Letter From L.F.C.A. Members - David & Mariana Cashion

Good Morning! To say I am shocked to hear about the pre-school closing is an understatement.

My wife and I recently closed escrow on our new home here in the community (June 09). We have been looking into this community and watching the housing market closely for that past 5 years. Nine months ago we were blessed with a new baby daughter, and realized we should start planting some roots in a community. Part of planning those roots was to purchase a new house and make an investment in a community my daughter could be raised in.

We looked into this community because of some of the amenities it offered. One of the major factors in us choosing to purchase in this community was with the plan that my daughter could go to pre-school right across the street from our house in a gated NAEYC accredited preschool.

I should mention that the entire time during our long escrow I brought myself up to speed with everything that was taking place in the community. However this is the first time I have heard anything regarding the preschool.

As this unfolds, I'm second guessing my decision to plant my roots here in this community. I'm appalled to learn how this board operates and conducts itself. With the information that has surfaced it looks like this board is more concerned with questionable politics, adult leisure and shady money management. Rather than what is in the best interest of the families and children in this community.......

Maybe the board should look up community in the dictionary:

community [kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

1.	a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

2.	a locality inhabited by such a group.

3.	a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually prec. bythe): the business community; the community of scholars.

4.	a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.

5.	Ecclesiastical. a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.

6.	Ecology. an assemblage of interacting populations occupying a given area.

7.	joint possession, enjoyment, liability, etc.: community of property.

8.	similar character; agreement; identity: community of interests.

9.	the community, the public; society: the needs of the community.

LFCA Member

David & Mariana Cashion

Letter From L.F.C.A. Member and FORMER BOARD MEMBER - Karen Grimmett

Dear Cynthia, It has been many years since I served on the Board of Directors. But it is comforting to know that things haven't changed much. Have the rules governing HOA's changed so much that the board can make such a unilateral decision without apprising the membership? I'm guessing by reading thru the lines, that there is more to this than meets the eye. Possibly an increase in insurance, threat of a lawsuit, or some other substantial reason. This is not the first time the preschool has been on the chopping block. It has always been an issue of insurance, cost vs profit, effect on tax status, and inconvenience. So business wise, it has always been an area of concern. However, thousands of children have passed through the preschool. Including my own two children, 20 years ago. The preschool has always been a benefit to the children and their achievements in school, as well as the parents, and likewise to the community. In these economic times, the choice to close the preschool and further burden parents (homeowners) is unjust. To do it in the manner in which they were notified is cold and without conscience. Maybe the board need to re-examine the issue and take into consideration the long term significance the preschool has had in the association and the community. Consider the good it has done for thousands of children and their families. There are often ways around negative actions, changes to the allocation of the budget, having the association attorneys look it to alternative actions, and even discussing with the homeowners before taking such drastic actions. The parents deserve an explanation as to why the preschool is closing so abruptly and a chance to discuss it with the board. I am sure the board knew there would be a largely negative response. They could have mitigated the reaction with better dissemination of information instead of just putting it on the chopping block without notice. Very truly yours, Karen Grimmett

Letter From L.F.C.A. Member - Karen Ver Wayne

I just want to put my 2 cents worth in. Both of my children went to the preschool at the Lake Forest Beach and Tennis Club 28 and 24 years ago. In those days they went 3 days a week from 9 - 12:00. I always felt that it was a central part of our community. We often would go swimming after preschool, packing a lunch and swimming with some of the other children and their mothers. Those same children ended up in the same swimming lessons. They even ended up in Indian Maidens or on the same soccer team. It felt like we were all part of a community. Two years ago I saw a girl that had been in my son's preschool class at my doctor's office. It turned out she was now a doctor at that practice and had graduated from high school with my son. She was so surprised that I remembered her from preschool. What a great feeling when that sense of community was felt. I know that sometime later situations had changed and mothers started going back to work. The preschool needed to change to meet the needs of the residents and become a full time business. Even back 28 years ago money was a problem. The preschool had to share its building with the teen center. Can't something be done to save the preschool? I am sure these parents feel like this is a safe place for their children to come. You didn't even give us homeowners any details. What are the hours, how many children attend, are they association members only or do they take those living outside the association? I heard there is a shortage of $5,000. per year. Can't you raise preschool fees? Give the homeowners a chance to work this out………don't just close the school.

