Leduc Society for Christian Education Annual General Meeting

Leduc Society for Christian Education
Annual General Meeting Agenda
Thursday April 30, 2015 @ 7:00 PM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Worship: CCS Staff
Devotions: Gayle Monsma
Approval of May 1, 2014 Minutes (attached)
Chair’s Report: Emily Meetsma
Financial Report: Grant Dakin, Treasurer
a. Motion to accept financial statements (attached)
b. Motion to approve Dennis Gulley and Jon Janssen as auditors for 20142015
c. Motion to approve the budget as presented (attached)
6. Selection of new executive members. Departing members are Carolyn Birkholz and
Yoka Tolsma.
a. Nominees: Stacy Bruinsma, Dori Koop, and Dan Lake
b. Please contact Executive Chairperson Emily Meetsma or Society
Administrator Lisa Gatzke by Wednesday, April 29, if you have any
objections to the above nominations. If no legitimate objections are received,
two new executive members will be chosen by lot from the nominations.
7. Visioning Adoptions: Once adopted, the following documents will continue to be part of
the registration package for new families and all members will have to commit to them.
a. Motion to adopt CCS Core Values and Purpose (attached)
b. Motion to adopt CCS Education Vision Document (attached)
8. Bylaw Revision:
a. Bylaw Part I.A.2. allows any person aged 18 or above who subscribes to and
agrees to be governed by the Constitution [i.e., our visioning documents] and
bylaws to seek membership in the Society.
b. Current Bylaw Article I.A.3 states, “Every member shall pay an annual
membership fee and for this purpose and this purpose alone, a husband and wife
shall be considered as one member. The amount of the first annual membership
dues shall be determined by the Directors; thereafter the annual membership
dues shall be determined at the annual meeting.” [italics added]
c. Proposed Bylaw Article I.A.3 removes the italicized text, so the bylaw reads,
“Every member shall pay an annual membership fee. The amount of the first
annual membership dues shall be determined by the Directors; thereafter the
annual membership dues shall be determined at the annual meeting.”
d. Motion to adopted proposed revision to Bylaw Article I.A.3.
9. Principal’s Report: Gayle Monsma
10. Discussion
11. Adjournment
Leduc Society of Christian Education
Annual meeting minutes
May 1, 2014
Present: Yoka Tolsma, Eva Friesen, Mary Anne Owerko, Thina Ritter, Sue Slenders, Gayle
Monsma, Keith and Cindy Feldbusch, Dori Koop, Joyce vanBruinessen, Luke Stevenson,
Curtis Plitt, Teresa Anderson, Leanne Klooster, Linda Knoppers, Scoot Klooster, Philip Drader,
Joanne Gulley, Sheila Anderson, Ervin Gatzke, Lisa Gatzke, Trish Baynes, Terry Danes,
Shauna Balehowsky, Marcel Matter, Maureen Matter, Kristy McCandless, Christy O’Brien,
Caroline Clark, Lisa Watts, Emily Meetsma, Donavin Simmons, Theo Dykstra, Colette Hayes,
Andrea Elzinga, Kristi Schultz, Beth Gillard, Gloria Maland, Jennifer Maland, Jennifer Lozeau,
Nicole McConville, Susan Johnson, Jennifer Kulhavy, Rod Snaterse, Grant Andres, Amy Beggs,
Joyce Debbink, Lesley Taekema, Linda Mix-Kondratski, Melody Habibulayev, Andy Walton,
Grant Dakin, Carrie Visser, Andy vanBruinessen, Jon and Leah Janssen, Dan Doesburg,
Charlene Van de Kraats, and Caroline Birkholz
1. Meeting was opened with “How great is our God” and prayer.
2. Approval of minutes - May 7, 2013
Corrections, Paterson on 4c., not Peterson
3. Chairperson’s report (Joke Tolsma) - commended the school on success in school sports
over the past year, the marketplace - funds in part to be spent on refurbishing the school
kitchen secondary to the leaving of Ebenezer Christian Reform Church. Comments on the
school theme - Wonderstruck.
Audit continues to proceed and is in a pause mode at the present time. CRA audited our
financial records secondary to our society no longer being a charitable organization, but being a
school. Questioning of our receipts for income tax purposes. Other schools are also in the same
process.
Executive board is in the process of updating our mandates and policies.
