Facilities Improvement

Wanted to give you a quick update on what the Facilities Committee has been doing. Last year we agreed on a 5 year plan of action for the Board that included specific actions/goals for each committee for each year. Last year, the Facilities Committee's goal was to finish upgrading the roof situation at the North Campus and to install the signage at the North Campus. Both were accomplished by the end of July. Praise the Lord!

We have a list of significant improvements we will continue to work on over the course of the next few years. Such things as a security system at the North Campus, improve the rest rooms in the gym, team rooms/showers in the gym, etc.

This year we are planning to install the security/communication system at the North Campus. We have prioritized this investment for the following reasons:
* The safety of our children is a preeminent concern for our school and we want to do whatever we can to make sure parents (especially prospective parents) are comfortable with our efforts to provide a safe environment for their child(ren).
* We need better control of the use of our facilities. There are many (probably too many) people with keys to our facilities and we often cannot know who all uses our facilities and when they do so.
* Better situation for insurance and liability perspective. Since we are planning on installing a few cameras, we will be able to better recall what occurred in the event of accidents, vandalism, etc.

We are currently evaluating vendors and our options. We will keep you informed of our progress and timeline.

What's Happening with the Board

Well the Board does not have scheduled meetings from the end of June through most of August, so we are now re-starting our committee meetings.

Facilities - the big focus is in examining options for purchasing and installing a security and communication system for the North Campus. We need to gain control of who has access to each part of our facilities. Protecting the children and our assets is very important to us and installing mechanisms to know who has entered the facilities and when as well as restricting what access they have will go a long way to improving that situation.

Finance - first we must make sure we are adjusting to the lower enrollment and secondly we will evaluate the results and response to the consultant's study of our pre-school operations. Note that since we have prepared appropriately, we will still be able to fund the pay increases that we had planned for the faculty and we will look for means to balance the budget in other areas.

Development - with the anticipation that the money designated to engage someone to help us with development will be cut to help deal with lower enrollment, we need to adjust plans and determine a new course of action.

Planning - per the plan that has been in the works for some time, we will continue to work on the succession plans for our leadership. In addition, we will focus on planning for the day long work session the Board will have on October 1st.

Our next Board meeting is September 1st, so look for an update on our work after that meeting. Please pray for us as we work on these important matters.

Update on Financials

A couple of posts ago I mentioned how it looked like the Lord had shown great favor to Maranatha by blessing our financial situation. Well that is confirmed for the last school year as we were able to do some wonderful things such as giving a special stipend to the teachers, purchasing new bleachers, and installing the signage at the North Campus. All of this and we made it through the summer without having to borrow from ourselves(designated funds) to make payroll. That is a first! In addition we entered this year in the black and those funds will be needed since enrollment is down. The Lord is always gracious and good, but sometimes He demonstrates that in such awesome ways that we can't miss it. Thank you Lord!

Your Help is Needed

The start of school is almost upon us. Enrollment numbers are lower than what we ended the last school year. We have been busy getting the name out in the community through bill boards, radio ads, newspaper postings, booths at events and by redesigning our web site. While doing all of this we have been petitioning our Lord to provide those students and families that would join us here and allow us to serve.

We have known for a long time that the most effective promotion method for the school is you...parents, students, teachers and other associated with the school. Word of mouth is by far the most effective means of getting others to consider the school. Would you do your part? As you are mingling with other Christian parents, would you tell them why you chose Maranatha and how it has impacted your child(ren)?

The best way to manage cost and fund growth is through increased enrollment. So help us help you by being active recruiters for the school. Lives will be touched for His kingdom, the ministry of Maranatha will expand and we will be best able to manage the costs of the school that are passed on to each individual.

So pray, share, and recruit! You will reap the rewards for eternity.

Financial Praise

June's has revealed that we are moving up the financial health meter as we have placed enough cash in reserves that we may not have to borrow from ourselves to cover summer expenses. If that truly holds in the July - end of fiscal year - numbers, then it will be the first time ever. Isn't that cause for praise! We did this by setting appropriate tuition amounts, rigorous management of expenses, and careful planning. All of that under the sheltering wing of our Father leads us to give Him praise. Now our prayer is that enrollment stays above 500 - should we dare pray for an increase in enrollment??

I pray you are ready and even excited for this upcoming school year.