Usually when you think of a Retreat, you picture a quiet setting by the lake spending the day reading and relaxing as you refresh from the strain of normal day-to-day demands. Well, our Retreat is part of that. The Board spends the day at Lake Quivira. However, we didn't do much relaxing. We had a full agenda, and thanks to our Lord and to the hearts of the Board for action and unity, we accomplished much.
First up was a devotional emphasizing the right perspective on leadership. 1) Think rightly about ourselves. Paul emphasizes in I Corinthians 4:1-2 that we are a galley slave to our Lord. We are broken vessels designed for service to Him and others. 2) In John 15:1-8, we are reminded that our only source of strength is through the vine as long as we are grafted in. 3) That the office of leadership is a weighty responsibility not to be entered into lightly as James 3:1-2 reminds us.
Our first order of business was to look at our Board structure in light of recent resignations from the Board including mine. Since I have become an employee of the school I can no longer serve on the Board. So I am delighted to report that Blake Welch was named Chairman and will also serve in the office of Treasurer. Sean Slattery will continue as Vice Chairman where he served as an invaluable partner for me as we considered actions and plans for the Board. Brandyn West assumed the role of Secretary. As the Board continues to mature and adapt to the changing environment, we spent some time talking about the right structure of the school including whether the committee structure we currently operate under is the right one for the future. After some discussion, this was tabled for the next Board meeting and members were asked to pray, review By-Laws and an ad hoc committee was commissioned to come back with a recommendation for changes. Any additions of new members to the Board will be postponed until that recommendation is dealt with.
Next up on the agenda, was clarification of the priorities for the superintendents for this year and beyond. This list of key themes will serve the bases for the strategic plan for the school. The top 3 things for this year are: 1) Accreditation renewal, 2) Attract/Retain students (develop a plan and action steps to ensure we are doing everything we can to encourage families to stay and new families to choose Maranatha) and 3) Personnel - evaluate whether culture,activities and people are positioned and enabled to bring the most success to the ministry. Other things on the list in lower priority (you can't put in-depth focus on everything at once) but also very important: Plans for facilities (especially North Campus), Web site, Top Line Revenue(outside of students), outbound communications, academic initiatives, environment evaluation for trends and risks, technology(both ease of doing business with Maranatha and integrating tech in classroom) and ensuring the success of the preschool.
Finally we devoted time to discussing various situations that may arise and how the superintendents will respond and what their responsibilities are. Then we sought clarity for what the Board's role was in each of these situations so that as a group we are consistent and unified.
So a very productive day, and we are so grateful for the Lord's presence in this meeting and for His guidance in all our actions and planning. Thank you for your prayers as we continue to work on these plans for leading the school.
New Landscaping
Beautiful new landscaping
Monday, October 3, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Administration and Board Roles
Periodically, the school faces a difficult challenge that has many facets, perspectives and impacts on our family. We are in the midst of one of those situations now. I am not going to discuss that situation's details here. The facts are that our elementary music teacher handed in his resignation this past Monday. It would not be appropriate or fair to anyone to do discuss any further details. I am praying that our whole family would not be discussing this situation either unless you are specifically going to those directly involved who must make the decisions about what to do. Satan would love nothing better than to create division and strife in our school. Please do not allow him to do so.
From a chairman's perspective, as well as the superintendent-elect, I wanted to also remind you that we do have a process that administration consistently follows. They are doing so in this case as well. In every step, they are prayerful, thoughtful and seeking fairness and desire to administer justice with compassion.
In addition, the Board's role in this process is that they are not involved. The decision of the administration, and specifically the superintendent, is final. The Board does not serve as a Supreme Court hearing appeals. Our role is to evaluate the effectiveness of the superintendent. We may share some perspective with the administration with the intent to inform, but we must leave that portion of information in their hands to synthesize with all other factors and trust them to make the right decision. If we can't trust them, then we must engage in our role of evaluating effectiveness. The Board does not pressure the administration into acting a certain way or we are overstepping our boundaries. The Board sets policies and reviews the superintendent for performance. The administration runs the school.
I pray that you will help the school by allowing this process to be handled confidentially, fairly and effectively by not spreading rumors with the risk of dividing our family. If you have facts to share, please get them to the administration. Then trust the Lord and the administration to take all factors - and trust me there are many factors some of which can not be made public in consideration of all parties' confidentiality concerns - into consideration and deal with this situation in a Biblical, fair and appropriate manner.
