‘CCA closes with honor, integrity’

Calvary Christian Academy principal and administrator Scott Norman has quit his post as private school coalition chief following the announcement that his school will close down in the wake of the island’s plummeting economy.

In a visit to his office Friday, Norman cited the worsening economic situation as the sole culprit behind the decision to close down, saying it has gravely impacted the ability of families to send their children to school.

“This decision has not been made lightly. We weighed this decision for days and months and honestly it’s not easy,” he told Saipan Tribune, as he recalled his last week’s moment with parents, who were all disheartened by the decision.

Calvary Christian Academy has been in existence for nearly 30 years since being founded in 1983. Throughout the years, it has had sustainable enrollment of between 170 and 200 students each year. But three years ago, Norman said, their enrollment began to dip, going down to 160 enrollees from kindergarten to 12th grade. A year ago, the number further went down to 140. This last school year, it was at 132.

Having only 130 students, Norman said, means 40 less than what they need to successfully operate classes. CCA, he said, is heavily dependent on tuition and educational tax credit donations.

“We have successfully operated for nearly 30 years because of strong enrollment. But the economy continues to plummet and it’s affecting parents,” he said.

He cited the same factor for the exodus of families and business on island. Also, the continued cuts in the work hours of some parents forced them to transfer their children to public schools, he said.

Norman disclosed that they started discussions about closing the school as early as February but opted to announce the final decision after the school year ends.

“We made our decision in late April but we chose not to say anything to the public and our parents because we wanted our school year to end quietly and calmly and it did,” he said.

CCA sent letters to parents on June 2 and then met with private school coalition members and the Board of Education.

“It’s an economic decision. We know this is the right time to make the announcement because we want to close with honor and with integrity. We have a good reputation in the community and even though we’re closing, all our teachers and staff have been paid. As far as our current liability is concerned, CCA is debt-free,” he revealed.

CCA has 12 teachers and three staffers, many of whom are planning to leave the island.

But for Norman’s family, “Saipan is still home for us…we will stay.”

Although classes will stop, the CCA administrative office will remain open indefinitely to assist all its students transition to other schools smoothly, Norman said.

In his message to the community, Norman said: “I wish every parent and student the very best. This has been a difficult decision. While you know that you are hurting, it hurts us likewise. We cannot begin to imagine how you must feel. But we will all continue on and be strong in the days ahead. Thank you for all the support you all have shown to CCA for many years.”

CCA offered kindergarten classes to 12th grade. It started out as an elementary school from K-6th grade. In 1997, it begun building its junior and senior high school. CCA had its first senior class in 2001.