SWS BOARD NEWS   |  MAY 15, 2020 
GRADE 1 WATERCOLOR
Dear Seattle Waldorf School Community,

Since our last communication in late April, the Board of Trustees has been intensely engaged in gaining a deeper understanding of the complex circumstances our school, and all schools, are facing as we plan for next year. As stewards of the school, our responsibility requires balancing the current and pressing needs of our families, faculty, and staff with the long-term health and mission of the school. Like you, we must make decisions with incomplete information and uncertain outcomes. We recognize that there may not be consensus within our community regarding our decisions, yet hope there will be acknowledgement of the thoughtful, diligent work that is guiding our actions.

As we shared earlier, the following values and goals have framed the Board's deliberation over the past month:
  • Retention of all current families for next year, including increased financial assistance and flexible tuition payment options.
  • Prudent allocation of resources that allows maximum flexibility to respond to unforeseen changes in the economic and educational landscape.
  • Creation of opportunities to maximize on-campus learning and childcare, including calendar adjustments and early childhood licensing.
  • Investment in our faculty, whose commitment and creativity are key to fostering the development of our students in the future, whether on campus or off.
  • Implementation of new health and safety protocols that mitigate risk and promote student and adult well-being at all times, particularly during upticks in cases of the coronavirus.
GRADE 4 HANDWORK
Most important, we must prioritize building our capacity to respond quickly and effectively to rapidly changing circumstances, including program innovation, financial flexibility, and safeguarding community health.

Annually in the fall, the Board, in partnership with the Head of School and senior leadership, develops a preliminary budget for the following year, which is approved in January. This initial financial plan is based on a number of key assumptions, including enrollment projections, faculty and staff compensation, and financial assistance needs. Based on our best estimates, we then set increases in tuition, salary, and financial aid and bring this to our community. This year, we made a compelling case to increase tuition by 9.3% (beyond our budgeted 6%) to support a significant boost of 15% in our faculty salaries. The pressing need to invest in our faculty has not changed, however the world in which we are living now is dramatically different.

We are forecasting a 10% decline in enrollment for the next school year as well as a 10% increase in financial aid requests. In addition, there will be significant expenses associated with opening our campuses in the fall, as well as increased investment in professional development and technology for faculty and staff. In response to this "new normal," the Board approved the following changes to the working 2020-21 budget:
  • The tuition increase will revert to just over 6%, in alignment with typical historic increases. The additional increase of $500 in the middle school will be eliminated.
  • Faculty salaries will increase by 7.5%, affirming our commitment to continuing to provide compensation that reflects the value and importance of our teachers.
  • The allocation of an initial $200,000 in temporary financial assistance funds, in addition to our Financial Aid budget of $1.7 million, for families impacted by the current economic crisis.
  • Establishment of a tiered tuition schedule for Early Childhood families during periods of campus closure, in conjunction with the capacity to offer licensed childcare on campus.
  • The dates at which a family incurs responsibility for tuition have been adjusted to 25% on June 15 and 100% on August 24.
GRADE 11 STENCIL
Like many other schools in the area and across the country, SWS qualified for support under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) intended to protect employment. These funds have allowed us to retain all faculty and staff, including hourly employees, during this very challenging time. In addition, we have been able to establish a COVID-19 Reserve Fund, which will provide needed resources for financial assistance, faculty and staff retention, community and campus safety needs, and the capacity to meet unforeseen and urgent circumstances.

On Monday, Tracy and the leadership team will provide information regarding our Community Support Plan -- including the 2020-21 school calendar, program and campus planning, and health promotion protocols under consideration. On Tuesday, families will receive details regarding changes to their enrollment agreement, reflecting the Board's decisions outlined above. Finally, in early June the Board and school leadership will host a Community Conversation to offer an overview of next year's financial plan and answer questions, as best we can.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to the school's administrative and pedagogical leadership, faculty, and staff for their tireless work and dedication to children and families during this difficult and stressful time. They are indeed a shining light of courage and strength for all of us. And we thank you for your continued commitment to SWS and Waldorf education. While next year will undoubtedly look different, our fundamental values remain the same. We are grateful for your partnership and patience as we move forward together.
Sincerely,

Curt Eckman
Board President		 Tracy Bennett
Head of School		 Raquel Scharf-Anderson
Incoming Head of School
2019-2020 Board of Trustees

Curt Eckman, President
Eva Elliott, Vice President/Secretary
Fred Ingham, Treasurer
 Dan Amdur
Brigitte Bertschi
Nettie Fabrie
Missi Goss
Andy Hoag
Jon Labonite
Erika Lindsay
Mark Perry
Steve Roos
Cathy Simon
Peter von Homeyer
Richard Watkins
Seattle Waldorf School  |  206.524.5320  |   seattlewaldorf.org