And in all things pray fervently for unity of the body and glory to God.
From a chairman's perspective, as well as the superintendent-elect, I wanted to also remind you that we do have a process that administration consistently follows. They are doing so in this case as well. In every step, they are prayerful, thoughtful and seeking fairness and desire to administer justice with compassion.
In addition, the Board's role in this process is that they are not involved. The decision of the administration, and specifically the superintendent, is final. The Board does not serve as a Supreme Court hearing appeals. Our role is to evaluate the effectiveness of the superintendent. We may share some perspective with the administration with the intent to inform, but we must leave that portion of information in their hands to synthesize with all other factors and trust them to make the right decision. If we can't trust them, then we must engage in our role of evaluating effectiveness. The Board does not pressure the administration into acting a certain way or we are overstepping our boundaries. The Board sets policies and reviews the superintendent for performance. The administration runs the school.
I pray that you will help the school by allowing this process to be handled confidentially, fairly and effectively by not spreading rumors with the risk of dividing our family. If you have facts to share, please get them to the administration. Then trust the Lord and the administration to take all factors - and trust me there are many factors some of which can not be made public in consideration of all parties' confidentiality concerns - into consideration and deal with this situation in a Biblical, fair and appropriate manner.
And in all things pray fervently for unity of the body and glory to God.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Board Retreat
Well, we call it a Retreat, but it is a 7 hour working session that is held at Lake Quivira. We have a full agenda for this Saturday, and we are set up now with 2 main things to cover: 1) Board structure (with me stepping down from Board Chair and recent losses of Board members we have to select a new Chair and make some Committee reassignments), 2) Board Expectations - the desire is to be crystal clear what the Board desires to be accomplished over the next 10 months of both Dr. Daugherty and I. We also want to review the relationship of the Board with the Superintendents to clarify roles and responsibilities.
I ask for your prayer as we invest this time in these critical discussions. We want the Lord's will not our own.
I ask for your prayer as we invest this time in these critical discussions. We want the Lord's will not our own.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
God's Sign Posts for Me
God knew my faith needed to have clear, unmistakable sign posts when He called me to such a significant change in careers. He also knew that the process would need to be smooth and not sudden. I give Him such praise that He stooped to gently meet my level of faith so that I would not miss this opportunity. Through this experience, my faith has grown significantly and my perspective on events in life are viewed with a different perspective. Nothing occurs due to chance. God, in His sovereignty, ordains all and yet He asks us to choose to follow Him and bring glory to Him in all that we do.
My story is really broken into two stages: 1) cultivation and 2) harvesting. Cultivation started as the Lord prepared me for such a time as this when He placed me in an educator's home. My godly father is an educator teaching math for 49 years and woodworking for about 25 years. Hearing how he impacted students and families through seeing teaching as much more than just math but about life, shaped my desire to be in and around education. So within just a few short years of graduating college I was a high school basketball coach and serving as a school board member. Additionally, I was often called on to serve as a Sunday School, small group or youth group teacher. I found much joy in seeing students not only grasp the knowledge, but seeing them make practical application of anything from the logic of a math equation to the ability to lead a team to rise to a challenge.
My father also had a profound impact on my life when I was in junior high and I just finished working with a group of high school and junior high kids to organize them in a game of softball. He pulled me aside and said, "After watching you organize all those older kids into a game of softball, I think God is going to use you as a leader throughout life." Those words have been a real encouragement to me throughout all the ups and downs of leadership over the years.
Harvesting began much more recently. There are two threads of harvesting the Lord worked out in His perfect timing. One was through my almost 21 years at American Century Investments. He had them invest countless thousands of dollars in leadership training on me, gave me countless coaching opportunities to deal with multiple personalities and situations and increasing responsibilities to prove character qualities. But the real story was the ending. The first 11 years at ACI, they were growing and never had a layoff. Over the course of the next decade we had 4 layoffs that I was impacted by. The first three I helped decide how to reduce staff. In the last 2 of those, I went to my boss and recommended that my position be eliminated. But God worked through that godly man to say no. It wasn't God's timing. However, this past April, God orchestrated that godly man to leave ACI and I guessed I would soon follow.
