news-record.com

GREENSBORO — The echoes of marching cadets will likely ring at Oak Ridge Military Academy again this fall.

Reginald Ponder, who is helping guide the academy through a restructuring this summer, said he will recommend to the governing board Wednesday that the school open this fall.

Ponder said he has 79 students confirmed to begin class on Aug. 24. The students will fill grades six through 12.

The nearly 160-year-old private school is facing dire financial problems. In April, about 45 faculty and staff agreed to relinquish five weeks of salary to keep the school going. The school was later unable to pay any employees. Following that, the school replaced its governing board and contracted with Ponder until a new president could be hired.

Ponder said he met with employees last week and laid out the recovery plan. He said the money earned this year will pay for the current year’s operations. Previous debts, including unpaid salaries and vendor debts, will be paid for through financial gifts and grants.

Ponder said paying employees will take priority, and he expects to have those debts repaid in two months. He declined to say how much was owed to employees.

He expects to employ up to 20 people, including 12 teachers this year. Some of those will be part time, but Ponder said former employees have expressed interest in continuing their work with the school. “There seems to be considerable interest on the part of these former employees who want to work at Oak Ridge,” Ponder said. “I think people have a loyalty to the institution. They enjoy working here.”

The military academy will also benefit from a leasing contract with Guilford County Schools. The school system has drawn up a contract to lease classroom and office space from the private school for $27,000 per month. The district needs the space to house Oak Ridge Elementary School’s second through fifth grades while efforts continue at that school to address possible indoor air quality issues.

Ponder said his board will vote on the contract with the school system during the Wednesday meeting as well. Her said the military academy could be on strong financial footing in five years, provided the school can increase enrollment to 200 students by then.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com.