Business Plan for the
Sustainable Institute for
Vocational Arts
(S.I.V.A.)
A blueprint for education and community
College Thesis
Statement of Purpose:
- Sustainability: It is apparent that society’s current level of consumption of natural resources (including land used for the disposal of garbage) cannot be maintained indefinitely. There are many intentional communities in operation whose objective is to recover a way of life which does not deplete Earth’s resources more rapidly than it is capable of replenishing them. To this end, S.I.V.A. is dedicated to striking a balance between its human inhabitants’ needs and those of the natural ecosystem in which the school will exist. It is clear that human governmental systems are not equipped or aspiring to provide a model for sustainable living, and therefore it is the responsibility of forward-thinking individuals and communities to create an alternative to the current pattern. Contrarily, if we made better use of resources urban living could become much more sustainable. The planet cannot support the current human population if we all live rurally. This model would make things much more resource-efficient however in areas where land has been cleared for human habitation already, and there are many towns across the country which have seen much of their population scatter, leaving these settlements available for intentional renewal.
II. Vocational Arts: There is evidence that creative activity can be a method of working through and transforming emotional residue from difficult experiences in life. The population which will be served by S.I.V.A. consists of minors who are currently wards of the state: in foster care, group homes, and under the purview of the courts. These children are often difficult to place in a permanent home due to their age, behavioral issues, or special needs. In particular, this school is intended to serve particularly bright, talented children who have the potential to benefit greatly from its specialized environment and amenities (including art and ceramics studios, a wood-shop, music studios, a performing arts venue, writing workshops, and personalized instruction.) The school will also provide academic instruction intended as college or advanced education preparation. Graduates will be strongly encouraged to apply to college, art school, advanced apprenticeships, or vocational school, depending on areas of interest. When a student is accepted into the program, the goal is for placement until age eighteen or high school graduation. We could accommodate 32 students ages 11 to 18.
III. Intentional Community: It is the belief of the principal planner of S.I.V.A. that all children need a nurturing, structured environment in order to develop into self-actualized beings. There are particular issues involved in educating children who have dealt with very difficult experiences in life, and it is the intention of S.I.V.A. to provide exemplary training and support in the guidance of the students. Ongoing counseling and self-defense instruction will be fundamental aspects of the program. Students will be housed, eight per cottage, with a team which works in shifts during after-school hours and nights.
Staff:
It would be ideal if staff members could serve in dual roles. For instance, as professor and residential supervisor, or academic professor as well as art teacher (depending on credentials, training, and personal objectives.) For a student body of thirty-two students, it seems likely that at least twenty-four staff members will be present. Students are housed in four cottages, boy’s and girl’s, ages 11-14 and 14-18, approximately.
There will be extensive gardens and fruit and nut orchards, which will be maintained by rotation, however we will likely need several part- or full-time staff members dedicated in part to the gardens, and students will have class periods spent working in the gardens and kitchens as well, for life skills learning. Specific apprenticeships begin in ninth grade and end at graduation. Following are specific academic and arts programs: English, History/Culture, STEM, Foreign Languages, Organic Agriculture, Life Skills, Humanities/Philosophy/Religions, Sustainable Practices, Physical Education, writing, painting/drawing, woodworking, textiles/clothing design, stained glass/glass sculpture, ceramics, sculpture, architecture, music, film-making, storytelling, metalsmithing, theater arts, book-binding, photography, landscape design, dance. There will be more added later, but those are the basics. There will be a nurse on hand, as well as counseling by specifically trained teaching staff. Campus maintenance will be accomplished through rotation of duties, students and staff alike. The idea in this is that everyone participates equally in the day-to-day upkeep of the community, and no one is condemned to full-time drudgery. It also helps instill pride of place, and a sense of belonging and ownership.
Use of Funds:
Funds will be allocated for general maintenance, including building upkeep, furnishings, replacement of library books, kitchen equipment, etc. Staff will receive an hourly wage or salary in addition to room and board. Cottages will receive a stipend for purchasing food not generated on the land. Students will receive a clothing stipend. Art and school supplies (paper, pencils, computers- of which there will likely be one or two per cottage- textbooks, etc.) will be allocated from the general fund also. State allocations for students as wards will go into the general fund. Finances would be transparent internally as well as auditable by outside entities at any time.