I interrupt that story to pick up the other thread. When Kevin McCracken and Kevin Bergerhofer first suggested I consider Maranatha Board membership, I deflected. The second time Kevin M nominated me, I accepted. What has followed has been a rapid working of God grabbing my heart and mind to invest myself in His ministry at Maranatha. Although Kevin said it for years, I didn't think Board chair was in my future, but obviously God did. And I have LOVED serving in that capacity. He knew I would. By serving as chairman, I had the privilege to walk alongside Dr. Daugherty to get a taste of what he knows and the breadth of experience he has. I heard his heart as we discussed the possibilities of the future and gained some appreciation for what he does on a daily basis. So when I went to the ISM training for Board presidents, God used that time to convince me He wanted me to be open to becoming the new superintendent. Throughout all the steps of the process that followed, and at each step I asked the Lord to shut the door when I should stop going forward, He kept giving me green lights when I expected the opposite.
So now the two threads merge in August as ACI eliminated my position and gave me a wonderful severance package and the Board began considering my candidacy. Throughout all the prayers, discussions and considerations, God's hand was very evident culminating in the unanimous vote by the Board. Add Dr. Daugherty's very important support of the process and my selection, and I could not be more excited and confident. But those emotions are not based on me or these events, but on the God who has guided me to this time, place and position.
I want to thank each teacher, staff person, parent and student who have given me words of encouragement and advice. I look forward to serving God together in this ministry and anxious to see how He will grow His ministry.
My story is really broken into two stages: 1) cultivation and 2) harvesting. Cultivation started as the Lord prepared me for such a time as this when He placed me in an educator's home. My godly father is an educator teaching math for 49 years and woodworking for about 25 years. Hearing how he impacted students and families through seeing teaching as much more than just math but about life, shaped my desire to be in and around education. So within just a few short years of graduating college I was a high school basketball coach and serving as a school board member. Additionally, I was often called on to serve as a Sunday School, small group or youth group teacher. I found much joy in seeing students not only grasp the knowledge, but seeing them make practical application of anything from the logic of a math equation to the ability to lead a team to rise to a challenge.
My father also had a profound impact on my life when I was in junior high and I just finished working with a group of high school and junior high kids to organize them in a game of softball. He pulled me aside and said, "After watching you organize all those older kids into a game of softball, I think God is going to use you as a leader throughout life." Those words have been a real encouragement to me throughout all the ups and downs of leadership over the years.
Harvesting began much more recently. There are two threads of harvesting the Lord worked out in His perfect timing. One was through my almost 21 years at American Century Investments. He had them invest countless thousands of dollars in leadership training on me, gave me countless coaching opportunities to deal with multiple personalities and situations and increasing responsibilities to prove character qualities. But the real story was the ending. The first 11 years at ACI, they were growing and never had a layoff. Over the course of the next decade we had 4 layoffs that I was impacted by. The first three I helped decide how to reduce staff. In the last 2 of those, I went to my boss and recommended that my position be eliminated. But God worked through that godly man to say no. It wasn't God's timing. However, this past April, God orchestrated that godly man to leave ACI and I guessed I would soon follow.
I interrupt that story to pick up the other thread. When Kevin McCracken and Kevin Bergerhofer first suggested I consider Maranatha Board membership, I deflected. The second time Kevin M nominated me, I accepted. What has followed has been a rapid working of God grabbing my heart and mind to invest myself in His ministry at Maranatha. Although Kevin said it for years, I didn't think Board chair was in my future, but obviously God did. And I have LOVED serving in that capacity. He knew I would. By serving as chairman, I had the privilege to walk alongside Dr. Daugherty to get a taste of what he knows and the breadth of experience he has. I heard his heart as we discussed the possibilities of the future and gained some appreciation for what he does on a daily basis. So when I went to the ISM training for Board presidents, God used that time to convince me He wanted me to be open to becoming the new superintendent. Throughout all the steps of the process that followed, and at each step I asked the Lord to shut the door when I should stop going forward, He kept giving me green lights when I expected the opposite.
So now the two threads merge in August as ACI eliminated my position and gave me a wonderful severance package and the Board began considering my candidacy. Throughout all the prayers, discussions and considerations, God's hand was very evident culminating in the unanimous vote by the Board. Add Dr. Daugherty's very important support of the process and my selection, and I could not be more excited and confident. But those emotions are not based on me or these events, but on the God who has guided me to this time, place and position.
