Board meeting minutes from September - this is long

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Submitted by Laura Silflow

The Board of Directors of PIECE, Inc., d/b/a Heritage Christian School met for a regular

monthly board meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. in the library.

Board Members Present:

Cordell Miller

Dan Bates, Ken Wood, Michelle Nuss, Charles Kankelborg,

Board Members Absent:

None

Others Present:

Heide, Sally Carothers, Holly and Hudson Hart, Alicia Hazlett, Steve and Denise

Anderson, William Bradley, Loren and Heather Cantrell, Kathryn Darling, Daniel and

Joan Greenawalt, Lori Hart, Melissa Jardstrom, Mitzi Kaull, Scott Lundberg, DeWin and

Rochelle Madill, Kristi May, Tom and Sheri Reiner, Monica Remely, Shaun Shahan,

Becky and Jason Smith, Mark Stromberg, Cindy and Rusty Strickler, Mark Terwilliger

Matthew Henry, Ethel Gray, Wendy Hiebert, Laura Silflow, Gale

I. Call to Order

II. Devotional:

Cordell Miller shared about how to discern the voice of God. In Matt 4:1 it talks of satan

being the ultimate deceiver and how he tempted Jesus in the desert. When Jesus was

tempted he always answered with Scripture. Satan then used Scripture out of context to

try and deceive Jesus. So how do we protect ourselves from being misled? Cordell

handed out a sheet called “Indications of the Voice of God.” He shared how satan will

drive and push. God’s prompting however is simple, practical, definite, peaceful, and in

line with scripture. He then read II Cor 11:3-4 and Eph 6:10-18.

III. Prayer Time

Prayer was offered for: Sarah Rider, Aaron Rider and the Rider family, DeAnne Smith

who is battling lymphoma, the chocolate sale, Will Darling who broke his collar bone, all

in attendance to be respectful in their effort to find resolution

IV. Public Comment

Hudson Hart asked for a projection on the budget for this school year and if the adopted

budget will be close in light of enrollment. Dan B. said he would get back to Hudson H.

on that. Sheri Reiner started the discussion on the issue of the dress code which is why

several parents were at the meeting. She shared that several parents are upset because of

the way dress code issues were handled this week. She said her first reaction to hearing

what happened was that her kids won’t be here next year. She’s been at HCS a long time

and realizes some students will push the boundaries so she understands the need for a

dress code, but feels we are confusing the issue for the girls. How it is being handled

doesn’t make sense. Says these are really good kids and we are making them rebellious

which makes them not want to be here. She asked for HCS to let up a little bit, let them

wear skinny jeans. Feels HCS is being legalistic and she doesn’t see the point. Says the

school won’t grow with this type of thing happening. Monica R. asked for clarification

on what happened with the dress code. Mr. Henry shared that the secondary teachers

requested that the dress code be reviewed with the girls all together to help with

consistency. So he asked Mrs. Gray to meet with the girls. She met with them for 20

minutes and gave a power point presentation.

Kathryn D. shared that Mrs. Gray was very kind and gentle but feels there is a difference

between rules and regulations and principle. Feels when you focus just on the rules then

you have to keep adding to them. If the focus is on principle then the focus is more on

the heart issue. Feels if someone comes to school dressed immodestly, then they are

revealing what is in their heart which is a great opportunity for the staff to help them look

deeper at the heart issue. Feels this is more valuable than just focusing on the particulars.

Daniel Greenawalt thinks that our girls do dress modest and was grieved to hear of a

teacher who said: that is what whores wear. Some of the girls left that day in tears; this is

not how you do it. He has worked in youth ministry and knows if you label a kid, your

ability to minister to them goes out the window. His problem isn’t so much with the code

but in how it was handled. Asked the school to look at how we are approaching this.

Feels the enemy is trying to cause division in the ranks but said this issue does need to be

addressed because his kids, who use to love it here, are now pushing him to go elsewhere.

