BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A local preschool in Beckley is closing its doors after 65 years due to financial struggles. The church leadership board made the announcement and issued a statement below.
“To the community,
If you recall, the church moved to close the preschool before starting this school year due to financial struggles with slowing enrollment. The Governor’s office gave us the grant to continue another year of operation, but we encountered ongoing pandemic issues. We had to return the grant since the school was not in operation for many months. The school has used its reserve funds to offer classes this year and pay the staff fully for the months we were closed, so we are fully reliant on tuition to meet expenses. Enrollment has been falling each year.
The church’s leadership has made the difficult decision that May 28, 2021, will be the final day of operation for the school. We find fewer people who can enroll their child for a three-hour-a-day program, and we have not been financially viable for the past four years.
St Stephen’s Episcopal Day School is proud of the impact we had on so many children and their families for the past 65 years, and we thank the families of those children for trusting us with their children. We have always been proud to offer the finest teachers and strong programs. Teachers, past and present, have been superior, and we are blessed with our staff. We were proud to have excellent facilities and activities. We will miss the joyous sounds of children filling our halls.
We join you in your sorrow at this necessary step. We now begin the work to determine how we might meet other needs of children in our community.
Sincerely,
The vestry (leadership board) of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.”