Financially our lease monies from BGRS was decreased by 50 %. Due to this there is
an increase in school fees. The lease funding is not guaranteed and remains undetermined for
the coming year. Due to this, our plans to renovate the auditorium have been placed on hold. A
long term planning committee for building renovations to be struck in the near future.
Bussing has changed for the 2014 to 2015 school year, implemented in September.
CCS city students will now be completed by BGRS transportation.
4. Financial reports - 2013 - presented by Scott Klooster, Treasurer
Motion a. To accept 2013, financial statements. Scott Klooster made a motion to
approve reports as stated and Yoka seconded,no objections, motion carried.
b. To approve Roger Anderson and a society member appointed by executive s
an auditor for 2013-2014. Scott Klooster motion made to accept Roger Anderson and society
member appointed by executive as auditors for the 2013- 2014 year. Keith Feldbusch
seconded, one opposed,majority in favor, motion carried.
c. Financial fees, see attached report. Presented by Scott Klooster. Discussion
and questions ensued. Motion made by Scott Klooster to approve the 2013-2014 budget as
presented , Andy vanBruinessen seconded, all in favor, motion carried. Andy vanBruinessen
commended Scott and the executive on keeping the tuition at a reasonable favorable level.
5. Executive leaving Sue Slenders and Collin Hiller. Nominations to fill these two positions
Grant Dakin, Christy O’Brien, Emily Meetsma, Jon Janssen. No objections to these nominees.
Appointed are Emily Meetsma and Grant Dakin by drawing lots.
6. Principal’s Report - Gayle Monsma thanked Sue Slenders and Collin Hiller for their years of
service.
Presentation on Teaching for Transformation, Story of the Stonecutters. Key learning: it
all depends on the story you see yourself in. “The Kingdom Story” presented. Act 1, 2 and 3
have played out, Act 4 is missing and Act 5 is there. This is our life story, we know what
happens in the proceeding acts, then our life is Act 4 - what does that mean for us, and Act 5 is
God’s return. The characters are our children, the students.
This year our school has developed a “Buddy system” - younger students with older
students. The throughline represented being “Community Building”.
Student writing - Grade 2 - How does being able to control temperature allow us to enjoy
creation more? Examples provided. Grade 8 students were asked to apply throughlines
following the section on Volleyball. Examples provided.
Video presented on students responding to questions regarding the use of throughlines
incorporated into school life.
7. Adjournment - Prayer by Gayle Monsma. Dismissed.
Respectfully submitted by Caroline Birkholz, Secretary LSCE
“There is not a square inch in creation over which Christ does not say
MINE!” -Abram Kuyper
Treasurer’s Report
Back Story
Sometimes it is good to review key events that have brought us to where we are today. The
past few years have introduced several challenges and merit a more in-depth appraisal. Here is
a summary of some of the key events for the past few years.
2011 – 2012
· December—Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issued a non-compliance assessment for how the
Society has been receipting for Christian program fees, and lawyers advised families to refrain
from claiming charitable receipts for program fees until further notice. CRA also imposed a
penalty but did not provide explanation for the penalty or advice on how to move forward with
receipting. With the backing of the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta
(AISCA) and other like-minded schools, we decided to appeal the decision.
2012 – 2013
· June—BGRS invoiced us for $132,915 for supplemental staff from Jan–June 2011 and for staff
for Sept 2011–June 2012. Although this expense was expected, we did not know what the
amount would be. Some funds had been reserved, but estimates were not sufficient and the
payment created some cash flow challenges.
· July/August—Capital expenditures for renovations of the staff room went over budget. Early
estimates placed the costs at about $170,000. By completion, the project had cost $298,000.
The shortfall required some reallocations of funds and extending our Credit line to cover the
difference.
2013 – 2014
· October—BGRS lease payments of $173,000 were unexpectedly reduced by $57,000 with no
further comment from the Alberta Government as to why the decrease or what to expect for
upcoming years.
· January—Transportation Committee recommended purchasing a new bus for January of 2015
requiring $100,000 capital expense.
· February/March—Finance Committee proposed an increase of LSCE rates with the anticipation
of further reduction of BGRS lease payments and additional capital for a new bus. Increases
were approved at the 2014 AGM.
· May—BGRS offered to provide bussing for CCS students within Leduc City limits. This
arrangement removed the requirement for a new bus.
