Report of the Major Actions Taken During the Special DMCS Board Meeting of January 30, 2006
By Todd Goeldner, Board President, and Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent
President Todd Goeldner called the meeting to order in the Elementary Library on Monday, January 30, 2006.
Eleven (11) of the 12 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.
Nine members of the administrative team were also in attendance.
Several Association members were also in attendance.
Treasurer Terry Williams opened the meeting in prayer.
Business Manager Julia Veenstra and Mr. Williams gave an overview of the budget process and the highlights of the proposed budget for the 2006-2007 school year.
President Goeldner opened the floor for comments from Association members.
Secondary Administrative Assistant Jane Johnson encouraged the Board to make compensation more competitive with secular organizations, asking the Board to continue support of the employee tuition benefit.
Dr. Todd Troll, parent of 5 DMC students, asked the Board to carefully analyze the overall impact of a tuition increase and changes to the multi-student discount. He expressed a desire to be able to make contributions to cover the full cost of education for the tax benefits.
Jody Keithley, fifth grade instructor, stated that she prefers percentage discounts rather than flat fee discounts for multiple students.
Steve Olson, parent of 4 DMC students, indicated that paying 100% of the cost of education would have a negative impact on his family. He talked about the sacrifices which are necessary now.
[The current budget accounts for families paying 92% of the cost, with fundraising activities covering the remaining 8%.] Mr. Olson also suggested the idea of setting the budget at a lower percent (i.e., 5%) and being honest with Association members that they could be assessed later in the year for any shortfall of funds which are due to lower-than-anticipated enrollment at the start of the year.
Jeff Hinrichs, parent of 3 DMC students, expressed concern that a 7% tuition increase would be an excessive burden for his family.
Cheryl Minor, parent of 3 DMC students, asked about scholarship goals.
Dawn Vis, Development Assistant, asked the Board to carefully consider the capital fundraising goals and the fundraising goals for gap.
Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, read the input of two other Association members. Scott Riemenschneider indicated that he felt 7% was an excessive tuition increase. Kay Veldkamp shared the concern about the tuition increase, and she believes home school parents should pay for credited secondary courses.
Blake Griffin, parent of 2 DMC students, indicated that 7% is too large a tuition increase for his family. He and his wife, Cheryl, expressed a desire for their two daughters to stay at DMC and for their twin sons to also be at the school, but he stated that their current finances do not allow their enrollment.
Jeff Holt, former Board member and parent of 2 DMC students, expressed regard for the Board and limiting the tuition increase to 7%.
Steve Hall, Finance Committee Member, reminded the Board that the plan for Timberline construction clearly communicated the need for a minimal tuition increase of 5% for the facilities alone, so a 7% increase was not excessive in his view.
Loren Steenhoek, parent of 2 DMC students, called everyone’s attention to 1 Timothy 5:17, asking that people in the Association honor the “elders” who are attempting to make these difficult budget decisions. He stated that it is an honor to pay more for the school, which honors God and impacts lives.
Ryan Evans, DMC parent, expressed the need for a lower percentage of tuition increase.
Secretary Mary Jo Ytzen encouraged Association members to register early so that the Board can make better decisions about the finances of the school.
Leo Herbers, parent of 4 DMC students, expressed the belief that a 5% tuition increase is a better “sell” than 7%.
Jody Dadisman, parent of 4 DMC students, expressed concern about the impact of proposed multi-student discount changes on her family.
Following discussion of the Board, a vote on the proposed budget was taken. The Finance Committee budget proposal was not approved.
Secretary Mary Jo Ytzen proposed a change to the current multi-student discount structure. The motion did not carry.
The Board discussed several issues:
Treasurer Williams proposed a multi-student discount with the same percentages as the 2005-2006 school year. The motion did not carry.
Director Norm Dixon proposed a flat fee structure for multi-student discounts:
2nd Child $200 flat fee discount
3rd Child $500 flat feel discount
4th Child $1,150 flat fee discount
5th Child $2,250 flat fee discount
6th Child Free The motion carried.
Director Doug Cappel proposed a salary schedule base multiplier of $23,500 with the first 2 lines of the schedule frozen. The motion carried.
Secretary Ytzen proposed increasing budgeted enrollment by 1 student per grade level. The motion carried.
The Board charged Business Manager Veenstra with the task of creating financial scenarios for the remaining two variables: (1) tuition and (2) contribution income.
The Board agreed to begin the first standing Board meeting of February early in order to discuss and approve the final budget scenario for the 2006-2007 school year. The Open Session discussion of budget begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2006 in the Elementary Library.
Director Stephen Darnielle closed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting was adjourned.