When a company or business fires three managers, the public or other employees may wonder what the future holds.

That may have been the case for Elmore residents.

Recently they found out the administrator, assistant administrator/director of admissions and operations manager were no longer employed at Elmore Academy.

But, Mayor Bill Hurd believes the academy’s parent company – Youth Services International of Sarasota, Fla., – has no intentions of closing the doors anytime soon.

His optimism comes from an “unplanned meeting” last Tuesday afternoon with T.J. Mauer, YSI’s regional vice president for the Midwest and based in Elmore.

Hurd says he just went to the academy to introduce himself and for a chance to get to know each other.

He says the two talked for more than an hour.

“It was very positive. Every indication is that YSI is committed to make this work and be a positive impact in our community,” he says.

For several weeks, Elmore Academy has run ads in the “help wanted” sections of local newspapers.

Hurd sees that as a sign of a company not planning to go out of business.

The Elmore City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Feb. 11. But, the firings of the three employees or Elmore Academy was not discussed.

Hurd acknowledged that he and Mauer discussed changes that may be in store at the academy.

The residential treatment facility is for males and females ages 13 to 19 who have chemical abuse and behavioral problems.

It employs nearly 75 full-time employees with an annual payroll of nearly $2 million.

Hurd says the city will continue to keep a good working relationship and open dialogue with officials at the academy.

“Elmore Academy is an important part of the community, not just financially. But also the services it provides the students,” he says. “From what I was told, I’m confident they’re going in the right direction.”