Summary of Major Actions Taken by the Board During the June 4, 2007 DMC Board Meeting

By Dan Grizzle, DMC Board President, and Dr. Bob Stouffer, DMC Superintendent

President Dan Grizzle called the meeting to order.

Nine (9) of the 11 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.

Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, and Russ Rowley, newly-elected Director Russ Rowley were also in attendance.

Dr. Stouffer played a segment of Focus on the Family’s “The Truth Project” as the final biblical worldview devotional for the 2006-2007 Board meetings.  In this session, Dr. Del Tackett, instructor, asked the question, “Why did Jesus come into the world?”  The answer:  To testify to the truth.  Dr. Tackett encourages believers to “gaze upon the face of God” for biblical answers to cultural questions.  Dr. Tackett said, “There is no direction you can travel in which God has not spoken and given us the fundamental answers to the questions of life.”  Dr. Stouffer strongly encouraged all of the Board members to take advantage of any opportunity to complete “The Truth Project” study. 

Dr. Stouffer opened the meeting in prayer.

The Board adjourned to Closed Session.

The Board approved minutes for the Closed Session meeting on May 21, 2007.

The Board approved Sharla DeZwarte as the new high school science instructor for the 2007-2008 school year, pending the state’s new requirement for a criminal background check.

The Board approved Sarah Eilers as the new junior high school English instructor for the 2007-2008 school year, pending the state’s new requirement for a criminal background check.

The Board approved Sharon Zonnefeld as the new second grade instructor for the 2007-2008 school year, pending the state’s new requirement for a criminal background check. 

The Board reconvened in Open Session.

Following Business Manager Julia Veenstra’s presentation about the gymnasium floor damage and options for repair, the Board authorized the plan for replacement of the damaged floor with a new Anderson Ladd floor.  Mrs. Veenstra announced the opportunity for the Association to save $7,500 by assisting with the removal of the damaged flooring, starting at Noon on Friday, June 29, 2007.  Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Cliff Anderson and Secondary Principal John Steddom also offered counsel during this agenda topic. 

The Board approved minutes for the Open Session meeting on May 21, 2007.

During the Communication from the Association or Public, Mr. Steddom offered his input about the impact of the proposed revisions to the Board policy on the admission of international students at DMC.

During the Communication from the Association or Public, DMC Substitute Teacher Katheryn Anderson offered input on the possibility of a tuition benefit for regular DMC substitute teachers. 

During the Communication from the Association or Public, Steve and Carmen Kopf requested Board consideration for an employee tuition benefit to fund a portion of the tuition with their hosted foreign exchange student during the 2007-2008 school year.

The Board reviewed nine Board policies.  Due to time constraints, all other listed Board policies were tabled.

Mrs. Veenstra and Elementary Principal Cade Lambert presented a proposal for additional sections of 1^st and 3^rd grades in 2007-2008.  If enrollment reaches 55 at a point during the summer, Mr. Lambert has authority to create another section in either/both grade level.

The Board approved the new K-12 Language Arts / Reading / English / Spelling / Writing curriculum and resources to be implemented during the 2007-2008 school year.  Director of Curriculum and Assessment Linda Steddom was present to answer questions of the Board.  The Board and PTF Chair Doug Cappel expressed thanks to Mrs. Steddom and all other members of the curriculum committee for their work during the past two school years. 

The Board approved major handbook changes for the 2007-2008 school year.  Mr. Steddom answered questions of the Board during this discussion and prior to final decisions.

The Board approved the request of Steve and Carmen Kopf for an employee tuition benefit during the time they are hosting a foreign exchange student in 2007-2008, pending acceptance through all existing enrollment policies.

The Board approved a cooperative athletic sharing agreement with Ankeny Christian Academy for 2008 softball and soccer.

The Board approved the music trip to Orlando, Florida during the 2007-2008 school year.

The Board approved an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate to employees for school-related travel from 22 cents to 35 cents per mile. 

Dr. Stouffer gave an update about his progress in monitoring the new laws impacting Des Moines Christian School.  Association Member Linda Chisholm was in attendance during this discussion. 

Discussions of the DMC Emergency Plan and the policy which limits the number of Directors from any given church were tabled due to time constraints.

Director Doug Cappel closed the meeting in prayer.

The meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting of the DMC Board of Directors is scheduled for Monday, July 9, 2007.