2014 – 2015 (current year)
· October—BGRS informed us that the Alberta Government would fund our lease at $93,619/year
and BGRS would supplement with mitigation funding of an additional $22,381 for each of the
2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017 school years ($116,000 total). Mitigation funding will
discontinue in the 2017/2018 year.
· January—Four years since our original appeal, we received a response from the CRA. Their
position remains the same, and they imposed an additional 5% penalty.
Today, the combination of increased LSCE rates, increased enrolment, BGRS bussing of city
students, and the BGRS mitigation funding puts LSCE in a good financial position. With the
continued faithfulness the CCS community, our financial position moved from a potential deficit
to a positive position.
2015-2016 Budget Highlights and Changes
That brings us to 2015-2016 budget. Although it remains similar to last year’s budget, a few items are
worth mentioning.
Income
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Christian Program Fees remain the same from last year, except for a modest increase of $100 to
Pre-school.
Although for the past few years CCS has seen 5-8% population growth, we decided to be
conservative and budget for 0% growth.
We added an additional $200/student fee for high school students of families using CCS
transportation services.
Expenses
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Cost of living increase of 3% for LSCE staff
Adjustment of hours for LSCE staff
o Increase Administrator position to 1000 hours from 750
o Increase Admin Assistant position to 200 hours from 150
o Decrease Transportation Coordinator to 225 from 375
Increase allocations for professional fees—accounting, legal, AISCA—to $13,000 in anticipation
of CRA appeal costs
30% increase to fundraising expenses from $8,000 to $12,000
Increase budget building insurance to $20,000 (insurance now provides $5,000,000 replacement
coverage and contents coverage of $400,000).
Capital Allocations
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Transportation—new bus: $25,000 per year to $100,000 by 2018
Building and Grounds O&M—playground maintenance and expansion: $10,000 per year to
$50,000 by 2019–2020 year
Long Term Planning Capital Development—budgeted $21,500, but increase in school population
could allow as much as $25,000 per year
CRA Non-Compliance verdict and Receipting
In January, we finally received CRA’s response plus an additional 5% non-compliance fine ($15,000).
CRA has decided two main things with regards to LSCE and receipting for Christian program fees. (The
following is an extremely simplified summary of a 12-page legal document).
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First, because of the agreement between CCS and BGRS that CCS as a school is governed,
managed and compensated through BGRS, CRA sees CCS as an extension BGRS and is not able to
issue receipts for program fees.
Second, CRA does not recognize LSCE as a school and deems that the Society’s function for
retaining and maintaining religious content within CCS is not necessary or relevant because of
the agreements with BGRS, meaning that LSCE is also not able to receipt for program fees.
On February 24, we attended a meeting with AISCA and other schools impacted by CRA’s decision. Our
lawyers believe that we have a case to appeal CRA’s decision in the tax law court. Thus the societies
decided to collectively work together financially to appeal CRA’s decision.
Projected appeal costs are anticipated to be $50,000 – $75,000, with CCS’s contribution at $4,000 –
$5,000.
What does this mean for us?
First, the appeal process is going to take time. The tax court appeal could take as long as 3 years. Then, if
we are successful, CRA will still have the option to appeal to Supreme Court.
Secondly, our lawyers have advised LSCE to refrain from receipting for program expenses until a verdict
is in place. Because of this, yet again LSCE will not be issuing receipts for program expenses for the 20142015 year. As always, however, donations to LSCE (for example, for the auction or capital costs) are fully
eligible for a tax receipt.
Conclusion
Barring any unforeseen items, financially 2015-2016 and on through 2017-2018 look to be good
years for LSCE and CCS. In the 2017-2018 year, we will see a 25% (or larger) decrease in our
BGRS lease income which may require additional scrutiny into the finances at that time.
Ultimately, we have great confidence in the Lord’s work with in this great community and
anticipate continued quality Christ-centered education for our children.
LSCE Treasurer, Grant Dakin
Education Vision Document
As followers of Jesus Christ, we declare with joy and trust, “Our world belongs to God!” Because our
world includes the realm of learning, we affirm the following principles related to our Christian faith
and the role of education.
Creation: We affirm that in the beginning God—Father, Son and Spirit—called this world into being
out of nothing and gave it shape and order. God continues to direct all that happens in the world.