Possible strategies for generating income:
I. Our students could prepare stage plays, recitals, and art shows that would be brought to venues off-campus, particularly in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Rafael, and Santa Rosa. These could be advertised as fundraising events with admission price and request for donations, or a certain commission from artwork.
II. An area of the land could be set aside for retreats open to members of the public for a fee. Depending on availability of staff members, some instruction in a specific field of art could be offered as an additional attraction. We would have, onsite, a temple for regular celebrations, and guests would be welcome to attend. There could be individualized instruction in meditation techniques, Yoga, T’ai Chi, etc.
III. Staff members who are professional artists can offer original works at special auctions in San Francisco, with 1/2 of proceeds each going into general and personal funds.
Startup Budget
1) Average building costs for square feet of building space, broken down as follows:
A. Cottages: ten at 2,000 sq. ft. each = 20,000 sq. ft. (four for students and six for staff, though boys’ and girls’ dual-aged cottages can be attached like a duplex, as can staff cottages, with a shared wall but separate bedrooms and communal space)
B. Academic Buildings: 1,500 sq. ft. = 1,500 sq. ft.
C. Ceramic/Glass Studio: 1,000 sq. ft.
D. Art/Craft Studios: five at 500 sq. ft. each = 2,500 sq. ft.
E. Auditorium: 3,000 sq. ft.
F. Wood-shop: 2,000 sq. ft.
G. Garden Shed, Greenhouse and Arboretum: 4,000 sq. ft.
H. Metals/Auto Shop: 3,000 sq. ft.
I. Banquet Hall: 1,000 sq. ft.
J. Total: 38,000 sq. ft. One-time payout for costs estimated at $4,000,000 if staff help build the passive solar earth buildings.
2) Utilities Installation
A. Water:
i. Well-drilling: (estimate) $10,000
ii. Catchment system (cisterns): $10,000
iii. Sewage/Gray water systems: $65,000 Maintenance: $200/month
B. Electricity: Photovoltaic panels/wind generation: one-time cost of approximately $1,850,000 plus replacement cost of batteries every twelve years amortized at $700/month unless costs come down with improved tech
C. Refuse/Recycling haulage: accomplished with biodiesel truck (incl. below)
D. Total Utilities Startup Cost: $1,935,000, monthly: $900
3) Furniture (much of which could be built by Gaia Manufacturers out of bamboo, others can be bought at bulk prices):
A. 32 beds @ $500/each: $12,800, 24 @ $800/each: $28,00
B. 10 dining tables (six with 6 chairs, four with 8) @ $1,000/each: $10,000
C. 20 sofas @ $1000/each: $20,000
D. 40 end tables @ $100/each: $4,000
E. 10 kitchen cabinet sets @ $16,000: $160,000
F. 56 desks @ $400/each: $22,400
G. 56 desk chairs $50/each: $2,800
H. 56 dressers @ $400/each: $22,400
I. 20 bookshelves @ $150/each: $3,000
J. Total Furniture Startup Cost: $257,400 unless donated, built or used
4) Academic/Art Supplies:
A. Library books: 100,000 @ $15/each=$1,500,000-will request donations
B. Textbooks: $4,000 startup, and renewal every five years: $4,000 amortized at $67/month
C. Academic and Art Supplies: $400/month
E. 12 computers @ $1,200/each: $14,400 startup, amortized replacement: $150
F. Furnishings for Academic Buildings: $8,000
G. Total Startup School Supply Cost: $1,526,400, monthly: $617
5) Appliances:
A. 20 SunFrost Refrigerator/Freezers @ $3,500/each: $70,000
B. 10 Freezers @ $3,000/each: $30,000
C. Restaurant Walk-in Refrigerator/Freezer: $9,000
D. 14 electric cooking ranges @ $1,600/each: $22,400
E. 14 kitchen sinks @ $300/each: $4,200
F. 66 Sun-Mar composting toilets @ $1,150/each: $75,900
G. 20 shower/bath units @ $1,400: $28,000
H. 60 bathroom sinks @ $300: $18,000
I. 10 passive solar/electric water heaters @ $2,000/each: $20,000, 14 on-demand electric water heaters @ $600/each: 8,400 Total: $28,400
J. Solar air heaters: $1,500/1,000 sq. ft.: $70,000
