A Message from Chip Lee, Church Council President:

As you know by now, this past week we had to make a difficult decision regarding our school.  I'd like to share with you the rationale that led to this decision.

A special task force was assembled to examine the SOV school budget and plans for the 2016-17 school year. This task force was comprised of myself, Erin Studer, Council Vice President, Jennifer Farrell, SOV Principal, Jan Garris, Director of Finance, Sandi Engh, immediate Past President of School Board, Katie Riordan, School Board President, and Pastor Bryan Woken. Three of us: Jan, Katie and I, are also alums of our elementary school.

The task force was charged with considering options for the SOV Elementary School program for the 2016-17 school year given that as currently constituted the school would not be able to present a balanced budget for the upcoming school year based on current enrollment projections.

In our deliberations, several models were discussed. Our deliberations lasted approximately six hours over two separate sessions. Options presented ranged from offering the current grade configuration with present staffing levels, or offering grades K-3, or K-2, or no elementary grades at all and only providing a preschool program. Of the options presented, budget deficits of $30,000 to $100,000 were projected for models that included elementary grades with the exception of a K-2 model and a K-3 model where each only offered 2 multi-grade classrooms. The K-2 model and K-3 model, where each offered only 2 multi-graded classrooms, appeared at first to break even or even lead to a small projected surplus. However, none of the models had assigned any overhead costs to the elementary school budget, but had allocated all of those expenses to the preschool budget. This means all the models were in reality significantly underfunded.

Given that a substantial portion of the overall operating budgets of those models relied on significant preschool enrollment, it could not be guaranteed that even these modest school configurations would be fiscally viable. In addition, these two models seemed to significantly alter the kind and quality of educational offerings that would be able to be made available to the elementary students enrolled at SOV. Given this as well as the significant level of economic uncertainty and a lack of current school and church reserves to sustain any unexpected losses, the task force, with deep sadness, determined the only prudent recommendation would be to not offer elementary grades at SOV for the coming school year.  

We will continue our mission of education through our preschool, but this also means that we, as a congregation, need to expand our mission to serve our community in new ways.

Since this is a difficult time for our staff, l would ask you to refrain from asking them questions about this decision.
Instead, please direct any questions or comments you may have to either Erin (studers2@earthlink.net) or me (chip@prgaviation.com).

Wednesday, April 20   

6:00 p.m. Youth Hang Time & Meal

7:00 p.m. Youth Group/Bible Study/Confirmation

Thursday, April 21  

6:30 p.m. Twin Valley Conference Assembly
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir

Saturday, April 23  

8:30 a.m. Intermediate Yoga

Monday, April 25   

6:00 p.m. Mindful Yoga with Julie  

7:00 p.m. Zumba Class in Founders Hall  

7:30 p.m. SFV Male Chorus

 
Tuesday, April 26
2:45 p.m. Cherub Choir Rehearsal
4:00 p.m. Weekly Word Group

7:00 p.m. Stephen Ministers' Leaders Meeting  

Wednesday, April 27
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Rummage sale set up
8:30 a.m. Chapel TK-6
9:15 a.m. Weekly Word Group
10:15 a.m. Crochet/Knitting Circle
6:00 p.m. Youth Hang time & Meal
7:00 p.m. Youth Group/Bible Study/Confirmation 

Thank you all for your support and participation in the Lenten Soup & Service Projects!

Whatever your reason might be, if you have too much stuff, consider donating it to the Annual Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and School Rummage Sale!

Items for sale include books, clothing, jewelry, CDs, DVDs, housewares, electronics, toys, children/baby items, linens, small furniture items, sporting goods, crafts and more!

*Late Drop-offs available on Friday, April 29th until 7 p.m.

We accept new and gently used items that are suitable for resale. We especially need clothes, shoes, blankets, towels, comforters and other linens.