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North House Folk School Director Greg Wright came before the Grand Marais City Council on March 31 and discussed the 2020 financial report and the effects the pandemic had on the school. Along the way Greg shared a couple of stories to illustrate his point.
The months of January and February were record setters as 2020 started off with a bang, he said. “They were the best January and February in our history. That’s pretty great stuff.”
That highlight was followed by the coronavirus pandemic, and everything ground to a halt as the school closed so staff and administration could plan for an uncertain future. Not knowing when the pandemic would end, Wright said plans were made for three, six, even nine months ahead. “Little did we know 18 months later we would still be dealing with this.”
With the campus closed, North House launched a program called Crafting in Place. Online instructors guided participants in making various crafts and the program was successful, though Wright noted, “We learned digital programming can’t replace in-person classes. It is an important tool, but it isn’t at the heart of what North House is about.” All of the free on-campus programming for elementary and high school students were cancelled, but instead, staff made project kits for all of Cook County’s elementary kids to do at home. Just to let them know they weren’t forgotten. “You do this,” said Gregg, not because it’s profitable, but “because it matters.”
With the budget hit hard, staff worked at 75 percent of their normal work schedule and everyone took a two-week furlough. Tough stuff indeed, but everyone retained their job.
Wright explained that when you make your living through hands-on teaching and that’s taken away, to survive, staff had to be “purposeful, nimble, and creative.”
During budget planning North House administration figured there would be a drop off in donations because so many people’s jobs were interrupted by the pandemic. However, instead of a planned 30 percent reduction in financial gifts, there was a 25 percent increase in giving over previous years. That, said Wright, “Shows that the community was not kind of behind you, but really behind you.”
Going forward, enrollment for 2021 is strong. Three classrooms have been arranged with COVID-19 protocols in place so in-person teaching can be conducted safely. Classes for March were filled to capacity, he said, adding that as opportunity presents, North House will add more in-person classes, “As long as we can teach safely.”
While there wasn’t the usual publication of spring and fall class catalogs last year, Wright said the hope is those publications will resume for 2022.
“Next year is our 25th anniversary. It’s a big year for us,” he said.
North House by the numbers
Understandably, North House was severely impacted by the pandemic, closing most in-person classes throughout the year and instead offering a litany of courses online.
While the city council meeting was held remotely, Wright said he was happy to give the annual report on camera to council members and then take questions from them. Because of the pandemic last year, he submitted his report in writing and wasn’t able to gain much feedback.
Wright started by saying he has often been asked three key questions. “How did the pandemic impact North House financially?
“How did the pandemic affect classes and programs for the past year? And “What are the plans for 2021 and 2022?”
Comparing 2020 to 2019, most categories were down 20 to 50 percent. However, there were a couple of bright spots. Memberships and contributions were up 25 percent over the previous year, and MACP grants were up 12 percent.
Noting these figures were pre-audit, the total 2020 income was $1,604,040 versus $2,216,163 from 2019, a decline of 28 percent. Total 2020 expenses were $1,565,462 versus $2,204,795, which was off 29 percent from 2019. This year, however, excess revenue over expenditures was $38,578 compared to $11,368 in 2019.
During the months of April, May and June North House was closed. All classes, online or in-person, were shut down while staff worked on a game plan for the rest of the year.
The effect of that shutdown was dramatic. Catalog classes ended at 880 for the year compared to 2,918 the previous year.
Student days per month were significantly down from last year’s 7,058-record number and while the first two months were up from 2019, once North House closed and the pandemic didn’t go away, the on-campus school numbers from July through November were off about a thousand student days per month.
Those missing students also impacted the city and surrounding businesses through lost revenue, noted Wright.
More challenges coming
So, even though the pandemic is still here, and the coronavirus will have to be accounted for in class preparations, North House will also be faced with road construction on Highway 61, which will close North House’s Fifth Avenue driveway.
That construction will lead to the building of a new service drive in collaboration with the Angry Trout, and a new foot path that will lead into the recreation park. Other issues will undoubtedly come up but overall, the pandemic’s hold is thought to be loosening its grip on society as a “new” normal is emerging.
“This past year has underscored that North House is fortunate to have a strong and invested community of friends, partners, students, instructors and supporters.”
And despite the great disruptions, interruptions, and setbacks, North House remains on sound financial ground, Wright told the city council.
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