May 26, 2010

Message from the Superintendent

The following letter was mailed to all families on Tuesday, 5/25/2010.

Dear Parents:

Over the past month, I have been working with the Board of Directors and Administration team to develop our future plans. Because of the events of the past year, there have been far more questions about Heritage's future than would ordinarily be the case. These events have contributed to a slower and lower enrollment than HCS has experienced in the past, so we have had to develop plans adjusted to that reality. This letter is intended to answer questions parents have regarding HCS.

Tuition Assistance - Because of the economy and because of increases in tuition at HCS, some families don't think they can keep their children at HCS. Before making a decision to withdraw for financial reasons, I encourage parents to contact Barb Wier in our admissions office and learn about how you can participate in our new tuition assistance program. The process is done online and in an anonymous manner (we use an outside service). With a little effort on your part, you can find out how much it would cost to enroll your children at HCS. Don't let financial hardship stop you from applying.

Secondary Program - We will continue to offer the same honors and AP courses we had last year and in prior years. Our fine arts program will remain largely the same as well. We will keep our foreign languages and computer courses. We will be dropping several business classes, probably creative writing, guitar, home improvement, and sewing. We intend to continue with high school football but there doesn't appear to be sufficient interest for middle school football. Girls' golf will be dropped in the fall. Otherwise, it appears that the sports offered this year will be returning next year.

Elementary Program - Our plan is to continue with Art, Music, PE, and Computers as special courses. We have offered contracts to teachers to keep section sizes below 25 at all grades.

Secondary Faculty - At present, contracts have been offered to Mr. Arn, Mr. Dick, Mrs. Keltner, Mr. Konopasek, Mrs. Matchie, Mr. Millen, Mr. Schroeder, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Winter, Mr. Wujek, Miss Wurtz, Mr. Greenwell, Miss Propp, and Mrs. Taylor. Mr. Towberman is leaving an administrative position and taking a faculty position. Mrs. McKelvey will be returning on a part time basis for Heritage Singers and Yearbook. Mr. Moen, and Mr. Jenks have chosen to not return. We will offer contracts to remaining teachers as enrollment permits.

Elementary Faculty - At present, contracts have been offered to Mrs. Buege, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Gibbons, Miss Hauri, Mr. Hoek, Mrs. Hoekzema, Mr. Nickell, Mrs. Sherwood, Mrs. Conn, and Miss Wright from the elementary program. Mrs. Thompson will be moving to our elementary program. Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Fesser, Mrs. MacKay, Miss Raether and Mrs. Reetz have notified us that they will not be returning. We will offer contracts to remaining teachers as enrollment permits.

How Faculty Were Selected - Without question, one of the most difficult things to do over the past month has been to select which faculty to hire. Numerous factors were involved in making our decisions. These have included: observed ability to effectively instruct; class test results; ability to manage students; flexibility as far as deployment within the school; ability to relate to students and parents; discernment in conversations with faculty, students and parents; reliability for duties; and participation in extra curricular activities, Neither salary nor seniority were factors in the administrative team's decision making process.

Elementary Playground - During the summer the school will be bringing over the play equipment from the elementary campus and placing it in the green space at the north end of this campus.

Facility - HCS no longer owns the building. However, we have full use of the building and intend to remain for the entire 2010-2011 school year. Sometime within the next few months, the bank which owns the building will place a sign out front advertising the sale of the building.

Finances - HCS got into a serious financial hole through the following four reasons:
 

• It had substantial resources stolen by means of fraud.
   
• It took on a mortgage obligation which was larger than it could handle.
   
• It had too large a payroll.
   
• It was charging insufficient tuition to cover its operational expenses.

• We are using the legal process to recover monies which rightfully belong to HCS.
   
• We have eliminated a $67,000/month mortgage payment and replaced it with a $18,500/month lease payment.
   
• Our payroll budget is consistent with the current enrollment.
   
• We have increased tuition to cover operational expenses.