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Oak Ridge Military Academy cancels summer classes

Sunday, July 5, 2009

(Updated 11:05 pm)

By Donald W. Patterson
Staff Writer

School officials say the financially troubled Oak Ridge Military Academy has canceled its five-week summer programs because of a lack of enrollment.

Students were supposed to have arrived on campus Sunday.

Word of the decision came on the eve of a critical board of trustees meeting scheduled for Tuesday and at a time when Oak Ridge officials have been searching for an investor to rescue the 158-year-old cash-strapped school.

Last month, President Roy Berwick talked about a proposed “long-term fix” for the school’s financial problems.

If the deal went through, Berwick said then, the investor would absorb most of the academy’s $4.8 million debt and provide additional funds to keep the school open.

On Sunday, Berwick refused to update the situation.

“I’m not talking again until this is all resolved,” Berwick said.

He referred questions to Bobbie Gardner, chairman of the academy’s board of trustees. Efforts to reach Gardner by phone Sunday were unsuccessful, but in an e-mail, she wrote: “Our plans are to open in the fall. The board is meeting (Tuesday) to discuss the upcoming school year and our future.”

She did not address talks with any possible investors or the cancellation of the summer session.

Berwick said the decision to cancel the summer offerings, which included academic and leadership camps, came several weeks ago.

“We needed at least 45 (students),” Berwick said. “I don’t know how many we got, but it wasn’t 45.”

Having no camps adds to a long list of problems Oak Ridge has experienced over the past academic year.

Enrollment at the private military boarding school in Oak Ridge fell to about 130 students, a drop of 12 percent over the previous year, and well below the peak of about 300 in the 1990s. In addition, the school faced a significant decline in giving and struggled with how to pay off the $4.8 million debt on an academic building that opened in 2001.

To help keep the school open, about 45 faculty and staff agreed in April to relinquish about five weeks of salary. That decision came after Berwick told employees he could not make payroll.

Privately, staff members say they are frustrated by the school’s unstable situation, but school officials say they’re exploring every viable option to keep the school going.

“I remain very optimistic, very hopeful that Oak Ridge is going to remain open moving forward,” said Terrill Sandiford, director of development and alumni affairs. “(I believe) we are going to be around another 158 years and beyond doing what we do best, which is educating young minds and preparing them for the future.”

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

File photo (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Oak Ridge Military Academy

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Consider This

July 6, 2009 - 7:39 pm EDT

I applaud the optimism of the development director. I'd feel better about the school's chances for success if its leadership were more certain in their conviction that all will be well. I've seen differing enrollment numbers in different news reports. Either the press or the school doesn't have a handle on this information. I'm sad for the professional staff and faculty who have not received pay since last February. Financial need will cause them to seek employment elsewhere. August is not a great time to seek new teachers. An uncertain future, with a website that lists last year's tuition and no plan for future open house events, will likely drive current student parents and possible new student parents to look for other schools. This will further compound their problems. I'm sure most parents want to make decisions about their child's schooling before July...August is too late. A white knight ending will do little to help them have a successful next year unless that knight subsidizes that year too.

ccook

July 6, 2009 - 9:34 pm EDT

The truth is that they don't know what is going to happen. Dr. Roy Berwick is trying his best to find a way to keep ORMA alive. Tuesday night will probably decide what happens to the place.

Yes, next year's enrollment would suffer of course, even if they pay off the debt. But that has happened before and ORMA has dealt with that, and can make up for it in the longer-term. ORMA has seen difficult times before, but this is probably the worst ever in its history, save for the American Civil War and the aftermath of Vietnam/1960's. Although enrollment has become more competitive (other private schools, magnets and charters), the issue is simple - the building debt of $4.5 million. If you are reading this, have $4.5 million and would like a building named after you, call the school today. That would save the place.

There is still a decent chance that the school can make it. If only someone or some family in the Triad (Reynolds, Cones, etc.) who has the capacity to give would come forward, $4.5 million would bring ORMA back to stability. And if you wonder why ORMA should deserve to continue, what has it done for our state, nation, the world? Consider these Oak Ridge alumni and their contributions:
- George Stephens, who caught the first forward-pass in football in 1895
- Dr. Bill Atkinson, president & CEO of WakeMed Health and Hospitals; nominated for Modern Healthcare Magazine’s 2009 list of the 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare
- Jessica Maher, Associate Director of Legislative Affairs for the White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Dale Earnhard Jr., NASCAR Racer/Driver

Not to mention that during the Second World War, 127 of the academy's alumni were awarded a Purple Heart during the conflict, while another 27 alumni earned the Silver Star. Not bad for a school with an average enrollment of around 180, and was founded by Quakers.

