Major Actions Taken During the DMC Board Meeting on Monday, February 4, 2008
By Dan Grizzle, DMC Board President, and Dr. Bob Stouffer, DMC Superintendent
President Dan Grizzle called the meeting to order in Open Session.
Twelve (12) of the 12 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.
Dr. Bob Stouffer, DMC Superintendent, was also in attendance.
Director Bill Woodyard presented devotional ideas from Chuck Swindoll’s book, Great Days with Great Lives (2005). Mr. Woodyard pointed to Exodus 19:1-13 as a reminder to the Board not to have a shallow view of God; we should hold God in profound awe and respect. “The Lord is our God; he is not our ‘buddy.’” Mr. Woodyard asked, “Are we teaching students to revere God at Des Moines Christian?” Mr. Woodyard referred to Esther 4:9-14 when asking, “Are we instilling character in our children so they can stand on their own two feet when facing the onslaught of a culture which operates from non-biblical worldviews? In closing, Mr. Woodyard read Acts 11:19-26, and asked, “Are we working together to do more for God?” We must magnify Christ in all that we do at Des Moines Christian School, Mr. Woodyard said.
Following his devotional, Mr. Woodyard opened the meeting in prayer.
The Board adjourned from Open Session and convened in Closed Session.
The Board approved Closed Session minutes for the Board meeting of January 21, 2008.
The Board approved recommended employees in all school departments for the 2008-2009 school year – Administration, Elementary, Secondary, Development, Early Education, Buildings and Grounds, Transportation, Business Office, and Food Service.
The Board approved Elementary Principal Cade Lambert as the new head varsity football coach for the 2008 season.
The Board approved Anna Bensend as a student teacher for Lynn McCool’s high school language arts classes.
The Board approved Sarah Lounsborough as a student teacher for first grade classes.
The Board approved Ann Walker as a student teacher for Sharon Zonnefeld, 2nd Grade.
The Board approved a stipend for second semester Sound Technician Derek Holt.
With regret, the Board accepted Secondary Art Teacher Karen Kehoe’s resignation.
The Board approved the following Early Education employees –
Dr. Stouffer left the meeting; the Board met in Executive Session and approved Dr. Stouffer’s contract for 2008-2010.
The Board adjourned from Closed Session and reconvened in Open Session.
The Board approved Open Session minutes for Board meetings on January 21, 2008 and January 28, 2008.
After a lengthy discussion, the Board approved an adjustment to the 2008-2009 budget approved on January 28, 2008. The Employee Tuition Benefit for full-time employees was changed from 70% to 75% in the updated budget. Business Manager Julia Veenstra was in attendance to interact with and answer questions of the Board during the discussion.
The Board agreed to add an agenda item, discussing the best system for prioritizing and assigning to kindergarten and other grade levels impacted by high enrollment. Elementary Principal Cade Lambert was in attendance to interact with and answer questions of the Board during the discussion.
The Board approved an updated employee application.
The Board approved the recommended sharing agreement between Des Moines Christian and the Urbandale Community School District for DMC use of the new athletic stadium for football during the 2008 season.
The Board approved the proposed calendar for the 2008-2009 school year.
The Board read Board Policy Code No. 201.4A, Board Candidate Application for the 2nd of 3 required readings prior to approval. The readings of all other listed Board policies were tabled due to time constraints.
Time constraints prevented discussion or action on updating of the strategic plan and proposed revisions to the Board committee application.
The Board agreed to meet earlier on Monday, February 18, 2008 (6 p.m.) to read Board policy and to discuss items tabled during the meeting on February 4, 2008.
Dr. Stouffer closed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting was adjourned.