Post by Dennis on Jan 15, 2009 14:54:15 GMT -5
This is the initial posting to kickoff the idea generating phase of our effort to save BSS from closure. Please enter all your thoughts, ideas, questions and feedback to existing posts.
So to keep us focused on success I ask that all criticism include a related suggestion to improve.
Thank you all
Please invite everyone you know who may add value to our mission.
********** Original e-mail **********************
This e-mail is being sent to a very select group. You have been chosen as someone who I have the utmost respect for their judgment, intelligence and most importantly their values.
Please render your assistance wherever possible. As I know we are all very busy I want to respect your commitments and understand if you request to opt out of future involvement.
Dear Friends and BSS Alumni,
Well before the current global economic crisis the Brooklyn Diocese has experienced severe economic hardships which has prompted the adoption of the "Preserving the Vision" initiative. (click link for details: www.csptv.org/ )
This initiative outlines a multi-pronged approach with a goal to continue to provide quality Catholic education throughout the diocese. Organizational restructuring as well as school consolidation and subsequent closures are being proposed.
www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/default_article.aspx?id=2066
NY Times
(http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/nyregion/13close.html?em)
Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2009/01/13/2009-01-13_11_new_york_catholic_schools_need_saving.html)
Although still in the proposal stage news of possible school closing has caused a great deal of disappointment and concern but also a "call to arms" if you will. Now we can sit back and say "They should be more efficient, they should pull a plan together, I wish they would..." but wait, when does "they" become "we" or better yet "I". When do I stop waiting for them to do something and step up to the plate and swing for the fences. We all have a choice: we can take our chances and hope they get this taken care of or we can get involved and do something. We all have choices. Ten years from now you can take your kids through the Heights and show them a mall or apartment building and tell that "that's where my old school was" or you can point to BSS and say "that's my old school and its still there because when needed I was there". Its your legacy, you make the call.
Miracles don't just happen by a wish and a prayer sometimes ya gotta make 'em happen. Lets do it.
You are probably thinking: What can I do?
Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Pastor of BSS, Msgr. Kutner, who is involved in this e-mail brainstorming session.
Although high level our discussion centered around the need and expediency of a comprehensive business plan that will be presented to the Diocese proving BSS is financially solvent. I certainly do not have the wherewithal to pull that together but I KNOW this group can. What we need to do is pull from our wealth of experience ideas of how BSS can increase revenue and or reduce costs. Msgr. Kutner and his team has done a great deal of research and brainstorming which will be shared in subsequent e-mails but right now we would like to encourage as much out of the box thinking as possible so we would like to start this forum as a blank slate so to encourage creativity.
I have attached a financial projections report and although not fully aware of the details that make-up the input data (costs, revenue, enrollment projection formula, etc.) you can see that the forecast for BSS is quite dismal.
Please use this data as well as my observations and thoughts as a starting point to formulate your ideas.
**************************************** Disclaimer *************************************************
So that we can all be comfortable sharing our ideas we will work under the assumption that our involvement in this discussion is intended for the preservation of BSS and although some thoughts, ideas and observation may seem critical their intention is to move our agenda forward. With that said any and all critical observations must come with a beneficial idea or suggestion...OK, we all cool with that?
*********************************************************************************************************
My initial observation is obvious: as enrollment projections decline budget deficits increase. An MBA is not needed to see this but herein lies one area and assumption to ponder: we have a good product which the the local demographic wants but cannot afford.
How can we make it more affordable (some initial ideas below).
The other bit of information that jumps out at me is in regard to St. Joan of Arc which is just 10 blocks away. Why is their enrollment 3 times greater and are working with a revenue surplus ?
St. Bart's is doing well also.
We need to look into the differences.
BSS certainly has superior facilities. Is the income difference of our parishioners that much different? If not why the delta?
Below are some of my initial thoughts and ideas.
Please send yours to the group ASAP so to get ideas flowing.
By the way, did I mention I was meeting Msgr. Kutner on Friday so get crackin' ;-}
Remember: we're in the infant stages of brainstorming, ideas do not need to be completely formulated and thought through completion, just get 'em flowing.
Some initial thoughts:
Subsidize tuition revenue with the following:
- Leverage assets:
BSS has a wealth of assets (classrooms, gym, auditorium, church basement, school-yard) that have a great deal of down-time (evenings, summer, holidays) or lay vacant.
