Creating An Islamic School

1. Creating An Islamic School Kathy Ahmed

2. PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT • Phase I – Research and Planning • Phase II – Creating the Foundation

3. Phase I – Research and Planning The School Planning Committee • Diverse 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

4. School Planning Committee

5. Marketing in the Community

6. First School Communities • Question whether community will support the idea • Seek support from key leaders • Utilize 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

7. 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

8. PHASE II – Creating the Foundation • Legal • Financial • Academic • Marketing Community Continued

9. A: Legalities • Organizational 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

10. B: Financial • Plan 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

11. Some Major Expenses Budgets can be created using percentages per category: Ex: payroll + fringe benefits = 65% of expenses Allocated numbers reflect school’s Fiscal AND Academic planning

12. Budget Planning • Initial Budget – What you need to open • Create Tuition Fee Schedule • Other fees – registrations, books, transportation • Decide on the minimum # of students needed to open Or • Ensure reinforced $ support regardless of student # but the #’s must get better with time and support must continue until it does • FUNDRAISING

13. Donations • Goal: Fiscal Independence Donations: A dollar given is a dollar spent UNLESS investments made

14. Fiscal Serenity - INVEST • Invest in Academics • Increases student enrollment • Rippling affect • Invest in Growing Markets • Create a 10% rule • Create and Endowment Fund

15. Location - General • Defined 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!

16. 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!)

17. Location – Identity Related • Masjid 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

18. Long Term Planning • Provides a recurring goal: a reminder of where you are and where you want to be • Focuses on ensuring original mission, vision and philosophy do not get lost • Gives opportunity for learning and growth • Shows the community school aims to build a strong foundation and provide stability

19. 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

20. C: Academics • Based on the Mission Statement • Comprehend 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

21. 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)

22. 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

23. Academics continued • Creating 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

24. D: Community Outreach Continued Community Outreach throughout 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

25. Get Better With Time • Keep records of each year’s accomplishments • Timelines – 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…

26. Final Notes • Logistics 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!