Fall: We affirm that our disobedience to God has broken the relationship between God and us.
Looking for life without God, we find only death, leaving us blind to our place in the world and to the
meaning of life.
Redemption: We affirm that Jesus Christ, the eternal Word made flesh, conquered sin and death.
Being both God and man, Jesus is the only mediator between God and us. He alone paid the debt of
sin; there is no other Saviour. It is through Christ that all areas of life, including education, are
redeemed and restored. Therefore, it is only in Christ that we are able to discover the meaning and
purpose of life.
Restoration: We affirm that, in Christ, one day God will make all things new. In fact, God is already
involved in restorative work. In the beginning, God invited people to care for creation; now we are
called through the Holy Spirit to share in God’s ministry of reconciliation and redemption, in all parts
of the world actively declaring, “This too belongs to God!”
Scripture: We affirm that the Bible is the Word of God, leading us to know God and have life in Jesus
Christ. It infallibly tells of God’s mighty acts, reveals God’s will and proclaims God’s plan of salvation.
School: We affirm that a primary task of the Christian school is guiding students into a deeper
understanding of who God is, God’s work in creation and history and their role in God’s Kingdom.
Christian schools help nurture children in the Biblical faith so they can take up their calling as faithful
stewards of their God-given tasks.
Students: We affirm that students, of whatever ability, are people who bear God’s image and have a
place in His plan. Christian schools strive to guide students into a deeper understanding of God’s
story so that they can live joyfully, playing their part in God’s Kingdom both now and in the future.
Teachers: We affirm that parents and guardians entrust Christian teachers with the responsibility of
instructing students. Teachers, in co-operation with families, are responsible for integrating a
Christian perspective in all aspects of schooling, including the curriculum, and also for living a Godpleasing life.
Parents and Guardians: We affirm that the responsibility for the education of children rests primarily
with parents and guardians, to whom children are entrusted by God.
The Christian Community: We affirm that since Christian education plays an important role in the
growth of the Kingdom of God, the wider Christian community has a responsibility to come alongside
families, nurturing children and playing an active role in their education.
(Some parts are based on Our World Belongs to God, a document of the Christian Reformed
Church)
Core Purpose
● Flourishing Learners
● Delighting in God
● Inspired to Serve
Defining Statements
Flourishing Learners will
● Embrace Lifelong Learning —Adults, children and youth will show a passion for learning,
celebrating the journey of discovery and, with discernment, using the tools of the day
● Develop Abilities—Learners will discover, develop and use their passions and talents,
exhibiting a growth mindset
● Think Critically—Learners will be engaged, creative, discerning and innovative
● Collaborate—Learners will engage in activities that require both individual and group
involvement, learning the skills needed to thrive within community
● Build Resilience and Restoration —Because setbacks, disappointments and failures are
inevitable, as learners experience them, they will develop healthy coping strategies,
including the use of restorative practices to deal with brokenness
● See Connections—Learners will be encouraged to see beyond the traditional subject
area boundaries while exploring the interconnectedness of God’s creation
Delighting in God with
● Love—Love of God will be wonder-struck, hope-filled, joy-inducing and awe-inspiring
● Head, Heart and Hands Worship —Worship will prayerfully encompass knowledge,
passion and service as an integrated response to God
● Gratitude—Learners will take pleasure in doing God’s will
● Trust—With the deep assurance that each person belongs to God, learners will trust
that God has a plan for their lives and respond with courageous obedience
Inspired to Serve in ways that are
● Formative—Learners will be involved with authentic service experiences connected to
the curriculum, where they can use their gifts and passions to joyfully serve
● Community Focused —Service will occur both within school and beyond, with learners
actively seeking out ways to be involved
● Image-Reflecting—Learners will have a deep understanding that all people are made in
God’s image and will respond with love, empathy and sacrifice
Core Values
God, the Lord of all things, calls each of us to be part of a Kingdom-building restoration vision.
Students, staff, parents and wider community can play a part in God’s transformational work by
living out the following characteristics, which form the basis for teaching and learning at
Covenant:
● God-worshipping
● Idolatry-discerning
●
Image-reflecting
● Justice-seeking
●
Servant-working
● Creation-enjoying
●
Community-building
● Beauty-creating
●
Order-discovering
● Earth-keeping