Summary of Major Actions Taken During the DMCS Board Meeting on October 2, 2006
By Dan Grizzle, DMCS Board President, and Dr. Bob Stouffer, DMCS Superintendent
President Dan Grizzle called the meeting to order in the Elementary Teachers’ Workroom.
Twelve (12) of the 12 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum. Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, was also in attendance.
Dr. Stouffer led the Board through a viewing of “Check,” a dramatization of the Naturalism worldview; the DVD also included teaching about Naturalism by Dr. Bill Brown, President of Cedarville University. Following this worldview devotional, Dr. Stouffer opened the meeting in prayer.
The Board adjourned to Closed Session.
Twelve (12) of the 12 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.
The Board approved Closed Session minutes for the meeting of September 18, 2006.
The Board excused Dr. Stouffer and convened in Executive Session.
Dr. Stouffer returned to the meeting, and the Board reconvened in Closed Session.
The Board approved Nancy Johnson as an Educational Associate in Kindergarten for the 2006-2007 school year.
The Board approved Kelly Gunn as an Elementary Substitute Teacher.
The Board approved Barbara Hawley as an Elementary Substitute Teacher.
The Board approved Jonathan Beard as a Secondary Substitute Teacher.
The Board approved Shantoria Orr as an Early Education Substitute.
The Board approved Stefanie Tasler as an Early Education Substitute.
The Board approved Jena VanDenBerg as an Elementary Associate and Junior High Cheerleading Coach for the 2006-2007 school year.
The Board approved Dave Bosman as a Part-Time Bus Driver.
The Board adjourned from Closed Session and reconvened in Open Session.
Twelve (12) of the Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum. Dr. Stouffer was also in attendance.
The Board approved Open Session minutes for the meeting on September 18, 2006.
During Communication from the Association, Association Member and DMCS Staff Member Marie Eikenberry gave input about the current Board policy which requires full-time staff members to enroll their school-aged children at DMC, except when exceptions are granted by the Board.
The Board read 33 Board policies. Due to time constraints, all other policies listed on the agenda were tabled.
Secondary Principal John Steddom was present to give an update about Secondary programs and to answer questions of the Board.
The Board approved Mr. Steddom’s sabbatical during the week of October 23, 2006. Mr. Steddom will be visiting Christian schools in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana; and he will conclude his sabbatical with attendance at a Worldview Weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 27-28.
Linda Steddom, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, was present to answer questions of the Board and to engage in conversation about her annual report, the Annual Progress Report required by the Iowa Department of Education, and documents comparing the academic performance of DMCS students in comparison to other Metro schools.
The Board approved the Finance Committee’s recommended adjustments to the 2006-2007 school budget, based on final enrollment, hiring, and insurance numbers.
The Board approved the Finance Committee’s recommended use of construction project overage monies for completion of two-story building storage cabinetry.
The Board approved the Finance Committee’s recommended use of excess funds from the 2005-2006 school year. A percentage of those monies were allocated for such items as funded depreciation, the purchase of additional tables and chairs, curriculum, and payment toward the principal of a loan.
The Board approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation for a new Finance Committee member, Jeff Knollenberg. DMCS Teachers Jody Keithley and Dennis Gonnerman were also approved as new FC members.
Dr. Stouffer gave an update about the progress of the school’s strategic plan. The Board’s new Strategic Prioritization Committee (a pilot committee for 2006-2007) met for the first time on October 2, 2006. The committee – comprised of the Board President, Superintendent, and Chairs of the standing Board committees – are meeting regularly to coordinate communication about and action with the school’s key strategic initiatives.
Dr. Ben Ochs, Board Vice-President, closed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting was adjourned.