The Carroll County juvenile facility that closed this month after a student died there is working to get another loan to avoid selling its buildings.
Bowling Brook Preparatory School in Keymar owes more than $1.7 million to Westminster Union Bank, according to a bank attorney who claims the school?s March 9 closure defaultedthe school?s loan.
“It is very, very possible we will be selling,” said Jennifer Munch, president of the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation, which started the school.
“We are … working with some sources to get another loan.”
The foundation has almost $4.23 million and the school nearly $2.5 million in total assets, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
The state medical examiner ruled as a homicide the death of Isaiah Simmons III, 17, of Baltimore City, who died Jan. 23 after a three-hour struggle with staff members.
The FBI has launched a separate investigation.
Many residents and community leaders were sad to see the 50-year-old institution close, including Del. Donald Elliott, R-Carroll and Frederick counties.
“I?m distressed at the turn of events,” Elliott said.
“Only four months ago, we were commending the work they had done. Over a number of years, they have done such an outstanding job, not only taking care of wayward youngsters but also their involvement with the community in so many different events, whether it be trying to [raise funds] for a mortgage at Union bridge town hall or help at the Lion?s Club crab feed. They were always there,” he said.
Raymond Richardson, “a generous man” from New Windsor, donated his wealth upon his death in 1954 to establish a corporation that would educate boys “who needed guidance and assistance away from their homes,” according to the school?s Web site.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
