May 24, 2006

Reasons to support the high school by a current student

Posted in Uncategorized at 2:52 pm by kad

A ninth grader wrote:

"This school is important because there are a significant number of kids with learning disabilities in the Bay Area and they need a school to go to because other schools will not accomodate them. If you are looking for a school where you hope to be understood, than this is probably the best school you'll find . . . . Here I've gained more self-esteem, it has helped me socially and it's been really fun. The teachers made a big difference. It's not like there is a wall between you and the teacher and they don't have the time to talk with you individually. Support the high schoool because it's a salvation for most kids with learning disabilities."

Bay Area Educational Institute, formed to create new Northern California high school for students with learning differences

Posted in Uncategorized at 12:07 pm by kad

Following Holy Names University's decision to close Raskob High School after the 2006-2007 school year, a group of Raskob parents and educators have been diligently working to create an East Bay high school. Key highlights of what has been accomplished are set forth below.

 June 2006

  • retained Mckenna, Aldridge & Long, LLP, as pro-bono attorney for BAEI
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    May 2006

      • pledges confirmed
      • first donations received—thanks for the generous support!
      • grant writer joined fundraising committee
      • fundraising continues—we still want your help!
      • several facilites available for lease seen, with on going facilites search

      April 2006

      • student testimonials added to blog
      • tax exempt applications submitted
      • active facilites search continued

      March 2006

      • seed money pledges were received from current parents, parents of alumni, and friends of BAEI.
      • bylaws for BAEI, Inc. were drafted;
      • a pro-forma budget was created;
      • the active facilities search was continued;
      • a web domain address at www.baei.org was obtained;
      • a case statement for the high school was prepared;
      • the board of trustees was appointed;
      • the BAEI, Inc., bylaws were adopted
      • officers were elected;
      • formation of Executive Committee
      • obtained pro bono consultation with strategic planning facilitator regarding implementation plan.

      February 2006

      • eight parent incorporators formed Bay Area Educational Institute, Inc., a California non-profit corporation, whose purpose is to maintain and operate a school as a not-for-profit enterprise;
      • along with a steering committee, seven committees were formed. The steering committee has held weekly open meetings since February 5, 2006;
      • the seven committees include governance, facilities, fundraising, operations, programs, community relations, and finance;
      • a seed money pledge drive was begun;
      • an active facilities search was commenced;
      • obtained pro bono consultation with a strategic planning consultant, with an expertise in non-profit management, regarding organizational change;
      • a commercial real estate agent was retained.