He doesn’t think it should be this way. Holly H. said her daughter came home Friday

crying. Her daughter feels the focus is now more on the staff catching them doing it

wrong. Her daughter wore something for a whole week and then she was told in the

meeting it was wrong. She also doesn’t want to attend HCS anymore. Joan Greenawalt

said that what made her feel sad is that the girls now feel dirty and she sees it is breeding

ground for rebellion. It’s a little thing but the enemy is using it to cause offense, feels

there has to be balance. She isn’t asking to throw out the focus on modesty but feels

there has to be a balance. Dan B. asked parents to guard their hearts and be willing to

hear the other side. Hudson H. feels this is a symptom of what is wrong in the school

which is a problem of control and not looking at the heart. He doesn’t feel the staff is

looking at what is right with the kids but what is wrong and is going on the attack. He

doesn’t see these situations being handled with love. Hudson H. directed his comments

to Mr. Henry and told him he is difficult to approach. He asked the Board to look into

this seriously before this school implodes. Dan B. asked the parents for time to look into

this issue so they can see how to fix it. Hudson H. says the Board has asked for time

before but has yet to see any fruit as a result.

Mrs. Gray thanked everyone for feedback. She said she’s had parents and students

coming to her to discuss what happened and some are saying thank you, it’s about time

and others who aren’t happy. She shared what she covered in her meeting with the girls.

She explained to them the standard as outlined in the handbook. They did talk about

principle, sharing what the heart of modesty meant. She focused on the aspect of dignity

and that we are bought with a price. She shared that the heart is to dress so the focus isn’t

on the body but on what is in their heart. She told them about a survey that was written

by two Christian brothers who asked other teenage boys what they would want to tellnd grader was called out class

girls. She encouraged the girls to look at the website. She showed pictures of the types

of dress she was talking about. She said there was laughter but no tears during the

meeting. She told the girls that her door is open to them. The child of a Board member

asked for her input on whether what she was wearing was appropriate, it was a good

discussion. She feels she is on the same page with parents and is not sure what happened

between Friday and Monday. She wonders why the girls didn’t come to her. Holly H.

was upset that her daughter was allowed to wear something for the first few weeks of

school and is now being told it’s not appropriate. Wonders why there hasn’t been

consistency.

Heather C. asked about the status of the P.E. teacher. Mr. Henry said an interim teacher

has been hired and the position will be advertised again. He said we are waiting for the

right person, preferably someone with a P.E. degree.

Bill Bradley only heard from his wife and daughter about the dress code issue. He said

his kids don’t want to be here anymore either. He said his 2

because he had a button missing. Said if we just move on, then many families may be

moving on. Parents work hard and sacrifice to send their kids here and he doesn’t want

the issue to be brushed over. Heather C. said they’ve been told that the Board will deal

with issues before but haven’t seen anything happening. Her kids also don’t want to go

here anymore. Feels what is happening here is a train wreck. Daniel G. is not upset

about the fact that they had a meeting with the girls but how the kids were pulled out of

the classroom and taken to the office. What can he say to turn their hearts back to

Heritage?

The Hart’s expressed frustration at the fact that Mr. Henry’s door is always closed and he

is often in meetings which makes it hard to have access to him. Dan B. asked Mr. Henry

to address the issue of his doors being closed. Mr. Henry shared that his door being

closed isn’t due to a desire to keep people out but simply so he can minimize distractions

and focus on getting done what he needs to get done. Mr. Henry let everyone know that

he would be glad to meet with them to discuss this issue further.

Lori Hart shared her concern about the fact that her children have worn the same clothes

for the last two years and now they are being told it’s not acceptable. Her daughter wears

tank tops for the purpose of modesty. She is hearing enough concern on this issue from

parents that she feels the dress code needs to be addressed. She said the hearts of the

girls are closed and that grieves her spirit. Ken W. acknowledged that the Board is

hearing the message that there is a problem with the dress code. Rochelle M. doesn’t

have a problem if they say no lace but does feel tank tops underneath clothing should be

allowed for the very purpose of modesty. Mr. Henry admits the dress code is a bit

convoluted. In regards to tank tops, he said it was fine if the girls wear a camisole or tank

top if what is over it is in compliance with the dress code. The problem the teachers were

having is that the girls were wearing t-shirts or camisoles or tank tops with just a vest or

scarf over it. The other issue is that they need to be no lower than two inches below the

collar bone. Mr. Henry said the heart is modesty but the guidelines are necessary because

we all have different interpretations of what that means.