I want to thank each teacher, staff person, parent and student who have given me words of encouragement and advice. I look forward to serving God together in this ministry and anxious to see how He will grow His ministry.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Enrollment
As I mentioned in my August 26th post, our enrollment is down. In fact, it is below 500 students in K-12 for the first time in over a decade. We are hovering just below 470 students. First of all, God is not surprised by this, and He gave us a best-in-a-long-time financial year last year that should help us weather this situation. We are continuing to evaluate all of our methods for attracting families to Maranatha, and will be doing whatever we can to do so.
When I attended Independent School Management's (ISM) training for Board Presidents in June, we discussed marketing at some length. It was reiterated that the 2 strongest tools that need to be deployed with purpose are word of mouth and our website. We have made strides with our web site, but we will continue to work on it to make the best introduction to Maranatha that it can be.
Secondly, we need everyone in our current Maranatha family to become evangelists for the school. That includes teachers doing everything they can to make their students recommend that other students take their class. They also should take every opportunity to convince the parents that they would find it difficult to find a better teacher for their subject. Make parents ask for your class, teachers! That means parents, you need to be talking up Maranatha to your Christian friends. Students, you need to do the same. Staff and other servants of the school, we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to make Maranatha a welcoming place and the best it can be.
Now I know there are issues that you have encountered that might make you hesitate to recommend the school. Have you taken those issues to those who can do something about it? Have they done anything? Have you followed a good path for escalating it? Have you been as much a part of the solution as you can be? Board, Administration, faculty, staff, are we do everything we can to make the school attractive by raising the bar and responding to these detracting issues? I think these are all questions that we need to ask ourselves. This is God's ministry and we are part of it. And if we are part of it, we need to be invested in making it the best it can be. Then we must go share the good news with others so that an increasing number of families can have us as a partner to preparing their children for making an impact for our Lord in this fallen world.
Well, there is my heart. I pray that it finds a empathetic ear, and that we will all pray to our Sovereign Lord and then choose to do our part in His ministry.
When I attended Independent School Management's (ISM) training for Board Presidents in June, we discussed marketing at some length. It was reiterated that the 2 strongest tools that need to be deployed with purpose are word of mouth and our website. We have made strides with our web site, but we will continue to work on it to make the best introduction to Maranatha that it can be.
Secondly, we need everyone in our current Maranatha family to become evangelists for the school. That includes teachers doing everything they can to make their students recommend that other students take their class. They also should take every opportunity to convince the parents that they would find it difficult to find a better teacher for their subject. Make parents ask for your class, teachers! That means parents, you need to be talking up Maranatha to your Christian friends. Students, you need to do the same. Staff and other servants of the school, we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to make Maranatha a welcoming place and the best it can be.
Now I know there are issues that you have encountered that might make you hesitate to recommend the school. Have you taken those issues to those who can do something about it? Have they done anything? Have you followed a good path for escalating it? Have you been as much a part of the solution as you can be? Board, Administration, faculty, staff, are we do everything we can to make the school attractive by raising the bar and responding to these detracting issues? I think these are all questions that we need to ask ourselves. This is God's ministry and we are part of it. And if we are part of it, we need to be invested in making it the best it can be. Then we must go share the good news with others so that an increasing number of families can have us as a partner to preparing their children for making an impact for our Lord in this fallen world.
Well, there is my heart. I pray that it finds a empathetic ear, and that we will all pray to our Sovereign Lord and then choose to do our part in His ministry.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Preschool Makeover
Last Spring we hired a consultant, Christy Smith, to come look over our preschool from top to bottom: operations, marketing, personnel, etc. and give us an idea of what an outsider and an expert in the field thought we were doing well and what we could improve. Her SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis showed us a formula that would help us raise the preschool to a new level and help us attract additional families.
The Finance Committee was the sponsor for seeking this investigation and we met with Christy this past week to have her report on how she has helped the leadership and faculty in the preschool to take her SWOT analysis and convert it into action. We were delighted with the work that has been done and the structure that has been added. As Christy said, the level of caring and commitment to loving the kids is a wonderful strength that was evident and great foundation to build upon. We believe that as Mrs. Daughtery and Beth Fuller lead the preschool team to carry out and live the action plan set forth, we will continue to raise the quality and the attractiveness of the preschool. This will take the commitment of everyone involved with the preschool, and from Christy's report, the team is all in and enthusiastically striving to enact the plan.
