homeministriesfor familymaranatha christian schoolsfaq five year plan


Over the next five years Maranatha Christian Schools will work toward completing three important priorities which will help fulfill our vision to “prepare today’s students to make a difference in tomorrow’s world.”  Our Five Year Plan is the second phase of our master plan; its completion will allow MCS to provide a continual, dynamic educational experience and will give students and teachers the opportunity achieve their highest potential in our four major areas:
Academics, Arts, Athletics and Service.

Why do we need to build?
This is an important question. First, our student body has grown…we need room now!  We have almost reached maximum capacity with our current facility. As enrollment increases, our system will simply not be able to handle the volume. Second, the library we provided in the first phase was a temporary facility, and with the growing student body, it is important to provide adequate resources—especially something as important as a library! Third, our administration has grown and there is a need for additional office space as well as conference/meeting rooms to handle our PAC committees. Also, moving the high school to temporary cottages will provide for additional classroom space for growing our junior high and elementary programs. Finally, more space will give students, teachers, and parents the tools they need to succeed.

What is included in Phase II of the campaign?
The site plan shows the master plan for the entire campus, which includes buildings that may not be built for several years. Phase II, however, includes two crucial buildings: a 22,000 square-foot classroom building and a 6,000 square-foot Library-Media Resource/Administrative building. The creation of our Teacher Endowment Fund will allow MCS to attract and retain the finest teachers. Our third phase will ultimately include another large classroom building to house our junior high and gymnasium. 

What is the purpose for the Teacher Endowment?
To attract and retain competent, Christ-led professionals to MCS.  Teachers are the heart of a school. It isn’t the buildings, the curriculum, or the technology that impact the lives of children. Realizing that teacher quality is the most important school variable affecting student achievement, MCS’ desire is to create a teacher endowment allowing to raise teacher’s salaries. 

First, let’s define endowment. Webster says—“to give money or other property for the permanent upkeep or benefit of an institution.” More specifically, for educational institutions, a financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated with the stipulation that it be invested, and the principal remain intact. Second, salaries and benefits comprise almost 80 percent or the MCS‘s operational budget. At our current tuition rates, MCS teachers only make 72 percent of local public schools. This will allow MCS to raise teacher compensation to a level competitive with area public schools. This will be accomplished through moderate tuition increases of five to seven percent, and utilizing earnings generated from the investment of these dollars to provide a stable source of annual income for increasing teacher salaries.      

How much is this campaign going to cost?
This Five Year Plan consists of three parts, with a total projected cost of $6 million. The first part consists of leasing/purchasing temporary cottages for three to five years. The second part is raising funds and building two new buildings. The third part consists of establishing an endowment for teachers.

Where will the money come from?
The money will come from the generous giving of families and friends from Maranatha Chapel, Maranatha Christian Schools, and the community. All entities stand to benefit greatly from this building program. On their own, none of these have the resources to raise this money. But together, we believe we can raise the necessary funds. We also recognize that approximately 80 percent of gifting comes from individuals and 15 - 20 percent from foundations and corporations. 

I already pay tuition. Won't that cover the building?
Unfortunately, no. Tuition and fees cover the general operating expenses of the school (payroll, curriculum, supplies, etc.). There is currently no surplus revenue from tuition that can go toward the building fund. Giving to our Annual Eagle Fund helps with the total cost of an education at MCS and provides much needed additional income for additional projects. Building fund money must therefore come from the generous and sacrificial support of MCS families and friends, above and beyond tuition.

Can we borrow the money to build?
We would like to own the properties without debt. We cannot borrow all the money. Our first phase loan amount is $7 million. The debt load for the school would be too cumbersome. The goal is to raise as much as possible through gifts, and then a decision will be made on whether we can borrow the remainder. Also, this will enable us to expand our financial aid program by dedicating a portion of our budget to give qualified families the opportunity to attend MCS.

When can we begin building?
That depends on our ability to raise the funds. Our desire is to set up our “cottages” during the summer of 2009 and begin permits and plans for the new buildings as soon as possible. The building of the new facilities will take approximately 12–18 months. This will only happen if the money is available. Classrooms will be built first, but the scheduling of all aspects of Phase II will depend on the amount of money we are able to raise.

How can I help?
First, you can pray that the Lord will provide the resources we are seeking. Second, you can consider what you might be able to give. 

What is the time frame for the Five Year Plan?
The Five Year Plan will start in the 2008 -2009 school year and we plan to occupy the new facilities is the fall of 2013.

If I give money today, where will it go and how do I know that it will be spent for the purpose for which it was given?
All funds will be placed directly into the Five Year Plan Fund and monies for the Teacher Endowment will be placed in an Endowment Fund that will provide a continuing source of income for the future. This fund will be carefully monitored and distributed according to annual plans developed by the MCS school board.

Is the school prepared to accept gifts other than “cash” such as stock, real estate, gifts-in-kind, etc.?
The school is prepared to accept a variety of gifts. Donors are advised to consult their personal financial advisors with regard to gift forms that may take advantage of specific tax and contribution rules. Maranatha Christian Schools retains legal and financial counsel to manage its interests related to non cash gifts.

Once the Five Year Plan is met, will there be requests for the additional funds?
Our Annual Eagle Fund will continue this year and into the future as we plan for your gifts to support our annual operating budget each year. However, capital campaigns are organized for a specified period of time to raise a specific amount of money for specific building or program needs. When we begin our third phase, there will be additional requests for capital funds for building projects. Also, in the future, with our long-range plan, we intend to establish an endowment for tuition assistance, which will require additional fundraising. This is a normal process for educational institutions that strive to maintain excellence in programming and manage tuition.