Developing A Strategic Plan

Is your child struggling in school? Are you not understanding why she is having difficulty learning in a classroom setting? Does she hate going to school instead of wanting to go eagerly every day? Are her teachers requesting conferences with you to discuss the situation? These and many other signs should alert you to the fact that you need to give your child some extra attention. As one parent to another, I can tell you that admitting that your child has learning differences or special needs is not an easy thing to deal with. We had to deal with this situation ourselves. One child had great difficulty reading. Another had serious problems with mathematics. I will focus on the more common learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia in this article. Special needs encompass a wide range of syndromes, some of which we will examine in companion articles.

At the first sign that their child has a learning difference, many parents panic and withdraw into a state of denial. That may help you. But it will not help your child. Your child's teachers know what to look for. The signs of a child with learning issues are fairly obvious, as a rule. While teachers may not know how to treat the disorder professionally, they are trained to alert both parents and the school administration when they suspect that your child has a learning issue.

Public schools must implement Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for students with

Does your school avoid politics? You might want to make sure it does if you are set up as a non-profit corporation. If your school is exempt from taxes under the provisions of Section 501 (c3) of the Tax Code, it must refrain from conducting political activities designed to influence political elections. Consult your attorney if you are not sure what your school's IRS status is. To access Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, you can visit the IRS page on exemption requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations. Here is the URL: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations

Intramural elections are exempt.
Putting up posters and holding rallies for student council president is not generally considered a violation of the 'no politicking' provisions of the law. Internal or within the bounds of the school community activities are acceptable. Read Rules for Exempt Organizations During an Election Year for further guidance.

This video offers an explanation of not-for-profit organizations and the 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS.

Politicking for local, state, and federal issues and candidates is forbidden.

In the current political climate, where emotions often run high and young people are increasingly drawn into the electoral process, it is crucial for schools to understand the boundaries set by their 501(c)(3) status. Politicking for local, state, and federal issues and candidates is strictly forbidden. This prohibition is not just a guideline but a legal requirement under the Johnson Amendment, which

Douglas Halladay heads The Halladay Group, a consulting firm specializing in all aspects of private school operations. We asked him how to advise a board of trustees on a headmaster search. Here are his answers.

We aggressively seek candidates for you who combine solid administrative skills and outstanding management abilities with dynamic leadership experience. The model that we utilize is included below.

Step 1: Initial Meeting

During our first meeting with the client, we review your organization regarding the position to be filled. We also seek to understand the organization's environment, which includes learning about the culture, norms, philosophy, history, work atmosphere, and personalities of the people and community this person will work for and with, as well as coming to know what causes individual success or failure at this organization and thoroughly understanding the vision of the organization. If confidentiality allows, we spend time with the supervisor and peers of the position to determine the management's style and personality. Since our goal is to find someone in whom the community will have confidence, both in ability and style, this part of the process is crucial.

Step 2: Position Profile

My firm next prepares a Position Profile that describes the client organization, details the nature of the position, the key issues facing the new leader, and the qualities and experience of the ideal candidate. Once approved by the client, this document serves as the primary instrument to communicate the opportunity during the search process.

Step 3:

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the integrity and security of private school operations have never been more critical. As administrators, we strive to cultivate environments where trust and transparency are paramount. However, my own experience transitioning a school from paper-driven to digital bookkeeping revealed just how vulnerable these systems can be. The school's petty cash account was a constant source of frustration, impossible to balance due to a complete lack of controls. This article delves into the multifaceted issue of employee theft within private schools, exploring its various forms, the risks it presents, and the profound impact it can have on both finances and reputation. By understanding these dynamics, we can better equip ourselves with the strategies and tools necessary to safeguard our schools and uphold the principles we hold dear.

A Trustee's responisibility.

You have spent a year as a trustee of St. Etheldreda's. You have attended all the meetings. Recently you were appointed to the finance committee. The nagging question keeps chewing at you. "How do we know that our employees aren't stealing from us?" After all, hardly a day goes by without yet another report on the news of some trusted employee stealing from one organization or another.

You simply have to ask these tough questions of your business manager and your auditor.

1. Does one person have control over all of your accounting functions?
2. Are two signatures required on checks over a pre-determined amount - say, $50?
3. Are checks ever pre-signed?
4. Are your