Eastminster School has faced tough funding times in the past and managed to pull through, but this year could be its last, according to administrators.

Headmaster Blake Craft sent a message to parents last week announcing that, “Eastminster School will no longer exist in its present structure at the end of this school year.”

The school’s board of trustees voted to enter into restructuring “in order to manage the debt load the school faces,” wrote Craft. The school will finish out the 2014-2015 school year. Parents were asked to make plans “in case Eastminster is forced to close.”

“The process is expected to take several months. The future of the school is uncertain beyond the present school year.”
The future is uncertain, wrote Craft, but he added “There may be a group of committed parents who would like to see Easminster School emerge from restructuring and continue.”

“If the debt load is restructured favorably, it may be possible for Eastminster to emerge as a strong viable institution.”
Last year, Eastminster rallied with a fundraising campaign that went to parents and to the community to keep the private, secular school going. It was able to raise an annual fund of $197,000 and at least 120 student contracts by May 16.

Founded in 2004, the 501(c)(3) institution started with elementary grade classes and has grown to its current K-12 education with 137 students. According to the school, it ranked at the top one percent nationally from the Iowa Test of Basic Skill results. In 2014, it saw its inaugural senior class graduate three students with scholarship offerings exceeding $700,000.