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Congregational School Budgets: How school budgets fit inside the synagogue budgeting process

Explore the integration of congregational school budgets within synagogue finances. Learn the key steps and mechanisms for efficient budget planning and approval in this insightful webinar.

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Congregational School Budgets: How school budgets fit inside the synagogue budgeting process

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  1. PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for Leadership Congregational School Budgets: How school budgets fit inside the synagogue budgeting process Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Transformative Judaism for the 21st Century 101 Greenwood Avenue Beit Devora, Suite 430 Jenkintown, PA 19046 215.885.5601 / fax: 215.885.5603 www.jrf.org March 30, 2011 12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Rabbi Erin Hirsh JRF Director of Education

  2. Some technical guidance about participating in this webinar . . . • You can “raise your hand” and we will call on you. • You can “chat” or post “questions” to the organizers and we will try to help you.

  3. At its best, a Congregational School functions as a microcosm of the Congregation itself.

  4. Financially speaking,the school is often the largest discreet program that a congregation runs.It is important to be able toconcisely talk about WHY the school is such a core part of our congregations and our budgets.

  5. The Three Hebrew Terms for Synagogue:

  6. Another way to think about it … Where does what happens in a congregational school or children’s educational program fit? -PirkeAvot 1:2 The world stands upon three things: on Torah (study), on Prayer, and on Acts of Loving-Kindness

  7. That’s a trick question! A case can be made that our schools fulfill all three purposes, just like our congregations themselves. The fact that schools are a fundamental aspect of our congregations makes the terminology we use to talk about the way synagogues fund schools problematic.

  8. Is it accurate to say that synagogues “subsidize” schools? YES and NOIt’s a matter ofresponsibilityrather than generosityNo one speaks about the synagogue as “subsidizing” tefillah/prayer services.

  9. REMEMBER: Congregational schools almost universally sustain themselves with additional revenue to a greater extent than any other discreet congregational programs. Get it?? Congregational schools are practically “MADE OF MONEY”

  10. A particularly helpful way to think about how our schools and synagogues relate to each other in the budgeting process is as . . . Two GEARS.

  11. These two GEARS 1) share a common purpose 2) they can turn one another 3) they are mutually dependant

  12. The Mechanics DEC DEC STEP ONE: Education Director • Education Director discusses key points of the school budget -particularly possible changes from previous year- with her or his supervisor (Rabbi or VP for Education/Education Committee Chair) • If the Rabbi is the Education Director, he or she works with the VP for Education/Education Committee Chair • Make sure the Rabbi, President and VP for Education/Education Committee Chair are all brought “into the loop” at this early stage if major changes or shifts are being contemplated.

  13. JAN STEP TWO: Education Committee • Education Director drafts a budget and shares it with the Education Committee. • Education Committee requests changes until it is comfortable approving a proposed school budget. How many members of the Education committee are active in the activities of the larger congregation?!

  14. STEP THREE: Treasurer • Education Director and VP Ed or Ed Com Chair meet with the Treasurer and explain the proposed school budget. • The Treasurer may flag certain premises (hopefully this only happens early in the year) or certain points and request that the Education Committee reconsider its proposal in light of this information. FEB

  15. MARCH STEP FOUR: Finance Committee • Treasurer brings the proposed school budget to the Finance Committee. • Finance Committee evaluates the assumptions of the Education Committee in light of its members’ expertise and their familiarity with all congregational finances and competing priorities. How many parents of school-age children are on your congregation’s Finance Committee?!

  16. If changes are required,the Finance Committeedetermines parameters, such as: • the extent to which tuition can be increased • the extent to which expenses must be decreased. • The Education Committee -with the guidance of the Education Director- then determines how best to modify the proposed school budget to reflect these parameters.

  17. APR-MAY STEP FIVE: Board of Directors • Approves the joint recommendation of the Education Committee and the Finance Committee and the School Budget is approved along with the overall Congregation Budget. Membership Dues and Tuition Bills are issued jointly and all collections systems are streamlined.

  18. Sharing a “real life” example of a healthy school budgeting process… Chaya Silver-Alford Adat Shalom Director of Education and Youth Bethesda, Maryland

  19. Reflecting on a key place where the synagogue and school budgeting processes intersect: the question of the rabbi serving as the educator. Rabbi Elyse Wechterman Rabbi & Educator, AgudasAchim Attleboro, Mass.

  20. Reflecting on another complicating consideration in the synagogue and school budgeting process: the question of congregants as faculty. Olympia, Washington Catherine Carmel Temple Beth Hatfiloh Education Director

  21. Congregants as Teachers “By Design” http://kehillatisrael.net/docs/atp.html The Havurah Shalom Parent-Teacher Model: http://havurahshalom.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/05/Havurah-Shalom-Shabbat-School-Handbook-2010-11.pdf Avocational Teacher Model:

  22. Sample Reconstructionist Congregational School Budgets we will send you as follow-up to the webinar:A congregational school with a paid education director and approximately 200 students.A congregational school with a paid education director and approximately 150 students.A congregational school in which the part-time rabbi is also hired as the part-time education directorwith approximately 50 students. A parent-run congregational school with approximately 50 students.

  23. If you want to discuss your congregation’s specific circumstances or learn more about the topic of synagogues & school budgeting: For Treasurers and other Congregational Lay Leaders: JRF’s Money and Values Listserv at http://jrf.org/listserves For Education Directors: JRF’s EdDirectors Listserv at http://jrf.org/listserves And everyone is always welcome to contact: Rabbi Erin Hirsh, JRF Director of Education ehirsh@jrf.org Rabbi Shawn Zevit, JRF Director of Congregational Services szevit@jrf.org

  24. Todah Rabah! • We’re so glad you joined us for this JRF PEARL webinar. • Visit www.jrf.org/pearl to find out about what other webinars are part of the 2011 series.

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