BREAKING NEWS: Leo Augusta Children’s Academy to close in BP

The Leo Augusta Children’s Academy will close its doors in the near future, its board of directors announced Friday.

In a Facebook post, the Board said no final date has been set for the closing. “We are working closely with staff and families to continue operations through the summer as long as staffing allows and families still need care,” the board said.

The top reason cited by the board for closing is that the economics simply don’t add up. In the past year, the facility has lost $72,000.

“Despite every effort to sustain operations, the challenges proved too large for a rural, standalone nonprofit to solve alone,” the board said.

Many efforts over the past few years that were made to keep the center open, according to the board. Among them was a plea for assistance from state lawmakers, specifically Sen. Gene Dornink of Brownsdale. “While he acknowledged the conversation, no actionable solutions, follow-up or resource guidance was provided,” the board claims.

Leo Augusta pointed out the closing is not a result of mismanagement or lack of effort, passion or innovation.

The academy opened in June 2022 after the Craig Kruckeberg family of Blooming Prairie provided a substantial donation of monetary and property in excess of $1 million.

Leo Augusta’s board chair is Amy Hinzmann of Blooming Prairie.