Becky Smith asked the Board how they could present their issues so the response doesn’t

cause parents to dig their feet in. Charles K. said he sees three things: first there are

individual concerns that need to be handled individually i.e.: if a teacher handled

something in a way that concerns you, then parents need to go to the teacher first.

Secondly, if you go and are dissatisfied with the response, then take another with you.

Thirdly, he would ask parents to keep themselves from getting angry. He realizes in the

dress code issue there has been an enforcement problem but hopes Mrs. Gray and Mr.

Henry’s answers helped. The Board however will discuss the dress code further and will

discuss how it can be enforced more consistently. They are aware of the sacrifice it takes

to have ones children here. The last thing is the policy issue. He himself isn’t happy

with some of the dress code but if they are going to change the policy they need to get

input on it. It needs to be something the teachers can enforce and kids can follow and see

the reasonableness of it. Hudson H. suggested getting the kids involved in the process.

Feels this is a golden opportunity to bring their hearts back. Charles K. realizes it doesn’t

work to just put it on the agenda but the Board does see the need to handle this

differently.

Sally Carothers had a student last year who went to Belgrade Middle School to check it

out and came back to her and told her that previously he had hated the dress code but

after going to Belgrade he expressed gratitude for it. She wanted to say that she is not

afraid of Mr. Henry and hasn’t heard it from the other teachers. She has taught in four

other Christian schools and feels Mr. Henry is a great administrator. She knows he keeps

his door closed to get things done. Feels he is easy for her to talk to, listens to her and

comes along side her to help.

Mitzi Kaull said she and her husband have started the Peacemaker process with Mr.

Henry and feels it will help the school. She did want to apologize to the Board for telling

people what was going on. She does feel though, that it will continue happening if

people don’t trust the Board. She felt that what happened with them was a train wreck

but feels the Peacemaker process will help make this a better school and apologized again

for gossiping. Dan B. thanked Mitzi for her courage in saying what she said.

Holly H. says she is intimidated by Mr. Henry because of how some things have been

handled. Says she knows three other teachers who feel the same. Feels it’s a

communication style. She was hurt when she was written up about something and found

it her mailbox without being talked to first. She does feel intimidation is a problem and

doesn’t feel Mr. Henry’s door is open. Hudson H. mentioned a situation where he also

felt the door was closed to him. He thinks the administration needs to remember who

their customers are and that they are more important than talking with one another. Ken

W. asked that the Hart’s stop bashing Mr. Henry. Feels their issues and frustrations need

to be addressed but not in a public meeting. Dan B. suggested they meet with Mr. Henry

and the Board. Tim Gray did challenge the Board come up with a policy on how to deal

with problems better. He also feels however, that if someone has a problem it needs to be

dealt with personally, one on one, and not be brought to a public meeting and share

opinions about people that influences others people to view them negatively. He

encouraged everyone to please go through the process. It grieves him that people are all

ganging up and gossiping. He feels the parents are ripping the school down far more than

the kids are. If kids are coming home with a story then he challenged parents to check

the other side of the story.

Becky S. suggested putting together a group for the purpose of handling parent’s

grievances because she feels things aren’t being handled well. Dan B. agreed with Becky

but said we do have Gale Heide and Pastor Steve VanWinkle to help but feels many

problems can be resolved by first going to the people involved. If you need someone to

assist we have people to help with that. It is a communication issue.

Shaun Shahan shared that this is only the second time he’s attended a Board Meeting. He

feels we need to get it together because if we don’t, we won’t have a school. He thinks

everyone is trying hard. Said we have good teachers here and to remember that Mr.

Henry is only one person. He wanted to remind everyone that we are here because Christ

is most important. He is tired of the drama and thinks we as Christians need to be

different. He said yes, the Board can do a better job, but so can the parents. If people

want to leave, then leave, and if you want to stay, then stay. We are all on Christ’s side.

