Report of the Major Actions Taken During the DMCS Board Meeting on July 10, 2006
By Dan Grizzle, Board President, and Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent
Todd Goeldner, 2005-2006 Board President, called the Open Session meeting to order.
Ten (10) of the twelve 2005-2006 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.
Also in attendance were Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, and newly-elected 2006-2007 Board members Scott Erickson and Bruce Stanley.
Dr. Bob Stouffer introduced a Board study of worldview from Cedarville University. The Board viewed “Numb,” the first DVD from a series of seven sessions by Dr. Bill Brown, President of Cedarville University. Dr. Stouffer closed the devotional in prayer.
The 2005-2006 Board approved minutes of the Open Session meeting on June 29, 2006.
Retiring 2005-2006 Board members R. Kim Dreher, Stephen Darnielle, and Norm Dixon were recognized for their contributions to the school through their Board tenures. Mr. Dixon took a few moments to reflect positively on the successes of recent Boards to lead the school to the new campus, exhorting the 2006-2007 Board to be “The Board of a New Vision” for Des Moines Christian School.
Mr. Goeldner convened the organizational meeting of the 2006-2007 Board, calling the meeting to order as Designated Chair.
Mr. Goeldner administered the Oath of Office to Scott Erickson, Bruce Stanley, and re-elected Director Terry Williams. The 2006-2007 Board was officially seated as a Board.
The Board elected the following Directors to represent them as the Executive Committee of the Board:
Dan Grizzle President
Dr. Ben Ochs Vice-President
Mary Jo Ytzen Secretary
Terry Williams Treasurer
The following Directors accepted appointments to standing positions of the Board:
Cheryl Stenzel Child Abuse Investigator
Mary Jo Ytzen Conflict Resolution Agent
Doug Cappel Conflict Resolution Agent
Todd Toulouse Cub Scout and Boy Scout Representative of the Board
The Board reappointed Jeff Krausman of the Dickinson Law Firm as Legal Counsel to Des Moines Christian School for the 2006-2007 school year.
The Board passed a resolution to define Robert’s Rules of Order, 10th edition, as the operating rules and practices of the Board.
The Board determined the dates, times, and locations for regular meetings of the 2006-2007 school year.
President Dan Grizzle asked each of the Directors to indicate their first, second, and third choices for 2006-2007 Board committee assignments, indicating that he would publish a list of Board representatives on those committees in the near-future.
The Board adjourned to Closed Session.
President Grizzle called the Closed Session meeting to order.
Ten (10) of the 11 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.
Dr. Stouffer was also in attendance for the Closed Session meeting.
The Board approved minutes for the Closed Session meeting on June 29, 2006.
The Board approved Gary White as the new 5-12 Instrumental Music Instructor for the 2006-2007 school year. John Steddom, Secondary Principal, was in attendance during this Closed Session discussion.
With regrets, the Board accepted the resignation of Part-Time Custodian Kristie Lundeen.
The Board certified the call-down vote which officially approved Charlene Brown as the new first grade teacher for the 2006-2007 school year.
The Board reconvened in Open Session.
President Grizzle called the Open Session meeting to order.
Ten (10) of the 11 Directors were in attendance, representing a quorum.
Dr. Stouffer was also in attendance during this Open Session meeting.
The Board discussed options for adding the 12th Director to the Board, including (1) maintaining 11 Directors throughout the 2006-2007 school year, (2) appointing a 12th Director at this time, and (3) electing a 12th Director as soon as possible at the start of the school year. The Board voted to set a Special Election during the All-Parent meeting in August to fill the vacant Director’s position for a three-year term.
The Board discussed and approved the biblical worldview language submitted by the Secondary staff for the 2006-2007 Secondary Handbook.
The Board cancelled the second standing meeting of the Board on July 24, 2006 due to the unavailability of Dr. Stouffer, who will be on vacation at that time.
Elementary Principal Cade Lambert presented his views on class sizes and waiting lists, given the current enrollments of certain elementary grade levels at Des Moines Christian School. The Board offered input and agreed to empower Mr. Lambert and Business Manager Julia Veenstra to determine financially responsible, educationally sound solutions.
The Board engaged in 60 minutes of Board training, agreeing that regular training throughout the school year is in order.
Director Todd Toulouse closed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting was adjourned.