Norbel School's Attorney: 'It's a Tragedy'

 is "still in discussions" with lenders, according to its attorney, but it has run out of money to operate.

Earlier in the week, attorney Harry Siegel wrote in a press release that  unless enrollment increased and "appropriate financial arrangements can be made" with the bank by July 1.

On the eve of the deadline, the picture Siegel painted was bleak.

"The school hasn’t been able to pay a penny back to the bank," said Siegel, of Norbel's purchasing the building at 6135 Old Washington Road in Elkridge.

Tuition at the private school runs between $22,000 and $24,00 per year, depending on grade level.

But declining enrollments meant that tuition wasn't covering costs. Over the past five years, enrollment at Norbel School dropped 40 percent, said Siegel.

"To make payroll every couple of weeks ... was a constant struggle throughout the entire year," said Siegel. "Norbel worked heroically with parents and the community to come up with enough money to keep it going for the school year." 

As a result of Norbel closing, more than 20 teachers will have lost their jobs. "Some teachers were married, so now they're both out of work," said Siegel.

Children enrolled at Norbel have different challenges, either in the form of unorthodox learning styles or disorders like autism. Siegel said he did not know where the students might be placed for school but that administrators were working with families to create individual plans.

Some parents are considering starting their own school, according to the Baltimore Sun. Supporters include a few teachers and Norbel's former admissions director, who said in the article that he hoped to help recreate the environment that allowed children to thrive, an environment that was "'not defined by a building.'"

Administrators were also working with teachers for outplacement, said Siegel.

"I just think that it’s such a tragedy to the community, to the students and to the teachers that the economy has hit ... such a special population," said Siegel. "It's a tragedy. There’s really no other word for it than that."