The Board is very interested in this work as the preschool is the only place where we have open enrollment and therefore have the opportunity to minister to families that do not sign a like-faith agreement. In addition, the preschool serves as a major feeder into our kindergarten and an introduction to Maranatha to many families. Finally, the preschool is a significant profit generator which helps relieve upward pressure on tuition costs.
So when you have the opportunity, pray for, thank and encourage all those involved for their work on this important action plan. Also, stop by and see the visible changes that have been made to the classrooms. They look great - engaging, fun, and inspiring.
A quick sample of other focus areas:
* Implement additional structure for introducing new families to the school
* New ideas for marketing the school
* A structured process for following up on prospective families
* New plan for making the curriculum more visible and engaging
* Training for teachers in the new culture
The Finance Committee was the sponsor for seeking this investigation and we met with Christy this past week to have her report on how she has helped the leadership and faculty in the preschool to take her SWOT analysis and convert it into action. We were delighted with the work that has been done and the structure that has been added. As Christy said, the level of caring and commitment to loving the kids is a wonderful strength that was evident and great foundation to build upon. We believe that as Mrs. Daughtery and Beth Fuller lead the preschool team to carry out and live the action plan set forth, we will continue to raise the quality and the attractiveness of the preschool. This will take the commitment of everyone involved with the preschool, and from Christy's report, the team is all in and enthusiastically striving to enact the plan.
The Board is very interested in this work as the preschool is the only place where we have open enrollment and therefore have the opportunity to minister to families that do not sign a like-faith agreement. In addition, the preschool serves as a major feeder into our kindergarten and an introduction to Maranatha to many families. Finally, the preschool is a significant profit generator which helps relieve upward pressure on tuition costs.
So when you have the opportunity, pray for, thank and encourage all those involved for their work on this important action plan. Also, stop by and see the visible changes that have been made to the classrooms. They look great - engaging, fun, and inspiring.
A quick sample of other focus areas:
* Implement additional structure for introducing new families to the school
* New ideas for marketing the school
* A structured process for following up on prospective families
* New plan for making the curriculum more visible and engaging
* Training for teachers in the new culture
Friday, September 2, 2011
Board Members
God is sovereign and many times works in and around our lives in ways we don't understand. I will admit that I don't know why he has chosen to allow events and circumstances to cause all the change to our Board membership that has happened over the past three months. But I am confident that He will work all of this to His glory and to the furthering of His ministry at Maranatha.
As you will recall, Andy Hageman left the Board as he took a job opportunity in Nebraska in the Spring of this year. Last night we had two more gentlemen leave the Board for two different reasons. Shawn Stewart felt led by the Lord to home school his children this year and felt like that would present a difficult position to serve on the Board. Dennis Wiley resigned in light of being in a season of time where his business needs his undivided attention.
Both of these men expressed their fervent ongoing support of Maranatha and our mission. We will keep them in our prayers as they work through these transitions and challenges, and they have promised to keep us in their prayers asking God to do a mighty work through the ministry of Maranatha.
Upon Andy's departure, we were blessed to find a wonderful new member in Chris Lyon. Chris has already made his presence felt with his legal and HR background as we continue to work on succession plans.
We are considering a few paths of how we will respond to the absence of these men in light of the extremely heavy work year for the Board. Please pray for guidance in our deliberations and unity in our decisions.
As you will recall, Andy Hageman left the Board as he took a job opportunity in Nebraska in the Spring of this year. Last night we had two more gentlemen leave the Board for two different reasons. Shawn Stewart felt led by the Lord to home school his children this year and felt like that would present a difficult position to serve on the Board. Dennis Wiley resigned in light of being in a season of time where his business needs his undivided attention.
Both of these men expressed their fervent ongoing support of Maranatha and our mission. We will keep them in our prayers as they work through these transitions and challenges, and they have promised to keep us in their prayers asking God to do a mighty work through the ministry of Maranatha.
Upon Andy's departure, we were blessed to find a wonderful new member in Chris Lyon. Chris has already made his presence felt with his legal and HR background as we continue to work on succession plans.
We are considering a few paths of how we will respond to the absence of these men in light of the extremely heavy work year for the Board. Please pray for guidance in our deliberations and unity in our decisions.
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