FUMA downsizes to free up aid funds

An increase in the number of cadets who need financial aid has caused the Fork Union Military Academy to downsize its staff to make ends meet, an academy spokesman said Monday.

The academy has eliminated the equivalent of 13 full-time positions over the last month. Dan Thompson, spokesman for the military boarding school, said the school has already awarded financial aid to 40 percent of cadets, or about 200 of more than 440 applicants. Last year, the school gave financial aid to 30 percent of applicants.
The additional $1 million in aid wasn’t part of the school’s budget. Thompson said the eliminated staff and support posts were a combination of unfilled jobs and temporary and full-time positions.
“It will have very little effect on anything directly related to students,” Thompson said.

When asked if additional staff reductions would be coming, Thompson said the school believes the cuts would be enough but isn’t ruling out future downsizing. The spokesman said the academy previously has eliminated positions, although not at this scale.
The college preparatory academy for young men in grades 6 to 12 employs more than 200 people.