Financial woes doom Eckerd Academy
Eckerd tried to improve the economic outlook and maintain the local academy through consolidation and fundraising, but the facility is now beyond saving.
The official word came Friday that Eckerd Academy near Brooksville will close Aug. 30 for financial reasons.
“We’re all sad by it,” said Gregory Holeman, the chief development officer for Eckerd. “Our focus continues to be with our kids and their families and we will always look to do what is best for them.
“We’re doing everything we can to help them continue their therapeutic and academic gains.”
At last count, there were 21 boys living at the Brooksville academy. Plans are under way to transfer them to other facilities throughout Florida.
Eckerd Academy at Brooksville, founded in 1968 and originally named E-How-Kee, is a private residential treatment center that provides a camp-like setting and lifestyle for troubled boys ages 10 to 17. Every resident is offered individualized academic and therapeutic treatment, including fully accredited education, group and individual counseling, recreational activities, room and board.
Similar private residential treatment academies across the country are suffering through similar difficulties due to the economy, according to an Eckerd media release.
“As a not-for-profit entity, we unfortunately cannot continue to sustain ongoing financial losses that have recently averaged about $50,000 each month,” wrote Chief Operating Officer Ron Zychowski in the release. “We arrived at this difficult decision only after every other avenue was exhausted. Since we won’t compromise on the quality of our staff or our programming, we believe the best course of action is to proceed with closing the facility even though it saddens us to do so.”
Holeman said the Eckerd Youth Challenge Porgram, a Department of Juvenile Justice residential program for boys, will continue to operate elsewhere on the 800-acre Eckerd property. It is operated by Eckerd, but is separate from the academy.
In January, Eckerd announced it would change back to being an all-male facility. It had been co-educational for about 10 years. The 10 girls who previously stayed at Eckerd were transferred to the all-female Camp E-Nini-Hassee in Floral City.
Holeman said the consolidation was a “strategic move” to help both camps. The Floral City location continues to be economically solvent, he said.
There are 30 staffers employed at the Brooksville location. All of them will have the opportunity to transfer to another facility if they so desire, said Holeman.