coyoterog

July 7, 2009 - 12:51 pm EDT

I have a family member who is a teacher at ORMA. I realize that the school has a history and the military tradition is strong. I totally respect that. I believe its a fine teaching instution and have a strong belief that it is ultimatley good for the kids. That being said let me clarify a few things. The teachers agreed to 5 weeks without pay and have only gone more than 2 months without pay. The be exact they have only been paid throu the middle of April and have had nothing since. The teachers, staff and their families have heard nothing but great things about Berwick and the board through this but have seen incompatence and neglect for the well being of the staff. I do not question his honor, I question his ability. On at least 4 occasions he has told the teachers they would get paid they only got paid for 1 of them. I am angry at the administation and alumi, who can help, for wanting to presevre the past and turning a blind eye to the present. I dont care who threw what pass when, and neither do the teachers and staff. I dont care about the tradition if the morals arent being supported today.
The teachers just want what they were promised in their contracts nothing above and beyond. But apparently thats way to much to ask. We've accepted its never going to happen. There is no back pay. There is no trust

get the facts straight

July 7, 2009 - 2:57 pm EDT

I have a casual aquaintenance who works there. I have not heard them specifically criticise anyone, but did say they were lied to on a couple of occasions about being paid. Said they were willing to wait on being paid but would file a lawsuit if they try and open in the fall without paying back pay. I think that would be illegal anyway so I doubt the school would try and do that. The situation looks bleak,but hopefully someone will come through soon. I'd hate to see it close.

Persevering 1

July 8, 2009 - 4:26 pm EDT

As an ORMA faculty member for many years, I can state that most of us have no choice but to move on this fall. We have already lost thousands of dollars in back pay, with little to no hope of ever collecting this money. We put our hearts and souls into teaching these cadets, and worked through graduation for free, just so that the students could finish the school year and graduate as they were meant to. We love our cadets, and it literally breaks my heart to lose what I consider to be my family and friends at Oak Ridge. But we have our own families to support, and with the new school year, we aren't going to come back and work for free again. Many of the students are leaving as well, since their parents have had to make other arrangements, due to the uncertainty about the school opening for fall. You can't expect parents to wait until the last minute, especially if they are trying to enroll children in other private schools. I applaud my fellow teachers and staff members for their loyalty to the Academy, and I wish you and all the alumni nothing but the best. I know first-hand that we have made a difference in the lives of so many young people, and I've been blessed to have been a part of that. Maybe miracles can happen, and the Academy will be able to reopen this fall. Nobody wants to see the school close, and I personally would love to see it open for another 157 years, serving many more generations of cadets. But realistically, the money is just not there, the teachers and staff aren't there, and the students aren't there. It's time to pull it off of life support. Dr. Berwick and the Board need to make the difficult decision that will bring us all some closure and peace.

mommieof3

July 7, 2009 - 3:29 pm EDT

We are in hopes that the school opens. As a parent of a cadet, the school is wonderful. That has not been denied. But the lack of information as to what is going on, has been an issue. We as parents, have not idea what to do. We are in need to get our kids in the school for the fall. We need to know what is going on. We have looked at our options, but are holding on to faith that we will be back at ORMA.

Consider This

July 7, 2009 - 5:49 pm EDT

A failure to openly and honestly communicate indicates a "bunker" mentality. Bar the door and let no one in or out. It indicates indecision, lack of control, hesitancy, and procrastination. These are not behaviors you would expect from professional soldiers, businessmen nor educators. I read in the Cincinnati Enquirer that Berwick was president of Millersburg Military Institute when it closed for financial reasons in March 2003. I also learned that Millersberg had been around for over 100 years and likewise produced some great graduates. I heard that Will Rodgers and one of the Walmart Walton's went there. There seems to be some serious financial management problems at Oak Ridge too under Berwick. The "lying" about pay comment disturbs me. The lack of integrity and communications will do little to cause teachers and students to return there.

get the facts straight

July 7, 2009 - 5:52 pm EDT

I think it is pretty clear that there is no possible way they can open unless this investor comes through, and it sounds from this article that they have been trying to close this deal and it still hasn't happened, that is not a great sign, but they still have time. The person I spoke to thought that about half or so of the faculty had accepted positions elsewhere for next year, so they will need to move quickly to hire replacements if this investor can bail them out.

Consider This

July 7, 2009 - 6:05 pm EDT

The school is worth saving, but the board and its administration need to go as well. Berwick and the chairman have been there the longest and should have seen this coming last September when decisions were made to overspend this past year and action could have been taken at that time to help the school survive. I have no confidence in a leader who notifies the faculty and staff on pay day that there is no money left. The News and Record seems real clear about that incident. He knew a lot earlier or he was just a very poor businessman.

ccook

July 10, 2009 - 1:54 pm EDT

I agree that the teachers have gotten the short end of the stick. I don't blame them for looking for other jobs, I would, too. They sacrificed much for the cadets and school, much more than what is usually asked for - and they freely gave it. I feel for the current parents unsure of where to send their child this fall, and for the cadets who may be loosing their home away from home and beloved school.

As an alumnus, I am dis-heartened. I really think the only successful outcome will be for ORMA to become state supported in some way, either as a charter or something else. Or, if someone comes through with some money. There will be plenty of blame to go around if ORMA closes. I too have partaken in the "blame game," but it really does not help in the long run. I do know Roy Berwick did not come to ORMA to close the place, he is a good man and does care. And the current board is made up of mostly alumni who love the school dearly. I am not ready to give up - maybe something will happen. Remember that ORMA has come close to closing so many times, and yet survived. I have hope that it will continue.