Karen Ver Wayne

Letter From L.F.C.A. Member - Tony Millsap

I am in favor of keeping the pre-school open. It is a fantastic opportunity for the families in the area to have their children at this pre-school. I believe that it provides family one more reason to use the recreation center and helps bind them to the community. I think that it is a shame that the board would vote on this without first discussing with the community at large. Historically, votes are held in the dark when those in power do not want the true motives made public. If the community at large voted to eliminate the pre-school I would be disappointed, but supportive. I can not support a decision that was made in the manner that this decision has been made. Tony Millsap

Letter from Parent - Debbie Cain

I am so sad to hear the school may be closing! Please let us come up with some other solutions. My older daughter attended the school and I was hoping my younger daughter would be able to attend next year. We had a great experience at the school and we really enjoyed meeting the other children and families in our community this way. We were able to enjoy all the clubhouse activities and holiday celebrations even more because my daughter would see all her preschool friends there and it really helped as she moved on through the grades.

Why wouldn’t we be able to vote on this or have some input before decisions are made??

Thank you,

Debbie Cain

Letter From L.F.C.A. Member - Lori M Lytle

I regret reading that the preschool will be closing. I read the letter from the board and I can understand the overhead cost that are associated with running the preschool.

Having a preschool within your community offers many advantages. My daughter attended the preschool 20 years ago - which is hard to believe. We enjoyed having her participate in the program where she met many friends and learned what was needed prior to entering kindergarten. The friends she met while attending the preschool, she interacted with through the time she spent at the local schools, church and sports. She still has contact with some of them today and they have graduated from college.

As I said above, I understand the overhead cost and that it effects only 1% of the families living within our association but I was wondering, what percentage of families use the weight room? There is continuous upgrades to this amenity but how many families use the facility? I only state this because even though the preschool effects a small part of our association, the benefits these children receive can't be compared to not having the education and the friendships that are built within our community.

Sincerely,

Lori M Lytle

Letter From - Tanja Trainer L.F.C.A. Member & Parent

Dear Ms. Valdes,

To say the I received a serious shock when I dropped my son off at preschool this morning is an understatement of epic proportions. I took him to school as usual, and pulled the various papers out his folder and gave them a looking over as I was heading out the door. The sound of my jaw dropping I am sure was heard as far away as Mission Viejo. In my son's folder was a letter from one of the other parents stating that the preschool is to be closed at the end of the month. This was complete news to me seeing as the Association has NEVER informed us, meaning my family, of this closure. Apparently other families have received notices, but we never have. My son is supposed to attend this preschool for another year, and yet I am not notified that his school is closing??? I wasn't even notified that there was going to be a vote to close the school!!! I had heard that it was to be renovated, but closure?!?! This school has been here for almost 30 years. Generations of Association members have attended this preschool, and now it has been slated to be closed without even giving members of the Association the chance to be involved in this decision? I have read that the some of the reasons given for closing the school are a shortfall of money and that only about 1 % of the members use it. There are money shortfalls everywhere right now and this preschool has been profitable more often than not, so that is not a reason to close. Not to mention, I am sure that every parent there would be more than happy to pay a little extra and even do fundraisers to save the school, but we were never even given the opportunity. As to only 1% of members using it, that argument applies to just about everything at the Association. The upstairs rec room is perpetually deserted. The only person that I know of that ever uses it is my husband and for just that reason, because he knows no one will ever be there and he will have it to himself. I doubt more than 1 or 2 % percent of the Association uses the gym either. It is dark almost every time I go by there. Is that going to be boarded up as well? What about the lagoon? Talk about a drain on resources. How much is being spent on resolving that issue, when it would just be better to knock down the wall and just make it part of the lake? Even the pool doesn't seem to see much activity except on weekends. But that preschool is used Monday through Friday, and yet it has been voted to close it. A vote I might add that was taken behind closed doors and without the community having any say. That is what bothers me the most. The fact that the school could possibly be closed is upsetting enough, but that this decision was reached in such a sneaky, underhanded manner is the most upsetting of all. I no longer have any trust in this board whatsoever, and they have made it clear that they do not have the best interests of this community at heart. I find the reasons stated for the closure highly questionable, and the members of this Association deserve far more concrete answers and reasons. I am outraged not only as a member of the Association, which I have been for almost 11 years, but as a mother. My oldest son went to this preschool, and now my youngest son is going to this preschool, and if I have any children in the future, they will go to this preschool. It is extremely difficult to find a good preschool, especially one that has such a long standing staff as Miss Cindy, Miss Linda, and Miss Gale, whose dedication is about to be rewarded by losing their jobs. One of the things that we were most excited about when we moved here to Lake Forest and into this Association was the fact that it had a preschool. We were thrilled, and I am sure we are among many who moved here who felt the same way, and I know future members would be just excited to find a preschool on the premises of their Association. And yet, the Board has decided to close one of the Associations greatest assets. I cannot see how this makes any sense. Fiscal issues can be resolved in a better way than this. I know the community can rally behind this preschool and do whatever is necessary to keep it going. What is despicable is that chance was never given. I look forward to Board Meeting this Wednesday, where I and many others will be able to give our thoughts and opinions in person.

