Opportunity Profile for the position of: Superintendent. Contact: Barry Koops - CSES & CSI Consultant bkoops@csionline.org

Transcription

1 Opportunity Profile for the position of: Superintendent Contact: Barry Koops - CSES & CSI Consultant bkoops@csionline.org

2 Who Are We? We are a school Rooted in God s Word Committed to Christian educational excellence, encouraging students to reach their God-given abilities. Called to educate children and young people so that they may grow and mature into perceptive and caring Christians. Working hand-in-hand with Christian parents and the local church, we endeavor to be an effective instrument of God in the education of our students, ultimately producing citizens who will have a transforming influence in the world. Lynden Christian Schools (LCS) offer an excellent and broad Christian educational program. With 100 years of history (founded 1910 by parents from Dutch Calvinist Churches), we are pleased to offer a fully accredited academic program to over 1100 students from preschool through twelfth grade on two campuses (Lynden and Bellingham). Because of our size, history, and experience, we are able to offer extensive curricular and extracurricular options where our students can explore and develop their God-given gifts in the core academic subjects as well as in such areas as the performing and visual arts, vocational-technical training, FFA, and athletics. Our many alumni are serving the Lord locally and throughout the world in a wide variety of vocations - having a transforming influence in the world. Our dedicated and certified staff is the key to achieving our mission as a school to incorporate a distinctly Biblical perspective into all areas of instruction at all grade levels. Each teacher, unique in personality and teaching expertise, is a Christian committed to the goals of Christian education. Parents at Lynden Christian Schools are supportive of the school, encouraging their children, and working closely with the staff. We are grateful for a large volunteer base that extends across generations, organized as Friends of Lynden Christian (FOLC). The local churches (about 80) that are represented in the school are a source of support and blessing, completing the home, school, church connection. The Community Our administrative office, elementary, middle and high schools are located in Lynden, WA. A city of about 12,000 people, Lynden is located in northwest Washington, just four miles from the Canadian border. Our Evergreen campus is located 15 miles south, in the city of Bellingham. The natural beauty of Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands, plus the metropolitan attractions of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., are all within just a few hours drive. The dairy farms, the beautiful fields of fruit, and the many businesses that dedicate themselves to quality and service make Whatcom County unique. Lynden is known as a great place to raise a family a reputation undoubtedly enhanced by its abundance of churches, parks and trails. Faith plays a huge part in the everyday lives of many people in the Lynden community. This is a part of our history that is expected to continue to play a significant role in our future. Governance Lynden Christian School is a private system governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the school Society, comprised of parents and others who support the school. We are a member of larger organizations such as CSI - Christian Schools International, NWCSI - Northwest Christian Schools International, and WFIS - Washington Federation of Independent Schools. The superintendent reports to the Board and is responsible for all routine matters and operations as well as advising the Board on strategic direction.

3 Position Opportunity: Superintendent (Beginning August 1, 2015) Candidate Profile Demonstrates a Christian spiritual maturity, modeling servant leadership. Articulates a Reformed educational perspective while welcoming denominational diversity. Interacts with students, faculty, staff, parents and community, serving as the face and voice of LCS. Strives to lead with excellence and distinction, while maintaining a humble spirit. Combines a dynamic, relational personality with interpersonal skills of sensitivity, compassion, and persuasive oral and written communication. Candidate Qualifications Significant experience in educational leadership. Superintendent experience is preferred. Ability to articulate the mission and vision of LCS clearly and concisely to parents, alumni, and community. Ability to mentor administrative team members, to foster team growth with faculty and staff and to create a healthy work environment. A passion to inspire excellence. Strong organizational and communication skills. A Master s Degree in educational leadership or a comparable degree in an associated discipline. Knowledge of educational pedagogy and curriculum and the ability to effectively integrate faith and learning. Areas of Leadership Provide Christ-centered executive leadership. Execute all Board policy and strategic plans. Cast an educational vision and carry out the mission. Lead a collaborative team of staff and administrators. Supervise, advise and assist the building principals in all educational operations. Supervise, advise and assist the Director of Business Operations, Community Development and Athletic Director. Nurture a wholesome spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and professional climate that will characterize the school as being a Christian school.

4 Why LCS? We help each student, as an image bearer of God, discover and develop his or her individual worth, talents, gifts, and responsibilities. The education of our students incorporates every aspect of learning: sharpening the mind and learning to think critically (HEAD); nurturing an authentic faith and life of compassion (HEART); and putting God-given gifts to work in the world in service (HANDS). Along with the Church, we believe that the school is an extension of the Christian home, reinforcing the faith and values of parents. Children are nurtured, supported and encouraged to see their unique strengths, gifts and talents as opportunities to serve God and their fellow man, therby having a transforming effect on their culture and their world. Academics We are proud of our committed Christian teaching faculty, over one-third of whom have their master s degree in their area of study. Our inclusive academic program includes Special Academic Services as well as Advanced Placement curriculum and vocational programs. Approximately 10% of the high school student body are international students living in the community. Our academic program is rigorous and varied, with students regularly scoring well above the national average in standardized test scores. On the Lynden campus, the elementary school offers preschool programs starting at age 3 and goes through 4th grade. The middle school offers students in 5th through 8th grade a full curriculum including band, orchestra, choir, art, clubs, and extra-curricular sports. The Evergreen campus serves students from Pre-3 through 8th grade with similar, coordinated opportunities. The high school program additionally offers a full selection of courses from study skills to Advanced Placement in English, Math and Art. LCS at a Glance Current Enrollment: 1122 Faculty: 55FT/56PT Operating Budget: $7,000,000 Tuition: $1,162 - $8,271 Annual Gifts: $210,000 Friends of Lynden Christian $450,000 Support: Endowment: $11,000,000 Indebtedness: $750,000 Tuition Assistance Budget: $92,000 Students receiving aid: 65 Athletics In addition to academics, we also encourage and promote the physical development of our students. Competition is natural to the human condition and, when understood in a context of cooperation, can add a rich dimension to education. We believe the quality of our play and support is an attractive signpost, directing and enticing others to the richness of God s kingdom. In

5 addition to team sports for grades 7-12, Lynden Christian offers an intramural program in high school and requires physical education classes for all students. As a member of the Northwest Conference, LCS strives to compete at the highest level of sports while maintaining a Christian perspective. Student athletes at LCS have captured numerous State Championships in boys & girls basketball, boys football, boys soccer, girls track & field, and boys golf as well as multiple Regional, District and Conference titles. Arts LCS values the fine arts, and has enhanced its program through our recently constructed Worship and Fine Arts Center. We develop this program as early as kindergarten and offer a wide variety of art, music and drama. In addition to classes in Band, Orchestra, and Choir, specialized classes include Jazz Band, Pep Band, and Chamber Choir. The Drama Department presents a fall play and a spring musical each year, many of which have received Nominations and three Honorable Mentions from the 5th Avenue Awards in Seattle.

6 Engaging the Future at LCS Strategic Plan in progress The superintendent will provide leadership to envision, implement, and communicate the Strategic Plan of the school. We are in the process of updating the strategic plan for Lynden Christian Schools (planned completion in October 2014). Projects currently underway for the year are as follows: Capital Campaign (Phase III completion of high school renovation and expansion) Evergreen Building Project (Bellingham campus) Apply Now To apply for this leadership opportunity, candidates should send a letter of interest and current resume to: Barry Koops - CSES & CSI Consultant bkoops@csionline.org