AND/OR Ground source Heat Pump system, $144,000
K. Second hand Movie screen, projector, speakers, theater lights: $15,000
L. 6 Walkie talkies and 10 intercoms: $600 and $3,200
M. 10 clothes washers/dryers @ $1,000/each: $10,000
N. Total Appliance Startup Cost: $384,700-$572,700
6) Campus Vehicles:
A. Electric truck: $55,000, electric sedan: $35,000
B. Used Biodiesel school bus: $30,000
C. Biodeisel tractor: initial cost: $60,000,
D: Maintenance/Replacement over 20 years: $240,000 amortized: $1000
E. Total Vehicle Costs: Startup: $180,000, Monthly: $1000
7) Administrative Office Supplies (office/staff lounge in Humanities):
A. Printer/Scanner: $500
B. Computer: $1,500
C. Pens, paper, ink, etc.: $100/month
D. Community WiFi: $100/Month
E. Total Startup Office Supply Cost: $2,000, Monthly: $200
8) Household Items:
A. Maintenance: cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.: $500/month
B. Shampoo, soap, dish soap, laundry soap: $300/month
C. Linens: Amortized Replacement: $100/month
D. Towels, sheets, blankets: Startup: $10,250, Replacements amortized at $100/month, Monthly Total: $900
9) Lighting Fixtures:
A. 40 bedroom fixtures at $80: $3,200
B. 56 desk lamps at $60: $3,360
C. 24 kitchen overhead lights at $100: $2,400
D. 60 solar exterior post lights at $100, $6,000
E. 20 interior fanlights at $100: $2,000
F. 20 kitchen task-lights at $40: $800
G. 48 bathroom lights at $60: $2,880
H. 10 Dining room overhead at $100: $1,000
I. 10 pantry lights at $40: $400
J. 110 Recessed lights (Auditorium, Banquet Hall, cottages) at $40: $4,400
K. 50 wall sconces at $40: $2,000
L. Total Startup Lighting Cost: $19,240, maintenance: $3,000 every five years, amortized at $50/per month
10) Kitchen Utensils:
A. Pots, pans, baking dishes for 10 kitchens: $500/each=$5,000
B. Dishes and utensils: $400/each=$4,000
C. Hand towels, oven mitts, storage containers: $200/each=$2,000
D. Banquet Hall Kitchen: $6,000
E. Total Startup Kitchen Utensils Cost: $17,000
Total Site Startup Budget:
$8,476,750 plus cost of land ($1,500,000 in books, other numbers may be reduced if items are second hand or donated.)
Operating Budget
1) Personnel:
All teaching staff will be hired on an hourly wage basis with rotated annual vacation, when classes will be suspended for vacation. Starting wage will depend on experience, and be commensurate with other accredited institutions in the region minus average regional housing costs, which are bought into via the community. Estimate: $1,680,000/year, amortized at $140,000/month
2) Food:
32 students: $115,200/year, amortized at $9,600/month, roughly half of which will eventually be provided onsite through gardens, orchards, animal husbandry.
3) Insurance:
Health package for 24: (students eligible for Medicaid) $6,000, liability: $1,000, vehicle: $400, Worker’s Compensation: $1,800, 401K: $4,800; Total Insurance: $14,000/Month
4) Clothing:
32 students: $150 each/month=$4,800, may be supplemented by donation and or clothing made onsite.
5) Monthly itemized costs: $171,867
Total Operating Budget (plus Discretionary Income):
$171,867+5%=$180,460/Month, $2,165,524/Annual
Income
1. In Kind:
1) Food: $4,800 provided onsite with gardens, orchards, animal husbandry after first year (impacts operational budget)
3) Library Books: $1,500,000, will request book donations from publishers, libraries, writers (impacts start-up budget)
2. Government Funding:
1) State allocation per foster child (impacts operational budget) $1,000/each= $32,000/Month (If all class slots are filled, which is unlikely in the first year)
2) Educational Grants
3) Energy subsidies and rebates: $370,000 (effects Start-up costs)
3. Private Funding:
1) Foundation Grants, Individual donations
2) Special Events (traveling theater productions, auctions, fairs, etc.)
3) Retreat Facilities (retreat facilities not factored into startup budget, need to reevaluate costs after building main campus).