Windrush School to remain open through the school year

Stories culled from Windrush's website and the El Cerrito Patch website


How does this affect BPC?
According to John Carlstroem at the Parents' Circle meeting Tuesday night, despite Windrush staying open, a number of families are still approaching BPC, and we may be accepting a few into the student body.


Oct 11th update: Windrush will stay open to the end of the school year
At a meeting with parents and staff on Monday night, the board of trustees announced that Windrush School had received $867,000 in pledged support in less than two weeks. Based on this support, the board passed resolutions to keep the school open through the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year, subject to continuing Bankruptcy Court approval. The Board also announced the formation of a committee specifically tasked with the responsibility of developing plans for future operations beyond the current school year, with input from the school’s parent, faculty and staff constituencies.



Oct 6th update
As of Thursday evening, we have secured over $827,431 in pledges. By any measure this is a remarkable feat, and a testament both to your generosity and the level of support for Windrush. Our great thanks are due to all of you who have participated in this effort. 
The board will convene in the next few days to consider a resolution as to the sufficiency of funding for projected needs, the result of which will determine our next steps. The results of the board’s decision and the updated pledge total will be announced on Monday. 


Oct 1st update: 
Windrush says that if the 35-year-old school doesn't raise an additional $800,000 to $900,000 by this Friday it will have to close Oct. 28. If it does raise the funds, it can complete the school year, the trustees said. The total raised as of today is $631,828, according to the school website. The amount stood at $575,650 on Monday, according the Windrush Development Director Ann Root. <more>


Sept 25th
Threatened with imminent closure because of a large bond debt, El Cerrito's Windrush School entered bankruptcy today, Friday, and secured a $250,000 matching pledge from an anonymous donor, the school said.

New hope for keeping Windrush School open at least the rest of this year has been kindled by an anonymous donor's pledge to match any additional donations up to $250,000, school head Ilana Kaufman said Friday afternoon.

At the same time, the school's petition to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy was granted by the court today, the school said in a letter posted on its website. The bankruptcy gives Windrush temporary protection from creditors, but Windrush must demonstrate to the Bankruptcy Court on Oct. 7 that it has enough pledges to keep the school operating until June, the letter said. 


<more from this article on The Patch, including some fiesty commentary>