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Financial difficulties threaten future of Solomon Schechter Day School

Posted at 11:32 PM, Dec 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-13 04:14:05-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A lack of funding could force Solomon Schechter Day School to close its doors for good as early as next week.

Even as time is running out to keep the school open; students are still eager to learn. The lesson Wednesday is Hebrew, but for several days it has also been dealing with disappointment.

Noa Hirsh is 5-years-old and in kindergarten at Schechter.

"It makes me sad,” she said.

Schechter has fallen on hard times. A GoFundMe page was created to raise $500,000 to stay open until the end of the semester.

Noa’s mother, Judi Hirsh, said her daughter had a meltdown when she learned the school was in danger of closing.

“Our kids have their whole lives to be with cold people,” Hirsh said. “And they are so nourishing and warm to these kids," Hirsh said.

In the middle of the school year, Judi is trying to find a new school for two of her kids even though she and other parents hope to raise enough money to restructure and somehow keep the school open.

Nancy Kane’s son is in fifth grade, and her older son also attended Schechter.

“It's a family. It's more than just a school,” Kane said.

Her son Jason described Schechter as the “best school” and went on to say he would miss his teachers and friends.

But enrollment is down, and now less than 100 students attend classes at the private Jewish school.

"A lot of families feel like a charter school is similar to a private school education but for free,” Kane said.

"We were in shock,” said Iris Ozer, who teaches Hebrew and art at the school.

After 12 years Ozer is being forced out of her classroom and into an uncertain future.

“You know what my students in first grade said? Let's sell our toys and maybe with the money we could keep the school running.," Ozer said.