When the school is constantly changing, it is maintaining its relevance and increasing sustainability.
Some would suggest that constant change is too disruptive. The loss of efficiency over shadows the value of change. There are certainly times when that argument is valid. However, can you afford the alternative?
When we as individuals or as an organization fail to change, we give up part of our relevance. In addition, sometimes there are penalties for failing to change.
Consider the parochial school established in an ethnic neighborhood (Italian, German, Irish, etc.) 30 years ago. Today the neighborhood is primarily Caribbean. The Caribbean families never send their children to the school. They never worship in the church. They have the same denominational heritage.
There have been years of declining enrollment. The church has increased its subsidy to the school limiting what is available to spend on other ministries. The school is on the verge of closing because of too few students but there are more than enough children within walking distance. Crime is up in the neighborhood.
What is the cost of failure to change? What is the cost in dollars, lives lost to the Kingdom, transportation costs, and goodwill with the neighbors? What will it cost to change the school now? Is there time to make the change? Is there the will to change? What is the emotional cost if the school closes?
Should the school have changed to accommodate the first new family in the neighborhood? No, the first family might have been a fluke. The second family might have been a coincidence. The third family was the start of a pattern. The fifth family confirmed the pattern.
When you have a confirmed pattern, it is time to begin the change process.
When enrollment declines, it indicates that the school has lost its attractiveness. The board must decide if it needs to change the school to encourage those who are lost to return or change to attract a different group.
The administration is responsible for running the school and meeting the needs of the enrolled students. The administration should also do what it can to encourage the interested to enroll. However, the administration lacks the authority to make the changes necessary to attract a different cultural, ethnic, demographic, needs, or other group.
If your school is declining and there are sufficient children within a reasonable distance, it is time to change.
Next Step:
What are the needs of the children of the neighborhood?
Which of those needs align with the strengths of your school and church?
What changes should the school make to accommodate the neighborhood children?
What is your plan for implementing the needed changes?
Enrollment will increase when the school aligns itself with the needs of the neighborhood.
When the school is constantly changing, it is maintaining its relevance and increasing sustainability.
As always, contact us if you want help.
Follow us on Twitter for periodic thoughts.
