WORKSHOP I-A Starting a Maritime, Marine Science and Intermodal School or Program "Do's and Don'ts, How to Avoid the Shoals"

What are the Preparation Do’s?  Form an exploratory committee – recruit the “BEST” Experts/Representatives: * Finance (CPA)* Accountant * Grant Writer * Experienced Educator * 2 Year College* Attorney * 4 Year College* Marine Scientist * Shipyard * Professional Mariner * Port Authority* Intermodal / Industry Expert  Research Other Schools and Programs on web

What are Other Preparation Do’s?  Visit Other Campuses: What might you learn? What might you see? MAST Academy South Broward – Ted Davis Palm Beach - Marie Turchiaro  Research possible funding streams planning start up

What are Other Preparation Do’s?  Contact your state Department of Education to begin the application process for starting a school or program –Charter, Magnet, Career Tech Ed, Other: Will your state laws permit it? What type of school or program will it be: charter school, private school, magnet, CTE or community-based?  Formulate a Strategic Plan including mission, vision, philosophy of education, goals, objectives and timeline

What are Other Preparation Do’s?  Secure Federal Tax ID  Write Articles of Incorporation.  Submit application for Non-Profit 501 c (3).  Form a strong “start-up” school /program governing board with or without exploratory committee members.  Public Relations is KEY – SHOUT OUT your work

What are the Curriculum Design Do’s?  Attend Maritime Conferences  Join Maritime Primary and Secondary Education Coalition (MPSEC)  Listen to the Experts: Dr. Art Sulzer  Stay connected with other schools/programs and colleagues: Dr. Art Sulzer Ted Davis  Form Industry Partnerships – carrier, towing, shipbuilding, ports, ferries, marinas, local and state legislators, colleges/universities, uscg, auxiliary

What are the Financial Do’s  Articulate Rationale / Needs Assessment – Department of Labor Stats.Department of Labor Stats  Write for start up and planning grants: State Federal Local Community Business and Industry Sponsorships and Collaborations/Partnerships Ensure funds are committed prior to continued planning.

What are other Financial Do’s? Develop conservative budget projections: under project your revenue over project your expenses remain conservative with revenue and expense projections. Network with Business and Industry for Partnership and Sponsorship Funding and/or collaboration.

What are the Preparation and Financial Shoals? Insufficient Planning Time prior to start up date. Insufficient Planning Funds. Insufficient Operating Funds to carry through the first six prior to state funding distribution. Lack of PR and Media Exposure.

School and/or Program Required Application Info and Documents Vision, Mission and Philosophy of Education Board Policies and Procedures Student Handbook Parent Handbook Staff Handbook Curriculum Design: General Education and/or Marine/Maritime Program Scope and Sequence Goals Objectives Special Education Program Assessment Protocols 5-year projected budget including Enrollment Staffing Proposed Facilities location footprint Board Member Names and Credentials

Start Up and On-going School/Program Shoals  Hiring and keeping qualified administrators and teachers who have maritime/marine science and/or intermodal knowledge and experience and a disposition to grow and learn.  Hiring highly qualified administrators and teachers with a passion to integrate and infuse maritime/marine/intermodal themes across the curriculum.

Start Up and On-going Maritime and/or Marine Science School/Program Shoals  Difficult retention decisions related to board members, administrators or staff who do not embrace the school/program maritime/marine science/intermodal philosophy of education, vision or mission.  School/Program administrators who fail to educate parents and the community about the school/program through regular press releases, memos, workshops, surveys, etc.  Decrease in Student Enrollment.  Depletion of Funding Sources.  Failure to maintain positive public and community relations

Start Up and On-going School/Program Administrative Shoals  Administrators who hire family and friends.  Administrators who do not espouse or understand the school’s philosophy, mission and vision.  Administrators who reference and want establish traditional education practices that are incompatible with a marine/maritime/marine-themed school or program.

What are Governing Board Member Selection Do’s The Entire Board governs as one voice by consensus. No single or sub group may govern. If appointed and not elected, vet board members carefully Curriculum Vitae and Bio References Financial Background Check FBI and BCI (typically required by states).

What are Governing Board Member Selection Do’s  If not elected, appoint board members who espouse the founding maritime/marine philosophy of education and mission and vision.  Require potential board members to read and agree with the board policy and procedure manual in its entirety.  Interview potential board members carefully to ensure there are no hidden agendas or self-serving motivations.

Governing Board Member Shoals  Board that fails to execute the Strategic Plan and keep successes and admit failures, make adjustments in timely manner.  Members who recommend friends to serve on the board.  Members who want to re-design the school/program with their own philosophy of education, vision and mission.

Governing Board Member Shoals  Individual members who use the board as their own bully pulpit for what “they want the school to be” – abandoning mission and vision.  Members who subvert the healthy functioning of the whole board by working behind the scenes to micromanage administration or create dissention with administration and/or other board members.

Starting a Maritime, Marine Science and Intermodal School or Program  Who is your target population?  What does the industry need in a viable, sustainable maritime employee?  How deep is you passion to fulfill that need?  When will you get started?  When will you make honest appraisal of your program, successes and failures?

In the End…. Your Maritime/Marine Science/Intermodal School/Program Is All About The

Questions! Renée Marazon, CEO The Maritime Foundation 4210 NW 27 th Lane Cape Coral, Florida

The mission of The Maritime Foundation is to promote professional mariner careers through K-12 marine/maritime themed curriculum development, workshops and seminars for students, teachers, and parents. Foundation activities include: Marine/Maritime K-12 Curriculum Development; K-12 teacher professional development related to marine/maritime topics which can be easily integrated across all general education and elective K-12 subjects; grant writing to secure funds that support K-12 marine/maritime programs; scholarships for teachers to attend and/or present at conferences that support K-12 marine/maritime programs.