Can we rent/lease some?
Class rooms: Public school system (I'm sure PS 149 is crowded), Private schools (day and or evenings), daycare, business schools, Learning Annex, unions, associations (Small Business Association)
Auditorium: can it be rented to host events similar to how a KofC rents its hall, leased to groups who want to host flea markets, etc.
Gym: can it be leased to Basketball leagues? Yoga classes, etc.
- Events: fundraisers, bingo, dances, etc.
- Can we start delivering (or partner with delivery company) Adult education in evening ?
Some may be government subsidized. ESL classes
Leverage our sphere of influence:
- Have local politicians been brought to the table for involvement, ideas or tap into their sphere of influence? (they work for us)
- Ditto for moving up the political ladder: (state and federal senators, congress, mayor's office, etc.)
- What government programs may be available that could use our assets: federally subsidized classes, meetings, etc.
- Expanding this brainstorming to larger audience: BSS alumni, current and former BSS parishioners. (We have to share our plight and ask for help EVERYWHERE, you never know where the miracle may come from.)
- Philanthropy: Grant-makers, etc.
- Business community (local or national): school sponsor
Making the cost of our product (tuition) more affordable:
- What grants, scholarships, loans may be available?
- Educating community and/or providing service to take advantage of such programs.
- Cost cutting: complete analysis of expenditures, renegotiate contracts (vendors, utilities, etc.), internships, volunteers
- Economy of scale: identify the price point where the product is affordable and make up the margin difference and additional cost in volume
(i.e.: 100 x $10 = $1,000 or 250 x $7 = $1750) (students x tuition = BSS costs)
*** cost per student will escalate on a declining rate with volume ***
- Marketing: sell Catholic school education to the community. I mentioned earlier that the assumption is that the community would want this but do they understand the cost/value ratio, ROI: why its worth their money.
Can the Diocese work out a loan system?
How about a discount to High Schools if you go through Catholic grade schools?
Sorry for the long e-mail but please send out your ideas as quickly as possible
Like I said earlier they need not be Shakespearean nor completely formulated lets just get ideas flowing.
We're gunna keep BSS open.... we will.
Thank you all very much
So to keep us focused on success I ask that all criticism include a related suggestion to improve.
Thank you all
Please invite everyone you know who may add value to our mission.
********** Original e-mail **********************
This e-mail is being sent to a very select group. You have been chosen as someone who I have the utmost respect for their judgment, intelligence and most importantly their values.
Please render your assistance wherever possible. As I know we are all very busy I want to respect your commitments and understand if you request to opt out of future involvement.
Dear Friends and BSS Alumni,
Well before the current global economic crisis the Brooklyn Diocese has experienced severe economic hardships which has prompted the adoption of the "Preserving the Vision" initiative. (click link for details: www.csptv.org/ )
This initiative outlines a multi-pronged approach with a goal to continue to provide quality Catholic education throughout the diocese. Organizational restructuring as well as school consolidation and subsequent closures are being proposed.
www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/default_article.aspx?id=2066
NY Times
(http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/nyregion/13close.html?em)
Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2009/01/13/2009-01-13_11_new_york_catholic_schools_need_saving.html)
Although still in the proposal stage news of possible school closing has caused a great deal of disappointment and concern but also a "call to arms" if you will. Now we can sit back and say "They should be more efficient, they should pull a plan together, I wish they would..." but wait, when does "they" become "we" or better yet "I". When do I stop waiting for them to do something and step up to the plate and swing for the fences. We all have a choice: we can take our chances and hope they get this taken care of or we can get involved and do something. We all have choices. Ten years from now you can take your kids through the Heights and show them a mall or apartment building and tell that "that's where my old school was" or you can point to BSS and say "that's my old school and its still there because when needed I was there". Its your legacy, you make the call.
Miracles don't just happen by a wish and a prayer sometimes ya gotta make 'em happen. Lets do it.
You are probably thinking: What can I do?
Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Pastor of BSS, Msgr. Kutner, who is involved in this e-mail brainstorming session.
