start a school

the real estate deal we were hoping would bring us a permanent property to expand in tanked, finally, last week. it’s almost a relief to have it really and definitively over with, though a lot of work went into the effort before it ignominiously expired.

the prospect of assuming a mortgage and an existing day-care business was pretty intimidating, though.

now—we must build up enrollment in order to be able to afford rent. Today I went to A Gourmet’s Pantry on River Rd specifically to inquire about renting some of the retail space in that complex. Met the owner and his partner and we had a lovely chat; I love the space even though it is unaffordable, and obtained the parcel lot # for the Dept of Health to check out.

I also keep calling back the pastor from the church in Lambertville, but I get a fax squeal every time on the # she gave me.

Anyway—back to the hunt (with the added challenge that I know we have to nearly triple our enrollment to be able to afford anywhere)!

outside our beautiful classroom space on the 2nd day of school, with 5 kids officially enrolled and 3 more still to hand in their forms, but on board.

_{~ WHA HOO ~}

long story short: we open in a donated space (not the school teacher’s dining room!) the week after next. some who had jumped ship are back and others may follow.

having a temporary harbor resulted in no less than three possibilities for buildings offering themselves forth—two prior ones and one brand new one all with glimmers of hope, but no hectic need for speed in deciding.

whew, that’s all I can say.

With one week to go before school was supposed to start things are looking bleak—and it seemed so promising when we had a Plan B!

The LLC’s been formed, we’re ready to put in an offer, but having the daycare operation as a tenant instead of owning the business is a risky wrinkle.

Two more kids dropped out today so our potential base is shrinking.

I don’t mind having to take a planning year, but what am I going to do with poor Sophie—she really wants to be in first grade, not homeschool … lump in throat … I can deal with disappointing everyone else but not her.

waiting for the lawyer to get back to us about the LLC.

waiting for the real estate agent to get back to us about the public sewer agreement.

nice conversation with the mother of a 3-year-old who is interested, it was lovely to have hope and remember that kids will come even if we have to start tiny!

it’s been so refreshing to be here immersed in educational thought. reminds me why i want to do this. i keep telling people “this is so much more interesting to me than septic systems, flows per day, insurance and liability issues! this is why i want to start a school!” it’s been hard hearing how truly difficult and demoralizing it is to be a public school teacher these days. i am so fortunate.

it will be hard to be away from the process next week as well! i don’t even know if we will have internet access during our stay in the Poconos. yikes!

Today we signed for our operating funds loan and bang, there it is in our bank account. Feels great. The banker I’ve been working with had all kinds of helpful suggestions about how to go about getting a mortgage for the property, too. For the first time in a long time I feel like there’s good news and I’m in good hands!

“What a relaxing summer I could be having if I hadn’t had the bright idea to turn our home-based Montessori cooperative into a real school.”

Last night we had a Board meeting and I had to bring everyone who didn’t already know it the news that the Board of Health wouldn’t let more than 9 children into the space we had hoped to rent for September. We simply can’t make our budget – or expand in the following year – with that kind of cap. But if we don’t get a location soon – we may not have 9 children in the class!!! Arrrgh.

Everyone was supportive and ready to move on. I contacted the real estate agent and confirmed that she’ll help us put in a bid on the Gardenville Schoolhouse. Visualizing a lease-purchase deal that will move fast and give us solidity soon!