Sincerely,

Tanja Trainer
Mother of Griffin Schwab

Letter From - Laurie Smith L.F.C.A. Member

LFCA Board:

I suggest you look at the preschool as other not-for-profit organizations would----- as a potential money maker. All organizations look for ways to make money to support the services for which they are created. Museums have gift shops, etc. You have a potential goldmine.

1) The community needs a licensed childcare center. We have it!

2) We have a very talented manager and staff who offer families more than just time away from mom and dad.

3) Parents can make flexible schedules with a balanced payment, structured around their job responsibilities -- not just the schools convenience.

4) There is no reason why we don't charge a surcharge to residents outside Lake I, but still keep the school available for homeowners.

5) We could do a cooperative with Lake II, giving them the discount given us. OR

6) Lake II might help us support the program if they could have X number of places.

Consider your options to make it an asset instead of trying to kill a good thing.

Thank you,

Laurie Smith

Letter From Ryan Bullock - L.F.C.A. Member

As a new parent, I am dissapointed that our baby and future children will not have the chance to attend the preschool.

The preschool was a nice incentive when we bought our house. This incentive does help everyone, not just 1% becuase it's a benefit that adds value to all of our homes.

It is a tough housing market. Anything to attract new young home buyers should not be disregarded without a vote from the association members.

Letter From Ken & Patti Martinez - L.F.C.A. Members

We support you in the effort to save the Lakeview Learning Center. You have provided an excellent, accredited pre-school experience that this community is proud of. We are shocked to hear that the LFCA board members made this decision, and will make every effort to attend the August 19th board meeting.

Best regards,

Ken and Patti Martinez

Letter From Andy Gizara - L.F.C.A. Member

Dear Ms. Cynthia, et al.

I was shocked and disappointed to hear the association is planning to close
Lakeview Preschool. Our youngest, Eileen, is a third grader and an alumnus
of Lakeview Preschool. We feel Lakeview provided a learning experience
close to home for her that enriched her development favorably leading to her
substantial academic progress in elementary school. It would not be fair to
deprive other association members with preschool aged children the
opportunity to have their child attend a quality place of learning in their
own neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Andy Gizara,

Letter From Denise Bernard

Hi Ms Cynthia, Just wanted to let you know I support leaving the L.V. preschool Open...My son, Troy Bernard attended 7 years ago....and really benefitted from going. He was very prepared in every way to go to kindergarten because of his experience at pre-school. Today he is more outgoing and socialable from where he use to be. I think the preschool played a big part in his developement. Please post on your blog. Sincerely, Denise Bernard

Letter From Michelle and Richard Forsythe - L.F.C.A. Members

Jim,

While your post here states that you will answer several concerns, you

equally raise a great number of far more disturbing issues, even laying

aside the closure of the preschool itself. Your comments acknowledge that

the board had a period of time between the newsletter being written in mid

July and the executive committee meeting on the 6th of August. Evidently

during those three weeks, news of such critical importance arose that the

Board was forced into the closure of the school. You - and presumably the

entire board - had time to 1.) analyze these mysterious facts, 2.) reach a

decision, 3.) arrange for refunds and notifications to be posted to the

parents, and 4.) for the closure of the school. Yet, you did not update the

Preschool section on this website (still accepting enrollment as of today

8/15/09!), nor did you - nor any Board member - make any effort to contact

the Association members. Instead, poor Cynthia is now scrambling to explain

the Boards decision - and given the outcry on the handling of this issue I

do not envy her role.

