http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/art ... news01.txtFormer CEDU schools to reopen
Posted: Friday, Oct 07, 2005 - 01:40:50 pm PDT
By ELIZABETH CIEPIELA
Hagadone News Network
Universal Health Services hiring teachers, staff; hopes to open by
Nov. 1
BONNERS FERRY -- Former CEDU teachers and staff are heading back to
work.
Universal Health Services, which bought the therapeutic schools
following CEDU's abrupt closure and bankruptcy this summer, has been
working to reopen the schools since its $10 million bid was approved
by a U.S. bankruptcy court.
UHS, which hopes to reopen by Nov. 1, has been hiring former CEDU
staff, applying for a state license, fixing buildings and recruiting
students. The company plans to open the school under the name Idaho
Educational Services.
"Since the time of the bankruptcy its been a tenuous time for
students and staff alike," said Paul Johnson, executive director of
Boulder Creek Academy. "Most students have gone on to find placement
or have gone on home.
However, Johnson said there are a few students who may return to the
Idaho schools.
"We have been talking with consultants regarding different families
to see if we would be an appropriate place for any children," he
added.
Returning to staffing levels found at the time of the March
bankruptcy will probably be a two-year process, said Tai Kemonick,
IES director of human resources for North Idaho.
Combined staffing at the schools will number 60 to 70 by year's end,
152 by the end of 2006 and 200 by the end of 2007, said Kemonic.
To date, 42 former CEDU staff have been hired by IES, mostly in top
management positions, Kemonick said. The supervisor for the
properties is Bob Deney, the western regional vice president for
UHS. Monday, seven previous Ascent employees were hired.
"They are very much committed to using folks in this community,"
Johnson said of UHS. "They want to have safe programs."
Johnson was named executive director of Boulder Creek Academy, Ruth
McKnight was named executive director of Northwest Academy and
Denise Forbregd was named executive director of the Ascent
Wilderness Program.
Rocky Mountain Academy will remain closed for about a year while
staff research the appropriate market niche, said Doug McKnight,
director of business operations, who is helping get the schools
licensed.
"We've already gotten calls from parents who had this crisis going
on. It's an immediate enrollment," Forbregd said of Ascent.
While IES staff expect Ascent to open between Oct. 17 and Nov. 1,
the other two programs are tentatively set to open Nov. 1.
Enrollment will grow slowly: Boulder Creek Academy will begin with
four students, with three or four students added per month. The
academy should have 42 enrolled by the end of 2006.
Northwest Academy should open with four students in November and by
the end of 2006 enrollment should reach 51 students. Ascent is
projected to begin in October with seven, and end 2006 with 31.
"Its definitely great news," Boundary County economic development
coordinator Robin Ponsness said. "It's going to be great for our
local economy to have it back up and running. These jobs are
important because they're professional jobs."
Once the schools open again, Johnson hopes for one more positive
change -- he wants a closer connection with the community. He
envisions involvement in community service projects that directly
affect and help those in need.
