May 17, 2010

We write to share with you some exciting news about Inspiring Minds: A Campaign for North Cross School. After taking a hard look at the current campaign, the economic climate and the primary needs of the school, the Board of Trustees of North Cross School has voted to begin construction in the summer of 2011 on a complete renovation of the middle school. This renovation will be as comprehensive as originally planned; however, it will not include moving the fifth grade into the middle school building. While there are benefits to that move, our fifth grade currently is an excellent program and will continue to be so. Excluding the additions required to move the fifth grade enables us to reduce the cost of the building significantly, which allows us to pursue a more desirable construction timeline in order for our students to gain use of the building as soon as possible. The new campaign goal is $3.5 million, down from the original $6 million, and the campaign will end on October 31, 2010.

Many factors have contributed to this decision. The Board recognizes that in this economy raising $6 million is daunting. If we continue with our original campaign goal, the length of the campaign would extend indefinitely, which would mean more and more students would not have the benefit of a renovated middle school. An extended campaign would also preclude our ability to take advantage of the lower construction costs that are now available.

A campaign of this size will enable us to completely redo the middle school, as was done with the lower school 10 years ago, changing the experience of those who teach and learn there, upgrading fixtures and furniture, classrooms and laboratories, and providing new equipment and technology. We will air condition the building and redo the facade in bricks to match the rest of the campus.

We thank you for all the support we have received to date and trust that you will appreciate the many variables we have considered while weighing the pros and cons of extending the capital campaign even further in pursuit of our original plan versus making the modification to the plan and moving forward with a more immediate time line. We currently stand at $2.4 million in existing pledges and ask for your continued support as we make the final push to $3.5 million.

We are very excited about making this vision a reality and greatly appreciate your support in making it so as we pursue the final $1.1 million.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Seeley, Headmaster
George B. Cartlege III, '82, Campaign Co-chair
Elwyn G. Murray III, Campaign Co-chair