HEADLINE STORY
Friday, January 7, 2005

We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to this ministry and to wish you a blessed New Year. It is also our desire to share several important changes as we move into 2005. We will cover as best we can some of the changes below. However, we would invite you to attend an informational meeting to be held in the SFPC Sanctuary on either Tuesday, January 11, or Thursday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m. These meetings are designed to provide you with more detail on the topics discussed below. We look forward to a dialogue with you on these issues.

First, your Board has received and accepted two resignations from the Administration of the school. Effective immediately Steve Whaley, Development Director and Doug McLaughlin, Headmaster, have resigned from their positions. These changes are hard. Both Doug and Steve will be missed by all of us. However, these changes will enable the school to both grow into the future as well as address issues that are critical and immediate. Our prayers and support are with Doug and Steve, as well as their families.

During this period of change, Brenda Hillman will assume the role of Acting Headmaster. Brenda has the full support of the Board and will provide our school with the needed leadership during the transition. Brenda is well liked and respected by students, parents and staff. We are excited and confident in her abilities during these times.

While Brenda leads our school ministry, the Board will organize a search for both a new Headmaster as well as a Development Director. Our search committee will consist of members from all facets of our ministry: church leadership, School Board members, faculty and parents. We want and value your input on our school leadership.

Second, Shannon Forest Christian School is quite literally starving for cash. School operations have been running well within the allotted budget. The issue is related to cash flow, a lack of which has placed a stranglehold on school finances. Please allow us to iterate that the school is financially sound and there has been no impact on the educational program; all curricular and operational classroom needs are being met to continue achieving the educational standards you have come to expect. However, our need for donations is both real and immediate.

Financial operations are being aggressively addressed to provide relief from the current cash shortage and assure that once the cash flow is stabilized, SFCS will operate responsibly long into the future. Improved financial oversight has been put in place in a number of areas ranging from more thorough and regular financial audits to a more detailed purchase order system.

Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church continues to support this ministry in many ways. For example, the church charges no rent to the school, we share utilities and janitorial services. We also receive cash support each year for use in the operating funds of the school. During 2005, the church has committed financial support to help repair the roofs in the 100 and 200 Buildings.

In the next few weeks you will see many members of this ministry stepping forward to lend assistance to the needs of this great school. The Endowment Program will continue but focus more on our immediate needs. This is where we need you. Are you willing to bring your spiritual and financial gifts and partner with us as we resolve to work together toward a Godly solution to our current needs?

As a ministry, we have truly been the recipients of God’s extraordinary bounty. Yet we would be remiss if we did not recognize that our vision for building a bright and promising tomorrow is predicated upon our core foundation. We intend to remain faithful to our mission:…to support the Christian home and church by providing quality Christian education from a Biblical perspective in order to equip and challenge students to influence culture and society for Jesus Christ.

We hold fast to God’s desire to bless us. In Jeremiah 29:11-14 the Lord states that …I know the plans I have for you…plans for welfare…and hope. Without a confidence and faith in God’s promises to us, we are without hope…for Biblical faith is the confidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

It is our distinct hope that you will see fit to provide funds for our school. We pledge to see that your gifts are used prudently for the continued ministry of Shannon. Prayerfully, The School Board of Shannon Forest Christian School

The Board of Directors of Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) and Acting Headmaster, Brenda Hillman would like to extend an invitation to all members of our school family to attend one of two upcoming Open Forum meetings. These meetings have been provided to give parents, faculty and staff an opportunity to freely discuss concerns regarding the school’s finances, the direction and vision of the school and our plans for taking SFCS into the future. Your attendance is strongly encouraged and two dates have been scheduled for your convenience. Please plan to attend on either Tuesday, January 11, or Thursday, January 13. Both meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the SFPC Sanctuary.

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