The Yelm Community Blog has received a statement from officials at the Rainier-based Children’s School of Excellence (CSE) announcing the unique school’s closure:

“CSE had been struggling to keep the doors of the school open and did so only by operating under a deficit budget…

Last night [Dec. 21st], faced with lowered enrollment and a shrinking economic outlook, the Board of Trustees met and with a majority vote decided to close the doors of the school. Effective December 21, 2010, the non-profit corporation called Childrens School of Excellence has been dissolved. With assistance from OSPI and PNAIS, CSE will be taking all necessary steps for its dissolution including providing accounting statements for donors.”

CSE’s President Bill Hashim told the Yelm Community Blog:
“This was a heart-wrenching decision. It was not unanimous [to close the school].
CSE leaves a 12 year legacy rooted in the belief that every child came to us with a reservoir of extraordinary possibilities. It was our privilege and our dream to elicit the best from each of them.”

The inspiration of this fine school began with CSE founder & trustee Marjorie Layden, whose passion has led the efforts for over two decades of providing quality education for so many children. A recent example was the announcement of CSE Alum, Alex Miller, 07, receiving four college acceptance letters from the four to which she applied: Washington State University, Whitworth University, Boise State University and Dean College.
Alex scored 1880 on the SAT and was nominated for the Distinguished Regents Scholarship, WSUs premier scholarship program that recognizes exceptional academic achievement and accomplishments.

CSE’s community support made news annually with their fundraisers exceeding those of the Yelm Community Schools for many years, co-chaired by Linda Evans, and served by fine auctioneers of the Schorno Family.
Rep. Tom Campbell (R, Roy) and his wife Lynn joined the 2009 CSE Auction as guests.
Sir Robert Jones loved this school and made news with his annual & stunning winning-bids for clothing items donated by JZ Knight & worn by Ramtha, the Enlightened One. Then-CSE Board of Trustees President Omey Nandyal gave a touching tribute on June 27, 2010 naming scholarships after recently-deceased CSE supporter Sir Robert – the Sir Robert Jones Scholarship.

The school’s statement closed with this:
“With sadness, yes, but with much gratitude for every demanding, rewarding moment, we leave you with a few precious memories.”
CLICK HERE for the video.

The remarkable legacy of CSE is that this little school was in the 12th year of educating area children in an environment of true excellence.

The CSE statement added:
“Our staff will find new positions of purpose and professional fulfillment; our parents will find opportunities for their children to thrive and grow; and our children our beautiful children they will find new adventures, new lessons, new friends and, to the delight of us all new ways to bring joy and promise to our world.”

BEST WISHES TO ALL OF THE CSE FAMILY IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
THE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
RAINIER, WA.
1999-2010

UPDATE: Dec. 23rd, 12:32pm
Imperfect storm
School districts dont yet know the full impact of the proposed state budget cuts.
Yelm, Rainier weather big state cuts
By Melanie Lockhart
Nisqually Valley News