Hinsdale Center for the Arts Making 'Best Effort' to Refund Families

A board member for the says the center is going through the process of liquidating its assets and will try to refund families of students enrolled in summer courses that were ongoing when the decision to close the center was made last month.

"Most of our summer classes had been completed before we were forced to close, but a few classes still had students enrolled through Aug. 11," reads an email to Patch from Jan Tuthill, who served as the board's secretary and has been the center's spokesperson through its closing. "A letter to those students is being (or has already been) sent, letting them know how tremendously sorry we are to advise that the center was forced to cease operation as of July 26, 2012, and that if they had any remaining paid classes, that the center will make its best effort to refund them upon liquidation of its assets."

The Doings Hinsdale reported on July 31 that former HCA teachers have been told that they might not receive all the pay that they are owed. The story quoted art teacher Madeline Shea.

On July 25, The Doings quoted Tuthill as saying the board voted unanimously to close on July 18 after a five-hour meeting. Tuthill says in the story that the organization has been operating on a budget in the $700,000 range during fiscal year 2012, a decrease from fiscal year 2008, when the HCA brought in $1 million in revenue.

"We're asking and hoping for the patience and understanding of everyone during this very difficult time," Tuthill's email to Patch read. "And it is a very difficult time."

Was your child enrolled in a summer class that was cut short by the HCA's decision to close? Tell us how you feel in the comments.