As far as the dress code, no matter what changes you make, someone won’t like it. Said

we do need to make it simple enough for teachers to enforce. Encouraged everyone to

calm down, said we can do this, we have to do this.

Mark Stromberg shared that he is a pastor and a new parent. His wife told him to come

because his wife said he was a peacemaker and she thought there would be conflict he

might be able to help with. He has been a minister for many years. This school has been

a tremendous blessing to his family. He has been involved in many Christian schools and

feels this is the best group of teachers he’s seen. They love the kids, they do so much

more than what they are paid for. He has no problem with the administration. We have

so much positive here, the kids are getting a great education. Any school and church will

have problems because there are people involved. Parents know the dress code and have

to take some responsibility for helping create the problem and will only be fixed if we are

part of the solution. He read I Cor. 13 on love. He pointed out that what has been said

tonight has not been kind; he reminded everyone that love always protects and promotes

the reputation of your neighbor. He reviewed the handbook and realizes that for the

purpose of Christian education we have to emphasize the basics because we won’t agree

on all things. He realizes we will have differences on piety. Yes, we can agree on

modesty, but there will be differences on what that means and we have to remember that

there is no way everyone will get their way. He recommends we put together a

committee made up primarily of parents from various churches and someone from the

Board and that the committee studies the dress code and come up with one that is simple,

realizing that not every person will be happy. He sees that the current dress code leaves

much to interpretation. Becky S. would like to also have kids on the committee. He

disagreed on that issue but said he could work with it.

V. Teacher Report – Holly Hart, Alicia Hazlett, Stephanie Swanson

Holly Hart teaches second grade. She shared that she has an army theme this year. She

showed the Board an army themed book she created for the purpose of communication

with the parents. They have 5

army drill game days where they get to do things like running though tires etc. They are

also studying the soil and she will be taking kids on a field trip to see glass blowing. Her

discipline plan this year includes the use of a poster where it shows whether a student is

living above the line and acting in a godly manner or below the line showing they are not

acting in a godly manner. If they are below the line then they have to stay in and do

exercises. Also, if they fall below the line then she makes it a point to talk with the

parents so she can work with them. Lauren C. wanted to share that his boys loved having

Mrs. Hart as a teacher because she is so creative.th and 6th grade reading buddies this year. They’ve had two

VI. Consent Agenda/Action Items

A. Approval of Minutes: Some changes were given to Laura S. from Michelle Nuss and

were approved with those changes.

B. Financial Report/Bills & Payroll: Financial Administrator, Wendy Hiebert, gave the

Board a handout to review.

VII. New Business

A. Review facility rental request: The Board was given a request from Word of Life

Church who would like to rent the facility now that Journey has left. Their Constitution,

By-Laws and Statement of Faith were given to the Board because when a church rents

the facility they become closely associated with the school. Ken W. asked how long they

want to sign the lease for. Mr. Henry said they haven’t discussed an ending date yet.

The rate we are giving them is $640/month or about $160 per Sunday. Michelle N.

wondered if what we are charging them would be enough to pay the lights. Charles K.

asked if this the same rate structure as Journey and Mr. Henry said that it was. Ken W.

made a motion that we rent to them. Michelle asked about help with finishing the floor.

Mr. Henry said Journey will take care of it during Christmas break. Charles K. amended

the motion to giving Mr. Henry the freedom to negotiate a deal with Word of Life

Church. Ken W. seconded it but would want to be involved in the decision of the final

rate. Motion carried.

VIII. Administrator Report

There was no ELC report due to Mrs. Christofferson being in the hospital with health

issues. Ken W. asked what the enrollment number was that we set our budget for.

Michelle N. said it was for an enrollment of 178 students.

IX. Executive Session

A. Approve staff contracts

B. Approve teacher contracts

C. Review hail damage assessment

X. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned in prayer at 10:51 P.M. The next regular Board meeting is

scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, 2010.

V. Teacher Report – Holly Hart, Alicia Hazlett, Stephanie Swanson

Board Meeting Minutes

September 21, 2010