As one of the nation's oldest military schools, St. John's Northwestern Military Academy has endured every economic crisis since Grover Cleveland's time.
But the current recession is squeezing the Waukesha County institution anew with dwindling revenue and declining enrollment.
Administrators of the private boarding school for boys have responded with an aggressive strategy: employee layoffs, management reorganization and possibly sacrificing the school's golf course for redevelopment.
Officials also have scaled back a long- anticipated celebration this fall marking St. John's 125th year in operation.
"Things are not business as usual," said Kenneth Smits, vice president of administration. "It's something we have to deal with."
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