However, even thought the concerts were not held when schools were closed, Strathmore Hall was still being paid by the Board of Education. Why?
This is another no bid, no contract, no discussion vote of the Board of Education. These items appear on the Board of Education's Consent calendar without supporting documentation or justification for these expenditures.
In calendar year 2021, the payments to the Strathmore Hall Foundation total at least $249,155.
My Two Cents is a weekly opinion column from Bethesda resident Joseph Hawkins. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of BethesdaNow.com.
Recently, BethesdaNow reported that the small, 250-seat music venue in White Flint to be operated by Strathmore will open this fall.
I love live music and I try especially hard to take in at least one event a month. In April, I saw Hugh Masekela at Birchmere and Kenny Barron at University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (I’m really fond of the Kay Theater and its intmacy — not a bad seat in the house). Later this month, I’ll see El DeBarge at the Howard Theatre.
Still, I’m going to ask a question that’s perhaps a bit music-unfriendly. Do we need really need another music venue? I’m asking purely from a financial angle, because I find it hard to believe that most venues turn a profit.
Recently, one Bethesda music venue actually went public with its money problems. We now know that after one year in operation, the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club in downtown Bethesda has yet to turn a profit. The club is asking for county help to fund sound and lighting equipment it thought would be left over from the theater’s last tenant.
Perhaps their $35 Sunday brunch gospel special isn’t special enough.
I got to wondering whether the big dog on the block, Strathmore, turns a profit.
It doesn’t.
Frankly, the Strathmore financials surprised me. (I applaud Strathmore for putting their financials on their website. Many Montgomery County nonprofit organizations seem afraid to share this info.)
For 2012, Strathmore’s operating expenses were $8,426,877. Income was $5,483,932. That is a deficit of $2,942,945. I would say the place is bleeding cash. (I reached out to discuss the issue with Strathmore officials, to no avail.)
In its IRS 990 — the federal tax submission required by nonprofits — Strathmore noted the following about running its 2012 deficit:
“We experienced significant reductions in individual and corporate contributions. …Contributed income, therefore could not cover the operating loss and the year ended with a deficit, which was further compounded by significant loss of investment income.”
And so, I have to ask, why is Strathmore looking to operate a new venue when it has trouble funding what it has?...
When Strathmore Music Hall opened in 2005 one of the ways that the management sought to get word out about the facility was by using MCPS students and having them visit on field trips. In turn, the students' parents would be informed of the existence of the music hall. After meeting with MCPS the idea was hatched to bring in 2nd graders for concerts. In 2010, MCPS 5th graders were added to the annual concert field trips. Since 2010, MCPS has paid the Strathmore Hall Foundation $517,200 out of the MCPS Operating Budget. There is no public information as to the total MCPS contribution to the Strathmore Music Hall since 2005. Unfortunately, asJoe Hawkins writes in his Bethesda Now column, the Strathmore Music Hall is currently running a deficit of $2,942,945. Looks like the plan hasn't exactly worked out as expected.
Come hear Dr. Starr's first State of the Schools Address. Share a cup of coffee with the folks from Glenstone, Mitch and Emily Rales, who also invite you if you are over the age of 12 and not a blogger, to their lovely mansion to view their art!
But - sorry teachers, you can't go. Josh scheduled this for 7:30am on a school day, so no cookies and coffee for you, unless you can find a substitute and use one of your sick days.
Thank goodness its a federal and state holiday - so federal and state workers who will be observing veterans day, can show up and eat.
Superintendent Joshua P. Starr will deliver his first State of the Schools address at the Music Center at Strathmore on November 12, 2012. Please join Dr. Starr as he shares his vision for the future and we gather to celebrate the outstanding students of Montgomery County Public Schools. This event is free and open to the public.
Please Join Us on Monday, November 12, 2012
The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD 20852
7:30 a.m.
Enjoy a light breakfast and student performances and artwork throughout the Music Center
8:30 a.m.
Dr. Starr presents his State of the Schools address Foreign language and sign language interpretation will be available. Event will conclude by 9:30 a.m. Free parking available in Grosvenor/Strathmore garage.
For more information about the event, please call 301-279-3424.
Do you feel left out? Don't be. You too can be a sponsor of this great event. Philanthropies, other federal and state agencies, corporations, non-profits, and individuals - you are all invited, no minimum specified. Just go to the Montgomery County Educational Foundation webpage and make a donation. United Way and CFC donations also accepted. MCPS has its hand out, and will take all donations. What are the naming opportunities for other folks? Guess you will just have to show up and find out.
...why does the Montgomery County Public Schools system take at least $50,000 (per page 16 of the Strathmore News, December 2010-February 2011) from its supposedly "bare bones" budget, and contribute it to the center?...
Good question! But wrong amount of money!
There is NO EVIDENCE of payments to the Strathmore Hall Foundation in Board of Education minutes.
However, what we know is that in FY 10 Montgomery County Public Schools paid $107,200 to the Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc., and in FY 11 they have paid $45,000 to date. In the last year and a half, MCPS has paid $152,200 to the Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc. Why?
