Auburn Gateway, a private school operating out of Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, abruptly closed its doors March 6, surprising parents and students alike.

The sudden closure followed hard upon allegations that the school’s former director, Emily Gomes, had mishandled funds, media reports say.

Gomes resigned the following Friday, and the school canceled classes indefinitely.

Teachers’ paychecks were bouncing because the money had disappeared and Lisa Monto, Gateway’s acting director, was not sure where the funds had gone, Q13 FOX News reported.

Many of the teachers intend to stay on the job and work for free as long as possible. Many parents said they have already paid tuition through the end of the school year.

Gateway – an independent, nondenominational Christian-values school established in 2009 – had been offering hands-on, experimental learning for kids who excel, and at their own pace.

Cal Hunzicker, chairman of Messiah Lutheran Church’s lease committee, noted that the church and the school are not affiliated, other than as lessor and lessee. School officials met with their attorney Friday afternoon and were unavailable for comment.

“We’ve been told that eventually they will try to resurrect their school under new management, new ownership,” Hunzicker said. “For now, the children are being dispersed to other schools. Kip Herren, superintendent of the Auburn School District, was very gracious in phoning and offering to take the kids.”

“We did that because they’re kids, they’re families and they’re in Auburn,” Herren said. “Their learning is important, and there’s 12 weeks left in the school year. We wanted to try to help out the families and the kids.”