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Raleigh Charter High School Recognized for Excellence, Building Our Future. The pursuit of a permanent home for our school. Now is an ideal time to secure a permanent home for RCHS. Real Estate: the current lease is up in 2012, which gives us time to secure a new site.
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Raleigh Charter High SchoolRecognized for Excellence, Building Our Future The pursuit of a permanent home for our school.
Now is an ideal time to secure a permanent home for RCHS. • Real Estate: the current lease is up in 2012, which gives us time to secure a new site. • Financing: Banks look for a long-term charter and the RCHS charter was renewed for ten years in 2009. • Fundraising: RCHS has formed a Development Office to build the school’s fundraising capacity.
Why do we seek a permanent home? • RCHS is currently paying about $50,000 per month in rent which increases 3% each year. • Ownership will stabilize facility costs. • Ownership allows the school to be in site that is well-suited for a high school. • Additional classrooms and better sized classrooms are needed.
Currently many rooms are too small. 400 sq. ft 300 sq. ft.
What were we seeking in an alternate site? • A location near downtown Raleigh • Convenient access to government, arts, and community organizations for daily instruction, speakers, Flex Days, Community Work Days, Ex Days and club activities. • Central location in Wake County • 4-6 acres • 40,000-45,000 square feet • Close proximity to public parks and usable public spaces
How was the site selected? • About a dozen sites were visited; over thirty were presented. • The site that met all criteria is 1307 Glenwood Avenue (formerly the Methodist Building.)
Site and building highlights • Building is suited for a school • Parking and carpool space • 6 to 10 additional “better” classrooms • Most teachers will have a dedicated classroom • Another computer lab • Larger classrooms and labs • Superior layout potential and less “wasted” space • Close proximity to fields, a park and student gathering spots.
Future Possibilities • Space to add a large meeting room • Lower facility costs will allow investment in faculty and programs. • Control over facilities, walls, and grounds • What we lose in the charm of architecture could be overcome by the creativity and individuality of this process. • Financial freedom and a strong and stable RCHS.
Future community meeting space might resemble this space which we currently rent.
What is the timeline? • Due Diligence nearly complete • contractor bids, working with an architect, traffic study, city approvals • Closing scheduled for September 23, 2010 • Schedule Fall 2010 Construction begins Summer 2011 Move in
How will this undertaking be achieved? • The building and renovations will cost about $10,000,000. • The project is approved for bond financing of about $7,000,000. • The balance will be met with capital campaign fundraising and seller financing. • The campaign goal is $3,000,000 with a $1,250,000 goal for RCHS families.
Why is fundraising necessary? • Charter schools are different from public schools in that our land and buildings are not provided. Facility costs must be paid from per pupil instructional funds. • Charter schools are free public schools (without revenue from tuition.) • The following graphs show the economic challenges of charter schools.
Note: The Wake County manager’s office estimates the shortfall is $1,224.Source: Thomas B. Fordham Institute, FY 2002-03
Raleigh Charter High School$3,000,000 Capital CampaignEstimated Campaign Gift Pyramidas of August 18, 2010
Think big in small steps Some examples….. • $25K gifts ($674/month for three years) • $10K gifts ($278/month for three years) • $5K gifts ($139/month for three years) • $3K gifts ($85/month for three years) OR • Quarterly payments • Semi-annual payments • Annual payments
Raleigh Charter High School provides a quality education for our students by • Educating students to become lifetime learners • Focusing on citizenship and academics • But we are hoping to do more …
What if we had… • a classroom for every teacher? • more time to focus on the needs of individual students and educational quality? • smaller classes and more electives for our students? • full-time teacher to work with struggling students? • the opportunity for staff development – conferences, seminars, and workshops?
Our Second Founding • Please join us in making this second founding a reality. • Contact us to talk about ideas and possibilities. • Carolyn Jackson cjackson@raleighcharterhs.org • Think big. Stretch. Be creative. • Commit your support to this exciting opportunity. • Encourage others to support this effort. • If you are looking for a place where you can truly make a difference, where you can leave your mark, consider this opportunity to join a worthy cause that will secure the RCHS experience for students and families of the future.