Tough lesson

By Lia Bichel
PARENTS fear they will never see thousands of dollars of pre-paid fees after the ICA Casey College went into voluntary administration.
Principal Mark Robertson said he was shocked when they were informed on Melbourne Cup Day the Narre Warren South and Melton school would go into voluntary administration, with JP Downey and Co taking over.
Parents quickly formed a Save Our School group, with many voicing their concerns about being out of pocket thousands of dollars.
Many also worried about their children’s future, but that may be relieved with the administrators receiving more than 35 expressions of interest for a tender.
Gio Santin said he had paid $22,140 in advance for next year’s fees for his two daughters, in Grade 4 and 6.
“We thought it was going to a trust account, and if we leave the school or something goes sour we get our money back,” Mr Santin said.
“We asked the administrators to look into it but we haven’t had any answers. We are very frustrated and angry. It’s a very stressful time. We have to find another school for our kids and pay fees for them, but we don’t even know if our money will be reimbursed.”
Bernadette Hanna, a single mother, said she lost about $32,000 in fees.
“My son is a bright kid and I wanted to get him a good education,” she said.
“I borrowed it against my house to pay for my son from Year 7 to 12. He finishes Year 7 this year, so I should be refunded about $32,000.
“I have lost five kilos since hearing the news. To me, it’s a hell of a lot of money.”
Mr Santin said there were many parents in a similar situation, andbelieved there was over $70,000 paid in advance.
JP Downey and Co administrator Jim Downey said he could not confirm or deny if parents would get their money back.
“We don’t know one way or another yet,” he said.
“Hopefully we will know next week.”
Parent group liaison Kylie Catheray said she had spoken to many parents who were not only concerned about finances, but worried about their children’s well-being.
Her son, who is in Year 6, was enrolled at the school this year after struggling in other schools.
Ms Catheray said she worried about the psychological toll it would have on him and other students if they were to change schools and leave their friends.
“My son has found a place where he fits in. He has great friends and is thriving,” she said.
“Other students are getting upset at school and breaking down in tears. They feel they are being forced to go to a school they don’t want to go to. They don’t want to split it up from friends. It’s difficult watching these kids go through such heartache.”
Ms Catheray said parents were also worried about the long-term career implications students could face.
“Some older students missed the chance to choose their electives and may have to take whatever is left at other schools,” she said. “They are stuck with whatever is available. This has caused huge concerns.”
Mr Robertson said though the news came as a shock, he was pleased that the school would remain open until the end of term and remained hopeful for the future.
“We are grateful to the State Government for funding our schools to the tune of $1.5million so that we can continue to operate through to Friday 3 December. If this did not happen our school would have closed on the day after Cup Day,” he said.
“I am very hopeful that our school is taken over by another reputable school and that many of our students continue to learn in this wonderful environment.”
Mr Downey said he hoped to announce a successful tender for the school by the end of this week.