Teachers, families in financial ‘scramble’ from preschool’s abrupt closure

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Parents and teachers say they are in a lurch after their preschool abruptly closed its doors, leaving behind a series of debts and unanswered questions.

The teachers of Growing Seeds North told KOIN 6 News they started getting bounced paychecks back in June, then they stopped getting paychecks at all.

Several teachers claim they confronted the owner, Nashae Lawrence, to say they would not work for free, but their checks never came. Eventually, it was the teachers who let parents know the school was closed.

“I was expecting it to eventually, like, just have to file for bankruptcy or close down,” said Nylee Simon, a former Growing Seeds North teacher. “But I wasn’t expecting it to be like this.”

Now some teachers have negative bank accounts. Oscar Lopez said the school owes him $3,000.

“I can’t pay rent,” Lopez said. “I can’t buy food.”

Meanwhile, parents who had already paid their August tuition say they were left without a refund. When they reached out to the school, they claim they heard crickets.

Michelle Westall said her family has not heard from the school in a week, adding that “it seems like they’ve just disappeared, so we don’t know if they’re officially closed or what’s happening.”

Another parent, Ashley Wuertzer, said the experience has been hard — both emotionally and financially.

“We’ve had to scramble,” Wuertzer said. “We’re out, you know, thousands of dollars for child care. We have to find other childcare. Portland is kind of a childcare desert.”

KOIN 6 News made several attempts to contact the owner, her husband and their subdirector. The newsroom has yet to hear back.

“To disrespect us in such a way,” parent Elisa Dominguez said. “To like, just refuse to communicate, refuse to apologize, refuse to be transparent is just – I mean – it’s angering. It’s disappointing.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the school’s former teachers.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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Amanda Rhodes contributed to this report.

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