Topics / EDUCATION : School Seeks a Way Out of Debt
When word spread among teachers that an Altadena school was in debt and scheduled to close last spring, they turned to Iraj Broomand for help.
In August, Broomand stepped in as executive director of Escalon, a nonprofit private school for children with learning and emotional disabilities.
Broomand declined to discuss how much debt Escalon was in, but said it was “a great deal.” As school director, he is negotiating agreements with the creditors, which will then be presented to Atty. Gen. Daniel E. Lungren. If Lungren rejects the agreements, Escalon may still be closed, Broomand said.
Broomand revived a school with similar problems in 1986. Stirling Academy in Reseda had 17 students and was faced with financial debt and closure, but it has grown to 50 students under Broomand’s direction. He continues as executive director of the school.
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Escalon has 60 students ages 8 to 18 who receive specialized attention.
“It would be a shame if Escalon closed,” Broomand said. “Hopefully, we will not put a lot of kids on the streets.”
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