February 1, 2010

Dear Saint James Church and Saint James School Families,

We hope and pray that this finds all of you recovered and healthy after the Christmas and New Year Holidays. In the midst of this Epiphany season and with Lent on the horizon, it is our prayer that God will continue to reveal the love of Christ to us and grant us his peace through the Holy Spirit.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the School and the Vestry of the Church, we write to share with you important information regarding the School. The last couple of years have been difficult for many reasons, none more so than the declining economy, and the effect this had on school enrollment. Earlier this year, the Church provided the School with much needed financial support and underpinning. This funding was critical to ensure a stable on-going operation for the school and its administration. As with most major financial arrangements there were guidelines and requirements that needed to be met on both a short term and long term basis. The Vestry required that they become more actively involved in providing guidance and counsel to the school's day to day leadership. This interaction was complicated and difficult under our current structure of School Board and Vestry whereby the Head of School reported to the Board. In an effort to streamline the interaction and decision making between the Vestry and the school's leadership it was necessary to change our current organizational structure. The Board of Trustees have chosen to resign their seats on the school's Board and have agreed unanimously that the Vestry and Rector should begin providing guidance and counsel to the day to day leadership of the Saint James School. The Board of Trustees have worked tirelessly to provide a stable, nurturing, environment for the students of St James. In resigning they do so to allow for the continued success and prosperity of the school.

This letter is intended to not only inform you of these changes, but to assure you that the leadership of the school, directed by Mr. Harry deMontmollin, continues to have at the forefront of their minds both an ongoing commitment of providing a safe, wholesome and excellent Christian academic atmosphere for your children while insuring a long lasting viable and affordable institution. Saint James Episcopal Day School has been in our community for 50 plus years and we fully intend for it to be here for 50 plus more.

Those with children enrolled in the school recently received re-enrollment packets with an attached tuition schedule. We are pleased to announce to you that we have immediately begun to make Saint James a more affordable day school by lowering those fees to what we believe is a more appropriate and competitive level. Enclosed you will find a revised tuition schedule, including increased multi-child discounts. If you have already sent your child's re-enrollment form to the school, the fees will be adjusted accordingly and if a refund is due, it will be forthcoming.

As we continue to move through the balance of this school year and as we look with enthusiasm to the 2010-2011 academic year, we are committed to keeping you informed via 'Weekly Words' and/or regular mail. At any time, should you want to visit with the Rector or with the Head of School, please do not hesitate to call or simply drop by. Know that you are always welcome in this Episcopal Church and School.

Sincerely,

The Board of Trustees St James Episcopal School