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Metadata

ID:
2025-12-13-ida-gary-micro-school-exploration
Participants:

Call Summary: Evaluating the Primer Fellowship Micro School Opportunity

Overview​

Ida researched the Primer Fellowship micro school opportunity and discovered significant concerns about the role definition and compensation structure. The conversation explored past educational ventures, faith-based education vision, and potential family business opportunities while Gary prepared for his AI hackathon.

Key Topics Discussed​

Micro School Reality Check​

  • Role Discovery: "I thought it was more like school leader. In my perspective, normally means principal... Administrator, director, not teacher"

    • School leader is actually a teacher-level position, not administrative
    • Only requires bachelor's degree with no education certification needed
    • "Anybody can have a micro school. They're doing it during Covid without any help from businesses or companies"

  • Community Model During COVID: Experts from various fields taught their specialties weekly

    • Department of Agriculture professional
    • Real estate experts
    • CPAs and other professionals
    • "Whatever their expertise is, that's what they teach. So maybe they teach once a week"

  • Regulatory Freedom: "The TEKS don't matter in a micro school... Micro School is more like homeschool"

    • Kids could graduate at 15 if ready
    • Standard would be ability to pass GED or TSI (Texas Success Initiative) for college readiness

Financial Analysis and Concerns​

  • Budget Breakdown:

    • 20 students × $8,000 vouchers = $160,000 total
    • After expenses, leader salary only $60,000-$70,000
    • "That's terrible. I mean, it's okay for someone who's not doing anything... But I'm moving mountains. I'm a world changer"

  • Cost of Living Reality: "We spend several thousand a month on groceries... 500 every time"

    • Family committed to organic, clean eating for health
    • Economy making it impossible to accept lower compensation

  • Special Education Limitations:

    • Can accommodate 504 students (ADHD, physical disabilities)
    • Cannot serve special education students (dyslexia, learning disabilities)
    • "Unfortunately, they don't at this time. They can't accommodate them"

Past Educational Venture - Onyx Homeschool​

  • Six-Month Curriculum Company: Created with sister

    • Developed complete K-12 curriculum aligned to GED requirements
    • Designed for homeschoolers to finish in 6 months to 1 year
    • "We put together a homeschool product for people to buy"

  • Shutdown Due to State Intervention:

    • State started calling similar programs "diploma mills"
    • Programs being shut down across San Antonio
    • Father Alfonso (superintendent) advised: "Let's not continue because we don't want to get in any trouble with the state and our certifications"
    • All family members were certified educators at risk

Betrayal by Christian Counselor​

  • $500K Contract Exploitation:

    • Helped LPC supervisor bid and win school therapy contract
    • Used Ida's 30 years of expertise and district knowledge
    • "I knew all about the path to do that because I helped create it when I was at the district"

  • Broken Promises:

    • Was paying $500/month for supervision
    • Promised: No more supervision fees and lead therapist position
    • "Of course it was just verbal... But I believed her because she was a Christian"
    • Supervisor "suddenly forgot everything that she said"

  • Spiritual Lesson: "I ignored the Holy Spirit saying, stop giving her all your 30 years of information"

    • Had to dismiss supervisor through Texas Behavioral Health
    • "Meanwhile, she made half a million dollars"

Faith-Based Education Vision​

  • Kingdom Impact Priority: "I want to use all my gifts and talents and skills and expertise for the glory of God"

    • Desires collaboration with other believers
    • "Trying to impart that faith based learning. Like a Christian school"
    • Questions micro school voucher eligibility for Christian programs

  • Two Non-Negotiables:

    1. "I'm not trying to work more for less"
    2. Must use gifts for God's glory in faith-based environment

Family Business Opportunities​

  • Jesus's Property Development:

    • Meeting with investors for property/complex development
    • "He's got a couple of people who want to invest in property and build"
    • Ida supporting: "Yes, I'm with you. Whatever you want to do"

  • Alfonso's School Building Project:

    • Meeting with construction people about building a school
    • Looking for land with Jesus and Ida
    • Public school focus but exploring options

  • Gary's Vision: "I think it'd be really great if there was a family business that gets catalyzed... with your dad, Jesus, and Carlos"

    • Carlos showing more interest in construction/contractor work
    • "The current trajectory for some of the things Jesus is doing as a general contractor, Carlos is more interested in being involved"
    • Family always talked about creating a school together

Strategic Next Steps​

  • Primer Fellowship Approach:

    • Will do interview if selected
    • Will explain why she can't continue at lower compensation
    • "Maybe they'll want my input. Maybe they'll want some advice. But I would charge them"

  • Consulting Opportunity:

    • Offering expertise as paid consultant
    • Father's superintendent expertise available: "But he'll charge you. You know it's not free"
    • Acting as connector to resources and expertise

  • Last Chance Ministries Connection:

    • Meeting pastor at 9am to buy Christmas decorations
    • Real motive: "I have an ulterior motive. I need to meet the pastor"
    • Continuing exploration of ministry partnerships

Key Quotes​

  • "I'm like a comet going through the sky. For the past 30 years. I'm just like, what's next for me"
  • "There's nothing wasted" (about the fellowship exploration process)
  • "I give people help and information... she wouldn't have been able to do it without my expertise"
  • "I ignored the Holy Spirit saying, stop giving her all your 30 years of information"
  • "Building stuff is really valuable" (Gary about construction business)
  • "You don't need luck because... you're a child of God, so you got this" (to Gary about hackathon)

Action Items / Takeaways​

  • Ida will attend Primer interview if selected but explain compensation concerns
  • Continue exploring faith-based education opportunities at appropriate compensation
  • Meet with Last Chance Ministries pastor to explore partnership
  • Support Jesus's property development and Alfonso's school building initiatives
  • Consider paid consulting role for educational ventures
  • Gary participating in 48-hour AI safety hackathon with 28 hours remaining