A series of articles on why we do what we do here at St. John’s.

How is the school ministry organized?

In just a few years, St. John’s Lutheran Church and School will be celebrating our 170th anniversary. Shortly after arriving in La Porte, German Lutheran immigrants not only organized a local congregation, they also opened a parish school. Many other Lutheran immigrants who came to this country in the middle of the 19th century did the same. 

Providing leadership for and overseeing the ministry of our school has changed dramatically over the years, and with it, also the way we organize for our school’s ministry.

SCHOOL BOARD

Currently our school board includes 11 persons, nine (9) voting members, with the principal and pastor serving as ex-officio members. As many as two (2) members can be non-members who have a significant relationship with our school (e.g. children who are current or former students). 

The board usually meets monthly, receiving reports from the principal and others as needed. Our pastor has been leading efforts towards improving safety and security, so he reports on the progress of those efforts. Now and again others report directly to the school board such as our school’s nutrition director.

These days the board mostly makes decisions in response to a recommendation made by the principal or, in some cases, the pastor. These include recommendations to hire (or call) a new teacher or initiate a large expenditure of funds. As often as possible the board hears a report about an issue one month, receives a significant recommendation the next, and makes a decision the next (although sometime that timeline is condensed a bit).

In the coming months, the School Board will receive budget recommendations from the principal for the three “operating” funds that pay for most of the cost of school ministry outside of salaries and personnel costs. In the next year, accreditation for our school will be a major undertaking.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Each year three members of the School Board are elected (or re-elected). Board members are limited to three, three-year terms. If you would like to nominate someone to serve, speak with Principal Berndt, Pastor Albers or Linda Satoski (current board chairperson).

We are seeking those who have some or all of the following characteristics:

• Actively participates in the worship of the church (especially St. John’s)
• Have a skill or ability that can help the the governance and oversight of our school’s ministry (financial, legal, education, management, school parent, volunteer service)
• A knowledge of the history and ministry of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School.

Next month: Financing Ministry