Obstacles lead to New Salem Baptist Academy's close

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The seats of New Salem Baptist Academy in Marble Hill will be empty this school year, as school officials decided to suspend classes because of unusually low enrollment numbers, staffing shortages and rising operating costs.

The Rev. Randy Poole, pastor of New Salem Baptist Church and adviser to the school, said that years ago, the school administration may have been able to keep the academy open during the coming school year. But the trifecta of obstacles facing the school created what he called a "perfect storm" that forced its doors closed for the school year.

"It just seemed like it would be an impossible struggle," Poole said. "That kind of thing happens when you already feel like you're in a weak position."

Enrollment numbers were down from 63 last year to 23 this year. Two staff members did not return to teach for unrelated reasons.

Because the academy did not raise tuition rates to compensate for rising costs, it no longer could afford to stay open, Poole said.

The academy banked on enrolling more students to make up for rising operating costs, and though the church picked up some of the tab, there was not enough outside monetary support to pay for incidental fees.

"When you get down to those numbers, those numbers are real critical," he said. "I mean, they are impossible without a lot of outside funding."

Poole said the idea of a learning center, where students would learn in one room, was a suggestion not everyone favored, so they did not move forward with the idea.

"We didn't feel like we could do the quality that we wanted," Poole said of a one-room environment.

For now, most students will transfer to the Woodland School District in Marble Hill, he said.

As for teaching students next year at the academy, Poole said it could happen.

"I see it as a possibility," he said. "I've had moments when I thought it was more possible, but I wouldn't say it is unlikely. I'm still hopeful."

To start the ball rolling in the hopes of achieving higher enrollment in the next school year, Poole said administrators will campaign for pre-enrollment. They will be able to better evaluate the enrollment situation and gain an idea of numbers before the current school term ends, giving parents and students advance notice of the school's prospects.

Poole said keeping the school open in coming years is up to not only the school administrators, but also to parents and people of the community.

"We don't have those resources to just do what we want to do," he said.

The school tried its best to keep the facility going with the help of parents, and Poole said he thinks they did a good job.

"It really has always been a work of faith," Poole said. "[You] move as the door opens, and as opportunity comes and as opportunity goes."

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