Board Notes

Chairman's Letter 3/21/2006

Chairman's Letter 3/21/20006
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

It is appropriate to begin this letter with Scripture, as it is the foundation of our school. The commandment of God to teach our children of His glory is the only way to raise up a Christ-like generation. As we enter the planning phase of our 13th year, the Board resolves that this be a school where God is glorified first in all things from administration and planning to academics and sports. The primary and paramount goal is that our students know God personally and see the world's culture, science, and events through the discernment of God's eyes.

While simple in concept, a number of things have changed from the first academic year with 12 highly involved parents and 18 students, embarking on the Godly notion that their children could be educated in a born-again Christian manner without the fetters of government-defined secular curriculums. Indeed, that is the very spirit that we wish to keep. That we, as ordinary Christians, can well prepare our children academically to accept leadership roles in society, Success has been possible through God's gracious provision.

Each one of our faculty, staff, board, and parents are members. Each one is a participant and a stakeholder in the education of our children. Each one has a vote in approving budgets and members of the Board. This is, today, a disappearing concept in the field of Christian education. Most schools do not develop their charters and by-laws this way. It is seen as inefficient to manage, and subject to much controversy. We have embraced it. We believe that working together will enable us to build stronger, lasting relationships. It portrays Christian life to our children. With parents, teachers and administrators working together we harness the spiritual, the talents, and character strengths of all of our members .

Shoreline Christian Shool's enrollment has grown and hence the faculty, budgets and challenges. As with any organization that experiences success, the Board must adapt its planning, policies, and procedures to serve a larger audience without compromising the original mission of the school. I have encapsulated the upcoming year's work under three headings:

Communication

If we wish to retain the cooperative spirit of our membership, that is, harness the God-givin gifts that each of our members brings, we must improve the lines of communication that enable the Board to make needs known and incorporate the strengths of the members. Members need insight into issues, without violating the spirit of confidentiality that some issues naturally require. Some form of open board meetings and feedback, use of our web page, and pastoral bridge are contemplated.

Endowment and Building Fund

The very real work and contributions of time and money of our members has enabled the school to keep tuitions lower than would ordinarily be possible. Through the use of the Matching Grant Program, supported by members and non-members, the school has always functioned without debt. As we move forward, the Board needs to formalize steady leadership and procedures for the endowment and building fund programs to finance future needs and defray the ever-rising costs of tuition.

Policies and Procedures
Some areas need clarification and/or formal policies include purchasing, by-laws, and budget development and review cycles. While this may seem detail-oriented, they will be the very policies and procedures that will be relied upon to guide the school to further responsible growth, free of debt and legal entanglements.

These goals provide ample good work for the Board, and its committees over the next year. None of it will come to fruition without the active seeking of God in these and all undertakings we pursue in the coming year. May the Lord continue to shine His wisdom on our path, that we may bring Glory to His name by raising up a generation in awe and reverence of Him.

Chris Caron
Chairman