Although high level our discussion centered around the need and expediency of a comprehensive business plan that will be presented to the Diocese proving BSS is financially solvent. I certainly do not have the wherewithal to pull that together but I KNOW this group can. What we need to do is pull from our wealth of experience ideas of how BSS can increase revenue and or reduce costs. Msgr. Kutner and his team has done a great deal of research and brainstorming which will be shared in subsequent e-mails but right now we would like to encourage as much out of the box thinking as possible so we would like to start this forum as a blank slate so to encourage creativity.
I have attached a financial projections report and although not fully aware of the details that make-up the input data (costs, revenue, enrollment projection formula, etc.) you can see that the forecast for BSS is quite dismal.
Please use this data as well as my observations and thoughts as a starting point to formulate your ideas.
**************************************** Disclaimer *************************************************
So that we can all be comfortable sharing our ideas we will work under the assumption that our involvement in this discussion is intended for the preservation of BSS and although some thoughts, ideas and observation may seem critical their intention is to move our agenda forward. With that said any and all critical observations must come with a beneficial idea or suggestion...OK, we all cool with that?
*********************************************************************************************************
My initial observation is obvious: as enrollment projections decline budget deficits increase. An MBA is not needed to see this but herein lies one area and assumption to ponder: we have a good product which the the local demographic wants but cannot afford.
How can we make it more affordable (some initial ideas below).
The other bit of information that jumps out at me is in regard to St. Joan of Arc which is just 10 blocks away. Why is their enrollment 3 times greater and are working with a revenue surplus ?
St. Bart's is doing well also.
We need to look into the differences.
BSS certainly has superior facilities. Is the income difference of our parishioners that much different? If not why the delta?
Below are some of my initial thoughts and ideas.
Please send yours to the group ASAP so to get ideas flowing.
By the way, did I mention I was meeting Msgr. Kutner on Friday so get crackin' ;-}
Remember: we're in the infant stages of brainstorming, ideas do not need to be completely formulated and thought through completion, just get 'em flowing.
Some initial thoughts:
Subsidize tuition revenue with the following:
- Leverage assets:
BSS has a wealth of assets (classrooms, gym, auditorium, church basement, school-yard) that have a great deal of down-time (evenings, summer, holidays) or lay vacant.
Can we rent/lease some?
Class rooms: Public school system (I'm sure PS 149 is crowded), Private schools (day and or evenings), daycare, business schools, Learning Annex, unions, associations (Small Business Association)
Auditorium: can it be rented to host events similar to how a KofC rents its hall, leased to groups who want to host flea markets, etc.
Gym: can it be leased to Basketball leagues? Yoga classes, etc.
- Events: fundraisers, bingo, dances, etc.
- Can we start delivering (or partner with delivery company) Adult education in evening ?
Some may be government subsidized. ESL classes
Leverage our sphere of influence:
- Have local politicians been brought to the table for involvement, ideas or tap into their sphere of influence? (they work for us)
- Ditto for moving up the political ladder: (state and federal senators, congress, mayor's office, etc.)
- What government programs may be available that could use our assets: federally subsidized classes, meetings, etc.
- Expanding this brainstorming to larger audience: BSS alumni, current and former BSS parishioners. (We have to share our plight and ask for help EVERYWHERE, you never know where the miracle may come from.)
- Philanthropy: Grant-makers, etc.
- Business community (local or national): school sponsor
Making the cost of our product (tuition) more affordable:
- What grants, scholarships, loans may be available?
- Educating community and/or providing service to take advantage of such programs.
- Cost cutting: complete analysis of expenditures, renegotiate contracts (vendors, utilities, etc.), internships, volunteers
- Economy of scale: identify the price point where the product is affordable and make up the margin difference and additional cost in volume
(i.e.: 100 x $10 = $1,000 or 250 x $7 = $1750) (students x tuition = BSS costs)
*** cost per student will escalate on a declining rate with volume ***
- Marketing: sell Catholic school education to the community. I mentioned earlier that the assumption is that the community would want this but do they understand the cost/value ratio, ROI: why its worth their money.
Can the Diocese work out a loan system?
How about a discount to High Schools if you go through Catholic grade schools?
Sorry for the long e-mail but please send out your ideas as quickly as possible
Like I said earlier they need not be Shakespearean nor completely formulated lets just get ideas flowing.
We're gunna keep BSS open.... we will.
Thank you all very much