Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
COME SEPTEMBER, more than 200 students at the Suthermere Preparatory School in St. Andrew will have to find new schools.
Scott Burke, managing director of the school has disclosed that effective July 31, the institution will be closed.
He said this is due to a number of factors including non-payment of rent, bankruptcy and possibly financial irregularities.
The school, located at 6 Strathairn Avenue, has been in operation since 1920.
Mr. Burke said the school has not been able to pay its rent for the past 31/2 years. As a result, the owners of the property have demanded that it be vacated.
Mr. Burke further said the non-payment of school fees and lower enrolment have impacted the school's operational capability.
"Over the past 5 years, we have had a difficult time in bringing in the school fees, added to that we had a fire about three years ago and no insurance to cover it. I have been literally paying for the expenses of the school out of my pocket," he said. "Right now the school is in debt to the tune of 12 million dollars"
FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES
In the meantime, Mr. Burke has indicated that there could have been financial irregularities at the school. The school's managing director said the matter has been reported to the Financial Crimes Unit.
A senior investigating officer at the unit confirmed that a complaint has been filed, but could not confirm or deny the allegations of financial irregularities noting that the situation was very "sensitive".
Contacted last week, a teacher at the school who requested anonymity said she was not previously informed of the impending closure.
"This is a crazy situation because children have been given their stuff to return to school in September. What will the parents do, and where will they place their children?" she questioned.
In the meantime, Mr. Burke said he would be duely informing parents of the closure, he describes as inevitable.
"I have tried everything in my power to make the school work but it hasn't," he insisted.