You are always very quick to reply to posts on this website - why did you

not post the facts as they arose, or make any notification to the

membership?

And while I certainly agree the needs of the majority of the membership must

be placed over and above the needs of only a few, I believe all members are

entitled to openness on the part of the board, that timely and accurate

information should be dispensed, and that it is indeed the responsiblity of

the Board to communicate on all issues promptly. Because many members do not

attend meetings, and because you personally have pushed for the open thread

on this website, it is very alarming to realize a decision of this

magnitude -whether right or wrong - could take place without any visibly

effort on your part to post on this board, send email to the LFCA contact

list, or simply pop a letter in the mail to the complete membership. It

would be silly of the Board to think that lightly attended meetings mean an

apathetic or maleable membership! I for one expect the people I employ to be

able to do an adequate job without constant supervision or micro-management.

One last point - your reply to Carol Madigan's original post uses the phrase

"you claim" no fewer than four times. Surely, this is a rather aggressive

response - and especially from a gentleman of your background!!! You must

admit that had you immediately dispensed information - via all available

channels- there is a significant possibility this entire kerfuffle could

have been avoided.

I - and many, many members - will eagerly await not only Cythia's letter,

which will obviously contain the financial information for the preschool for

last five years, but indeed an apology from the entire Board for their

disappointing handling of this issue.

Sincerely,

Michelle and Richard Forsythe

Letter From Peri Deutschman - Aunt

This letter is in support of The Lakeview Learning Center. I am so saddened to hear the news of the closure of our Lakeview Learning Center. I have had the joy of watching my niece, Chloe Deutschman thrive in such a warm, safe and outstanding learning environment, that we are fortunate enough to have in our own backyard!! A school like Lakeview Learning Center is invaluable to the future of Lake Forest and to our children. Please reconsider the decision to close our Center!!! Open the lines of communication and let us make our case for our children, and on behalf of our wonderful teachers. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Peri Deutschman Lake Forest resident of 28 years

Letter From L.F.C.A. Member - Bette Lawson

Dear Cynthia,

My! My! I bet you are having one hell of a day after Thursday notice of closure of the preschool. I'm writing not to say either Yes or No to the closure to the school but more so about how it was handles. Our little lake has been talking about it all day yesterday and this morning and I'm sure between now and next Wednesday night there will be lots of e-mails, calls, visit to the club and tears and anger expressed in one form or another. My husband and I will be out of town and unable to attend the meeting next week. This is one time I wish the club filmed the meetings because it's going to be a doozie. If you think the health care issue with Obama is big wait till this one. Anyway, I only have a few things to express.

1. This should have been brought out back in April or May and told to the association so it could have been discussed and addressed while there was time to answer the questions. I'm very disappointed with the Board that they waited until two weeks before school starts to do this. There is so little time for the parents to find another location. It just isn't right to wait till now to do this.

2. I'm not either FOR or AGAINST the closure of the school. IF, after going over or the pros and cons, the financial issues, the future of the school, etc. then, and only then should a decision be made. For the Board to do this behind closed doors is what I'm upset about. Once more it only shows how very disrespect the Board, and apparently PCM, has for it's members. If, after discussion and listening to ALL SIDES, the Board votes to close the school, so be it. But to never give the parents, staff, membership or others the chance to discuss it is just right out WRONG!

Along this same issue I really must say how disappointed I am at the present Board. I was out the country a great deal last year and unable to be involved in the meetings. I always went every month until we were gone so much last year. When we came back I saw a lot of things repaired and upgraded and thought the Board was doing a good job taking care of the association in these hard financial times. I heard good things about PCM, including you, and thought things were going well. There will always be something at associations that bring about stress on a daily basis but general things are running smoothly at the club....until this.
How could PCM go along with this secret meeting, knowing that staff was told NOT to say anything. I guess the association is PCM's boss but still this was handled all wrong.

3. It has been said that the president, Dr. Gardner, called this meeting when some of the Board was not able to be there. I don't know if this is true or not. If it is then this is even worse than stated above. I get along with Jim but I'll stand up against anyone who tries to do something this import to so many that it's done the way it was done. If Dr. Gardner is innocent in this then let all the details of how it came about, who said what and when come out. Just like the present administration Washington keeps say: Transparency is the goal. Our Board should be the same way. Well, this sure does look and smell like three month old fish because it has been going on for several months now. I can't believe that there wasn't at least ONE Board member who wouldn't stand up for the school and the people on this issue. If only one Board member has said NO to a closed door meeting then all this resentment would not be coming out at this moment.

