if I am able to.
Posted by kriskno (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Parents, Staff, Alumni and Friends of Shelby Academy - We need to fill the gym on July 14th to hear the plans for keeping Shelby open. With your help we can make it happen. The meeting starts at 6:30pm. If you are not already a member please be prepared to pay the $100 membership fee so your vote will count.
Posted by toomuchgreen (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how much money are we talking about? Will restore it to where is was and what about the football team? I would love to know how much is already there and can we do a car wash or some other way to bring in money?
Posted by kriskno (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TooMuchGreen - All good questions. Please join us on July 14th at 6:30pm in the Shelby gym to get the details.
Posted by salover1 (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im with toomuchgreen. Could we do some kind of fundraiser to come up with some of the money?
Posted by liz (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If all the alumni could pledge $100, this could help! I'll start and challenge ALL who are alumni to do so. There should have been an annual fundraiser that involved the alumni.
Posted by kriskno (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Liz,
I agree we should have had annual fundraisers involving the alumni. So lets call this the first annual alumni fundraiser and I accept your challenge. I will have my $100 with me on July 14th. Hope to see you there.
Posted by kriskno (anonymous) on July 9, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Operation Save our School has commenced!!!! We have started an aggressive fundraising campaign. The intial goal is 200k. It sounds like a lot but it only requires 100 people giving $2000. Do you have $2000 to give to this worthy cause? Can you raise $2000 before Tuesday? Maybe 200 people can give $1000. The point is that there are a lot of people scrambling to come up with the necessary funds. You can help as well. Bring what you have to the school July 14th at 6:30pm. Once we have voted we can then start making plans to get this situation corrected. Please also know that this is just the first of many fundraising efforts you will see in the next 12 months. Our ultimate goal is to never be put in this situation again! Be a part of the new beginning. As a friend of mine says, "Roll Shelby Roll"
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)