Question: With the needs of Pella Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School quite different, is one board adequate to serve both communities?
Answer: The governance needs of the two schools are not that different, in fact, they're very similar. And with the significant overlap in students, constituents, and the many shared aspects of the programs, two boards makes less sense than one board. Important decisions, but also mundane ones, which affect both schools, then require the discussion and consent of two different groups, slowing down and even impeding the decision-making process.
Question: You are switching to an affirmation model to choose board members better than an election. In churches where they've switched to an affirmation model we've seen attendance decline at congregational meetings. I'm concerned about a lack of engagement with the Society if we switch to an affirmation model.
Answer: Engagement with the Society can be measured in different ways, including attendance at the Annual Meeting, volunteering, financial gifts. We believe the Society can still be very engaged in an affirmation process. Moreover, requiring a slate of candidates creates other issues we do not like. Those that are nominated but lose an election are less likely to be willing to stand again. It also removes the Nomination Committee's ability to match the characterstics of prospective board members with the needs of the future board. Balancing the pros and cons, we feel an affirmation model meets the needs of the school better both now and into the future.
Question: I'm concerned the merged school will be too large and will lose its tightness as a Christian community.
Answer: It's true that as schools increase in size, the nature of the school culture changes. However, the updated Statement of Faith ensures our Reformed heritage is protected for future generations. Our Society-run structure is still in tact to ensure broad participation with volunteering, committees, and board governance.
Question: In K-12 districts I've seen, the high school runs the show and grade school decisions appear secondary. How can we make sure Pella Christian Grade School isn't overshadowed and forgotten by the needs of Pella Christian High School?
Answer: Most education systems in the United States exist in a K-12 structure, and school boards do a great job of making decisions for the best interest of the whole child in their journey from start to finish. High school activities sometimes take more of the spotlight, but they don't require more of the board's energy.
Question: Pella Christian High School was set up for all area K-8 schools. Are we being faithful to the founders' vision?
Answer: Pella Christian High School's founders wanted a strong 9-12 option for their children's children. The merger makes Pella Christian High School stronger, more sustainable, and demonstrates stewardly use of the gift our grandparents gave to us.
Question: I'm uncomfortable with other sister school parents making decisions for Pella Christian K-8 students.
Answer: Pella Christian Grade School will have members on the nomination committee. We have to trust that as Christians we'll make decisions in the best interest of in the best interest of all students. Strong area schools benefit Christian education as a whole. This has to be a kingdom focus.
Question: How can I be certain a unified Pella Christian won't ignore the needs of other sister schools?
Answer:
The proposed board nomination structure guarantees representation for sister schools - even more so than the current district system.
If PCGS is linked to PCHS, it has a stronger incentive to support other sister schools because their strength will feed more students into a unified PCS.
Question: I support a different sister school. How can I be certain my donations and support will be directed toward high school needs and not grade school needs?
Answer:
The schools will maintain separate endowments, which allow previous gifts to continue supporting each school's needs.
Designated gifts must be honored and used as specified. That is non-profit law.
Modern accounting techniques use cost and revenue centers to allow for the two schools to maintain fair and separate ledgers while sharing administrative and other costs.
Question: With private school enrollment increasing due to ESAs, how can we guarantee spots for sister school students if all the spots are filled by Pella Christian Grade School Students?
Answer: The high school is committed to enrolling any student from an area Christian school that wants to attend. Enrollment for 2023-2024 is at 280 students. Capacity at the high school is between 350-400. Should enrollment increase, we will make room for students who desire to attend and plan for expansion should those numbers begin to be stretched. What a blessing this would be!
Question: Aren't Oskaloosa Christian, Peoria Christian, and Sully Christian competitors with Pella Christian Grade School? How can a board member be loyal to Pella Christian Grade School students if they're from one of those communities?
Answer: While there are some families that choose one K-8 school over another, we ultimately should all be working toward the same goal of expanding access to Christian education. Board members will be chosen who have that as their primary objective.
Question: If this is such a good idea, why haven't schools in Northwest Iowa like Unity Christian and Orange City Christian, or Western Christian and Hull Christian merged into K-12 systems?
Answer: The student population and geography math do not make sense for a merger in Northwest Iowa. The largest K-8 sending school to Western Christian is Rock Valley Christian, which only comprises 40% of Western's student body and is 15 miles away. Unity in Orange City also receives a much larger share of its students from outside of Orange City, meaning efficiencies from sharing staff and resources diminish significantly.
In places where the largest sending K-8 school is in the same town as the 9-12 school, they have already merged. Edgerton Christian, DeMotte Christian, and Grandville/Calvin Christian have done so. 70% of Pella Christian High School's students graduated from Pella Christian Grade School, and the two schools are less than two miles apart in the same town. In our case, the math makes enormous sense.
Question: While we appreciate how a merged Pella Christian will benefit Pella and those benefits will spill over to area Christian schools, how can we trust that Pella Christian won't ultimately leverage their newfound influence and size and force us to lose our independence or close?
Answer: A merged Pella Christian will partner area schools in any way they can to bolster the cause of Christian education in the area. It will be more equipped to do so because if its unified structure and streamlined governance. It will not force anything on any area Christian school.
Question: How does a merged Pella Christian help us maintain our faithfulness to our historic Reformed roots?
Answer: One reason we've struggled to focus on our Christian identity is a lack of time. When administrators spend time on redundant work and boards spend too much time managing operational details, they cannot focus on the most important issues. The merger will create the capacity for school leaders to invest the necessary time in safeguarding and implementing our values in ways they can't now because they lack the time. Not merging will hinder our ability to guard our roots much more so than merging.