Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:18:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: Charles Jones
Subject: The view from here…
(regarding the status of Chatham Grove School)
After much review, we are deeply saddened to bring the news that we cannot find a path forward that supports the school we have so passionately envisioned.
Sorting through the entwined pieces of this puzzle, we examined the viability of scaled down models & alternate classroom structures. More than once, we reviewed the projected budget for potential cost reductions. We gratefully considered offers from several families to contribute additional funding towards the endowment, which would in turn allow us to extend offers to more families in need of assistance. Even as we began to write our final message on Monday morning, late breaking developments arose that briefly rallied our hopes. However, the solution remained elusive.
While each scenario had unique costs and benefits, none revealed any significant fiscal advantage over the others, and in end, we consistently remained several students short of a strong sustainable budget. With creative approaches to specific shortfalls, we came within two enrollments of success for brief moments, but the numbers were fluid, and the outlook continually changed. Even as we write to you now, multiple potential students remain on our “maybe†list, but a variety of factors prevent the families from making a confident commitment to Chatham Grove, which in turn, leaves us no choice but the decision that we cannot prudently move forward.
We would like to extend our thanks to the teachers for their vision, their patience, and their flexibility as we continued to throw one “what if†scenario after another out on the drawing board. It is our sincere hope that they quickly find themselves in opportunities that use their incredible talents to the fullest.
We are especially grateful to all the friends, supporters, and CIS alumni who made the effort to further an ideal that all agreed was bigger than our own personal lives. The mix of ideas, energy, and enthusiasm inspired us to keep pushing forward every day. We were also very touched to make the acquaintance of several new families who readily joined hands with us in the waning days of this push. It reaffirms our faith that this message rings true, and sparks hope that this idea will yet be realized.
On June 27th, when the community met to discuss the potential of a new school, we had fervent hope to bring success to this endeavor. We believed that this effort would carry forward a mission for which we hold the highest regard. We are at the necessary conclusion of this effort. At this time, we feel compelled to allow both the teachers and the families to pursue other opportunities. We continue to believe in the urgent need for this kind of educational environment to exist, and to cultivate the values which promote an engaged thoughtful cooperative community. We are open to comments & suggestions from you. Thank you again for putting forth such support and generosity.