Watershed Financial

Dear Friends of Watershed High School,I want to thank you for your time, finances and services over the last month. Your contributions since “Rock on Water” the first, of what many agree should become an annual, concert organized by Watershed students resulted in an unbelievable outcome.

Your immense outpouring of support around the metro and across the nation raised $11,085. Not only did Watershed benefit from your donations but the excitement surrounding Rock on Water attracted the attention of Minnesota Public Radio, the Star Tribune and Kare 11 news. Between the radio segment, the newspaper article and the TV interview with the Alarmists, interest in the school is up and new students are starting almost weekly.

As promised, a selection of recordings will be available in the near future. The preliminary mix down is finished and we hope to have the CD and a download available very soon.

The state has approved our three year financial plan which means they will not force us to close the doors. We are still about $40,000 short of our goal. This month the board will meet to decide how and where we’ll need to adjust to cover this gap. Part of the conditions from the state requires that we maintain our educational program if any cuts are decided. This translates to between a 4-8% salary cut depending on the fiscal benefit of the new students.

Given all the setbacks this year morale is still high, the students have a new perspective of their abilities and the parent community is working creatively with the faculty on a regular basis. Watershed is not your traditional school providing the traditional education. It is wonderful to see that our community approaches adversity with a cohesiveness to get things done and prevent similar pitfalls in the future.

With sincere appreciation,
Jamie Hepner,
Dean of Students