In closing, once more let me say that at this moment I don't know how I would vote if I were on the Board to either close or keep open the school. What I do know is that I would fight to make this issue an open door event and not slink off and hide behind closed doors to do this. Even as crooked as our Washington Congress is they MUST vote in public for a bill if it's going to pass. Why wasn't our Board made to do the same thing on such an import issue? That I think should have come from PCM's side or advice from the lawyers. But then, what do I know.

Bette Lawson

Letter From Linda Kirsch - Educator

Dear Ms. Valdes,

I was shocked and distressed when I heard about the proposed closing of the Lakeview Learning Center. Our family lived in Lake Forest for nearly 20 years and although, when we came to Lake Forest, our children were too old to attend the preschool, we were always proud that our ­­­association offered a quality NAEYC accredited preschool – one of the very few NAEYC accredited preschools in the greater community.

I am a professional educator and have worked as a director of education for the past thirty years, including six years as an early childhood director. The quality of the developmental program at Lakeview Learning Center and the caring and nurturing environment offered by the faculty is outstanding and has been a real gift to our community.

We are all faced with economic difficulties. However, I believe that the closing of an accredited preschool that serves the children of our community needs to be a last resort after every other option has been considered. Please give your students and their parents and grandparents the opportunity to work with you to find another solution. You need to keep this gem of a preschool open to continue to educate and nurture our children.

Yours truly,

Linda R. Kirsch, RJE, MAJS

lkirsch@templebethelsoc.org

Letter From Roberta Deutschman - Grandparent & Early Childood Specialist

Letter to the Board from Roberta K. Deutschman,

Educator, Child Life Specialist ,Early Childhood Specialist, Preschool Director, Children’s Enrichment Coordinator.

“Our lives, begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am convinced that for the good of the whole community, the Board needs to stop the closing of the Lakeview Learning Center.

I have been a member of Lake II for 32 years. Both Lake I and Lake II share so many wonderful amenities from the pool area to tennis and basketball courts, event entertaining and gym areas. THE one main attraction Lake I has is it’s excellent Early Childhood Educational Center, the Lakeview Learning Center. This Lakeview Learning Center attracts families seeking excellence in quality education for their preschool age children.Choosing Preschools is a primary factor when choosing ‘where to live’. Early Childhood Education ‘matters’ to families in this community.

The Lakeview Learning Center is NAEYC accredited and it is only one of a few in the area to receive this achievement in excellence. NAEYC, National Association of the Education for Young Children, accredits Learning Centers who meet the highest of standards in education. The Lakeview Learning Center offers our community families the excellence in education including staffing, curriculum and physical environment.

It is imperative that as a community we recognize the Lakeview Learning Center and its capacities, talents, direction and mission. For our families this Center is a place to develop...emotionally, socially, cognitively and physically. This Center follows developmentally appropriate guidelines developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

I am ‘speaking out’ because it ‘matters’ and asking the Board to support Early Childhood Education and your outstanding Learning Center. Lake I Lakeview Learning Center is Early Childhood Education; it is not a Day Care. The learning experiences provided are NAEYC Accredited. We have an outstanding Learning Center in our community and we do not want to let it go!

It would be an ‘honor’ for the Board to support the Lakeview Learning Center and not a liability. Let’s acknowledge today’s difficult economic times , and ask Lake I Board to become our ‘Hero’ and come to the aid of our families.

I was a ‘founding’ director of the Preschool on Lake II and I know the community mission and services the association can provide for our families. An Early Childhood Center and one that is NAEYC accredited, and only a select few reach this honor, should continue to be the heart of our mission.

