Date post: | 26-Mar-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | molly-ware |
View: | 223 times |
Download: | 1 times |
Creating An Islamic School
Kathy Ahmed
PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT
Phase I – Research and PlanningPhase II – Creating the Foundation
Phase I – Research and Planning
The School Planning CommitteeDiverse Members Ethnic, demographic Fields of professions
Ex: Educators strive for academic excellence but need realistic budget, while financial officers need to be reminded of high academic standards = BALANCE!
Establish the mission statement Reminds us of the purpose – today and
future
CO M M UNITYP o ssib le C o ns titue n ts
Pa re n tsVisio na ries
C om m un ity L ea de rsR e ligio us
O rga n iza tion alPo litical
Profes sio na lsM a rke tin g a nd Sa les
A ttorne ysBu sin e ss o wn e rs
Ed uc ato rsAca d em ic F o cus
Isla m icSe cu lar
School Planning Committee
Marketing in the Community
G rea ter Me tro Area "O ne Ma sjid Town"
Se llin g th e Purp ose o f an Is la mic Scho ol
F irst Sch o ol in A rea
Se llin g Sp ecific Scho ol Philo sop hy
M u ltip le Sch oo ls in Area
C o mmu nity Id en tify ing
Sellin g the C on ce pt
First School Communities
Question whether community will support the idea Seek support from key leadersUtilize various statistical information (i.e. surveys, local Masajid community lists) Use information that will help further marketing
strategies, such as community needs and demographics
Presentations Show results of other existing schools Identify school’s purpose that they can relate to
Multiple School Areas
Why do we need another school?How is this school different?Identify possible conflicts with other schools and be proactive by creating supporting relationships
PHASE II – Creating the Foundation
LegalFinancialAcademicMarketing Community Continued
A: LegalitiesOrganizational Options
State Dept. Non-Profit Corporation or Education Corp. Tax-Exemption Status Charter Schools in your state
Religious education – is it an option? Non-Public School State Affiliation
Drafting By-laws Seek ISNA Education Dept and other school’s support Seek attorney with appropriate background
Define and Redefine Committees (ad hoc and standing) Executive (Shura), School Board &
Administration Define departments, responsibilities, lines of
communications Early, thorough planning can reduce power struggles
later
B: FinancialPlan Fiscal Structure RESEARCH –
What does it take to open What does it take to keep it open
Identify Expenses (Mission guided) Identify Realistic Income Sources
% Tuition Coverage % Donation Dependent
Fiscal research may restructure original goals Long term planning Locations Investments Grade level limitations
Some Major Expenses
General Expenses
Operating Expenses
-Payroll & Benefits-Legal Fees & Taxes-Tuition Assistance
-Building and Maintenance -Equipment-Transportation
Budgets can be created using percentages per category:
Ex: payroll + fringe benefits = 65% of expenses
Allocated numbers reflect school’s Fiscal AND Academic planning
Budget PlanningInitial Budget – What you need to openCreate Tuition Fee Schedule Other fees – registrations, books, transportation
Decide on the minimum # of students needed to openOr
Ensure reinforced $ support regardless of student # but the #’s must get better with time and support must continue until it doesFUNDRAISING
Donations
Goal: Fiscal IndependenceDonations: A dollar given is a dollar spent
UNLESS investments made
0123456789
1 2 3 4
Donation
Spendin
g
Fiscal Serenity - INVEST
0
250
500
750
1000
0 5
Time
Inco
me
Invest in Academics Increases student
enrollment Rippling affect
Invest in Growing Markets Create a 10% rule Create and
Endowment Fund
Location - GeneralDefined goals, entity type and budget constraints, will reflect on the location of school Mission Statement
Targeting specific area, independent, co-ed, affiliations…
District (LEA) Various support levels with varying districts Incentive and services – transportation, books…
Fiscal Standing Most influential variable in choosing location
IF STEP B WELL-CONSTRUCTED, LESS HINDERENCE OF FISCAL ISSUES!
Location – Fiscal Related
Building Purchase vs. Lease Leasing negotiations, contracts and
terms must be clear Purchases depend on funds, building
availability, renovations (meets bldg. codes), etc
Muslim or Not – Create legally binding contracts
(Make No Assumptions – things change!)
Location – Identity RelatedMasjid Affiliations Part of Masjid entity –
Pros – Legal status differs (ex. already tax-exempt), same funds targeted for whole organization
Cons – Political struggles, focus on high academic structure may be blurred by other community/Masjid related factors
In Masjid building, separate entity- Pros – Independence, focus on higher academic
standards, political struggles can be avoided through clear policies ands terms
Cons – competing funds and unshared mission provides supporting constraints
No Affiliations – Independent School
Long Term Planning
Provides a recurring goal: a reminder of where you are and where you want to beFocuses on ensuring original mission, vision and philosophy do not get lostGives opportunity for learning and growthShows the community school aims to build a strong foundation and provide stability
Fiscal Summary Step 1 Donations are necessary - fundraise Don’t fall into the trap of making it your
backbone Extra effort in early planning and marketing
Step 2 Increase enrollment every year
More students = more tuition More students = more parental involvement Parents are donors too!
Step 3 Create an endowment fund, make business
purchase, invest 10% funds
C: AcademicsBased on the Mission StatementComprehend education law & national standards Important especially if planning on competing for
academic excellence
Board of Directors – Founders/New members Interview new members, avoid conflicts of
interest if with other organizations and provide thorough orientation
Headmaster Compare qualifications to your school needs Know their educational and religious philosophies
Academics continued
Seek other educational advise Create mentor relationships with
professional educators with experience Discuss possible academic structures
Decide academic focus or “specialties” Create curriculum committee
(see Dr. Tasneema Qazi paper on Curriculum Development)
Academic continued
Create the Academic Program Assumption: Board/Admin defined
structure Religious aspects Board Expectations Clear Administration Expectations (Contracts)
Administration Lead Program Development Staff contract developing Staff and Parental Handbooks
Ensure abiding local, state and federal laws
Academics continuedCreating Administrative Office Office Management –
establishment of day to day operations Bookkeeping and record keeping of Attendance,
fiscal, student records, and correspondences
Hiring Teachers Muslims vs. Non-Muslims vs. Certified Advertise – Mosques, Job Banks, Papers Interviews –
Do not settle Background checks
Provide clear expectations Support through training
D: Community Outreach
Continued Community Outreachthroughout Legal, Financial and
Academic stages provide: Easier recruitment of students Reinforces donors support Develops ties for long lasting
relationships Can jump start an active PTA
Get Better With TimeKeep records of each year’s accomplishmentsTimelines – Keep you on track Be realistic – much depends on time put in per
individual
Create an annual checklist calendar for recurring projects and deadlines Curriculum review, inspections, staff
interviews, governmental forms and applications…
Final NotesLogistics and Tawakeel A school’s purpose is to serve Allah (SWT). Do
not be pessimistic and afraid to start – better to have tried and failed (actually you don’t fail – if you count the blessings) than to not have struggled at all.
Do not base the school’s success entirely on the numbers – plan well, but remember: He is the best Planner
ALL committee members must truly believe in the common mission if they are to work as a team – not just a group
There are obstacles undoubtedly – but as long as the struggle is for solely for Him – Tawakil!