Heritage Montessori School Seeking Donations After Estate Halts Funding

Following winter break, 13 staff members returned to their jobs without pay. 

The school's operating expense account had been closed since Dec. 16, but the staff continued working as the school addressed the sudden halt to funding.

"It's been a tumultuous roller coaster ride, but every one of the staff members stuck it out," said Linda Molino, the school's new owner and academic head.

Molino's responsibilities at the school changed dramatically after the estate executor, who had owned the school, decided to cut off funding. Suddenly, she went from teaching classes in the school's elementary program to juggling legal disputes and planning .

It's a common misconception that the school is funded by the Perry Hall Methodist Church on Belair Road, in which it is located, said Molino. In fact, she said, her school makes regular donations to the church to cover the costs of utilities and using the building.

Catherine Szeto, a former member of the church, founded the school in 1981 in Joppatowne before moving it to Perry Hall in 1983, according to the school website. 

Born in Hong Kong, Szeto was a scholar, mathematician and musician in the Montessori method, a hands-on, self-directed approach to early education. After a long illness, she died at age 62 on May 8, 2008, leaving her estate, including the school's operating funds, to her brother Kenneth Szeto.

She had no children of her own.

"The students were her children," said Molino.

Two and a half years after Catherine's death, the estate's representative notified Heritage administrators that the school of about 70 students needed to find alternative funding or close immediately.

Julie Rozankowski, whose son attends the Stepping Stones Program, said that a January meeting, where faculty discussed the situation with parents, was an emotional experience.

"I was devastated, I felt like we found this little gem of a school and I wanted that opportunity for my son to continue," said Rozankowski, a stay-at-home mother of two.

Faculty members' biggest concern was maintaining a consistent experience for the students, she said, despite imminent changes at the school.

"They've handled this with absolute professionalism," said Rozankowsk. "It's children first and the business second."

Some parents decided to make early tuition payments, while others made donations, said school Director Melodie Sachs, whose three children each attended the school.

One 11-year-old student recently asked his family and friends to donate to the school instead of buying him gifts for his birthday, Sachs said.

Tuition and fees at the school range from about $6,000 to $14,000 per school year, depending on the child's age group and time commitment.

The school's prices are at or below average, compared to other specialty schools in the area, said Sachs, but she admits that Montesorri education can be expensive. "Parents make hard choices to send their children here," she said.

While tuition and fees will provide enough money to sustain the school in the future, said Sachs, are needed to carry the school through that process.

Sachs and Molino estimate that about $75,000 must be raised to keep the school operating into next year, although up to $200,000 would more fully cover costs. Families of the students have already raised more than $18,000, they said.

Faculty members are trying to stay positive, said Sachs.

"This is a decision of the estate—this is how we're dealing with it," she said. "Even if we don't like the position we're in, we don't have to invest our energy into being resentful of the position we're in."

Molino added, "We are going to stay open."