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COMMUNITY CONSULTING CLUB
University of Michigan Business School
Community Consulting Club
Organization Project Application
Real Projects, Real Service
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name of Organization:
Ann Arbor Learning Community
Address:
2898 Packard
Address (cont’d):
City: Ann Arbor
State: MI
Zip Code: 48108
Phone: (734) 477 0340
Fax: (734) 477-0341
E-mail Address:
a2learningcommunity@ameritech.net
Organization Website Address: http://www.ameritech.net/users/a2learningcommunity/index.html
Name of Primary Project Liaison: Wendi Felgner
Title/Position: Business Manager
Phone: (734) 477 0340
Fax: (734) 477 0341
E-mail Address: wendil00@hotmail.com
Please describe your agency’s current stage of development (select one):
Start-up
Undergoing transition
X Growth
Crisis
Established
MISSION AND SERVICES
Please check the category that best describes your organization’s mission:
Arts/Culture/Humanities
Human/Social Services
Health
Social Justice
Environment
X Other (please describe) Education
Please provide your organization’s mission statement below (or attach).
From the school’s charter – Ann Arbor Learning Community provides students with a firm grounding in core
curriculum (language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) with arts education and nature exploration.
Classrooms are multiage, student-focused, and present thematic education.
From the Articles of Incorporation – The corporation is organized with the purpose of improving pupil
achievement; providing stimulating, innovative, teaching methods; creating professional development opportunities
for teachers; achieving school accountability; and providing parents and students with an alternate choice among
public schools.
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Please provide a brief history and/or overview of your organization’s work and goals.
Ann Arbor Learning Community (AALC) was authorized or chartered by Eastern Michigan University
and began enrolling students in 1998. The school’s charter was renewed in 2003. Over the past five
school years the school’s enrollment has grown from 80 to 112 students. In 2002 –2003 94.47% of the
school’s income was from the state foundation allowance ($7000 per student) from the State of Michigan.
From March – August 2003 this allowance was reduced. Beyond dropping operating expenses, the office
assistants and business manager are successfully soliciting donations (equipments and supplies) and
writing grants applications to businesses. The school recognizes that its operations could be more cost
effective if its student enrollment grew. The current leased space will not accommodate increased
enrollment and does not meet educational program needs. A larger facility could better accommodate the
educational program and service more students. In 2004 or 2005 the school anticipates moving its
program and operations to a different facility. A business plan is needed to further this facility
development.
Please describe the programs or services within your organization.
Ann Arbor Learning Community provides education to students in kindergarten through grade
eight. This education includes the core curriculum (language arts, mathematics, science, and
social studies) with arts education and outdoor education or nature exploration (camping, day
trips, walks in the adjacent wooded city park). The maximum number of students in each class
is 17. Classes include more than one grade level or are multiage. Teachers teach individually
and as teams of two to three teachers. Students complete the Michigan Educational Assessment
Program and TerraNova tests each school year. They also receive written progress reports from
their classroom and arts teachers. Parent teacher conferences are regularly scheduled twice each
school year and are also arranged as needed. Students with individualized education plans
receive services from part-time special education professionals as the students’ plans direct.
University of Michigan Business School – Community Consulting Club http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/Organizations/CommunityConsulting/default.htm
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CONSULTING PROJECT
Please check the category or categories that best describes the type of project:
Strategy
Finance
X Business Development
Organizational Change
Marketing
Other ____________________________
Please describe the project that a Community Consulting Club team of 4-6 students could
complete for your organization in approximately 10-12 weeks.
The school has continued its search for a future site. Different individuals looked at land and
buildings; meetings were held with commercial realtors; and developers have been engaged in
discussion and conversations. A business plan would support the school's request for funding
from a developer or financial institution. Charter School Facilities: A Resources Guide on
Development and Funding (NCB Development Corporation www.ncbdc.org) suggests this plan
may include market analysis, management plan, operations plan (administration, security,
physical plan, and logistics), facility planning, and financial plan (operating budget, balance
sheet, capital budget, and cash flow proforma). Some plan sections are supported by existing
documents, while other sections have not been developed. The 2001 Club team completed a
Property & Facilities Assessment for AALC that could be included in the plan’s facility planning.
AALC would like the Club team to develop one section of the plan.
University of Michigan Business School – Community Consulting Club http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/Organizations/CommunityConsulting/default.htm
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Please list the organization’s goals for the project.
Develop the facility business plan with the recommendations and expertise of business students
Provide a project that benefits the business students and the Community Consulting Club
Continue AALC’s involvement with the U-M Business School Community Consulting Club
Continuously improve the school for its students, parents, and staff
Continue AALC’s receptiveness to undergraduate and graduate students’ projects and
encourage the school’s positive reputation as a learning site for university students
Please provide any additional background information about the project that would be
helpful to the consulting team. Attach additional documents as needed.
AALC has benefited from four Community Consulting Club projects (Marketing Study; Property
& Facilities Assessment; Finding the Funds; and Student Retention Study) in the past.
Thank you for your participation! Please feel free to attach any materials you think would be
helpful.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Jared Amaral
Vice President – Business Development
jamaral@umich.edu
(734) 330-5222 Cell
Marc Gibbert
Vice President – Business Development
mgibbert@umich.edu
(847) 612-9171 Cell
(312) 870-2095 Fax
University of Michigan Business School – Community Consulting Club http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/Organizations/CommunityConsulting/default.htm