Marketing a preschool is no easy task. My children live on Lake I and only ‘stumbled’ on this Center....but because of its NAEYC accreditation, they enrolled without hesitation. This speaks highly of the developmental programs they provide. The Board needs to give this Preschool a chance. The Lakeview Learning Center is a value to the association and to the community at large.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta K. Deutschman

Letter From Ariana Kazanciyan - Parent

Dear Parents,

I do not know how to tell my son that he only has two more weeks to enjoy his friends and teachers before he has to go to a new school and make new friends.
I understand that this is a business and money is a big concern for any type of business but I think this matter was handled very poorly. Ones who will be effeced the most are only 3-4 year old little kids who think of their school as home away from home and their teachers are an extension of their mommy. A 2 week notice will not provide enough time to find a decent new pre-school and prepare a 4 year old for such a big change.
If money is the reason for closure, as a parent I will be ready to come up with extra tuition to keep my son where he feels safe and happy. If there are other matters, we need to know what they are so we can weigh our options.
I will do my best to be there on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ariana Kazanciyan

Letter From Roberta Deutschman - Grandparent & Early Childood Specialist

Letter to the Board from Roberta K. Deutschman,

Educator, Child Life Specialist ,Early Childhood Specialist, Preschool Director, Children’s Enrichment Coordinator.

“Our lives, begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am convinced that for the good of the whole community, the Board needs to stop the closing of the Lakeview Learning Center.

I have been a member of Lake II for 32 years. Both Lake I and Lake II share so many wonderful amenities from the pool area to tennis and basketball courts, event entertaining and gym areas. THE one main attraction Lake I has is it’s excellent Early Childhood Educational Center, the Lakeview Learning Center. This Lakeview Learning Center attracts families seeking excellence in quality education for their preschool age children.Choosing Preschools is a primary factor when choosing ‘where to live’. Early Childhood Education ‘matters’ to families in this community.

The Lakeview Learning Center is NAEYC accredited and it is only one of a few in the area to receive this achievement in excellence. NAEYC, National Association of the Education for Young Children, accredits Learning Centers who meet the highest of standards in education. The Lakeview Learning Center offers our community families the excellence in education including staffing, curriculum and physical environment.

It is imperative that as a community we recognize the Lakeview Learning Center and its capacities, talents, direction and mission. For our families this Center is a place to develop...emotionally, socially, cognitively and physically. This Center follows developmentally appropriate guidelines developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

I am ‘speaking out’ because it ‘matters’ and asking the Board to support Early Childhood Education and your outstanding Learning Center. Lake I Lakeview Learning Center is Early Childhood Education; it is not a Day Care. The learning experiences provided are NAEYC Accredited. We have an outstanding Learning Center in our community and we do not want to let it go!

It would be an ‘honor’ for the Board to support the Lakeview Learning Center and not a liability. Let’s acknowledge today’s difficult economic times , and ask Lake I Board to become our ‘Hero’ and come to the aid of our families.

I was a ‘founding’ director of the Preschool on Lake II and I know the community mission and services the association can provide for our families. An Early Childhood Center and one that is NAEYC accredited, and only a select few reach this honor, should continue to be the heart of our mission.

Marketing a preschool is no easy task. My children live on Lake I and only ‘stumbled’ on this Center....but because of its NAEYC accreditation, they enrolled without hesitation. This speaks highly of the developmental programs they provide. The Board needs to give this Preschool a chance. The Lakeview Learning Center is a value to the association and to the community at large.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta K. Deutschman

Letter From Parent - Kristen Guithues

Dear Cynthia,

I am a homeowner residing in Lake Forest and a member of the Lake Forest II Sun & Sail Club. I started searching for a quality preschool almost a year ago, with the plan for my now 4 year old to start preschool this Fall. Last February, I was thrilled to have met Cindy and registered my son with Lakeview. Most schools start registering for the Fall in early Spring.

I was completely disheartened to receive in the mail yesterday a letter from Lake Forest Community Association advising that it was decided that the Lakeview Learning Center is closing effective August 28, 2009. It seems to me careful consideration should have been given to those small children whose daily lives are completely being turned around. My son has not yet started but we’ve gone by several times and visited “his new school” and he’s extremely excited about it. He simply doesn’t understand how could someone “just close it down”…and frankly neither can I. Why not announce a decision of that magnitude at the start of the year advising it will close at the end of the year, thereby giving everyone plenty of notice and time to deal with the consequences. This decision, and this short notice, is so very disappointing.

How are we going to find an appropriate replacement when most of the schools filled their capacity last Spring? I take preschool very seriously and it will not be easy to find a suitable replacement. If money is the main reason, why not increase the tuition? The school’s rates were very competitive and could easily have justified an increase.


Kristen Guithues
Mother of Carter Guithues