*The recommendation to consider a potential name change
was well-received by most.
*There was support by those in attendance to look into
connecting with the Sioux Falls community and possibly
hosting a community center on the unified school’s campus.
News from the Lutheran Schools in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Lutheran School and Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls
are looking into unifying these two schools into one school hosting
infant through 12th grade Lutheran education. SFLS and LH have
recently hired consultant Paul Brandt to work on this unification
process. Paul Brandt visited Sioux Falls in early June in effort to gain
some initial background regarding unifying SFLS and LH. We share the
following main points that derived from Paul’s visit –
CHALLENGES for unifying SFLS and LH –
*Uniqueness - If the two schools merge, what is going to make this
Lutheran school in Sioux Falls unique from its competitors?
*104 out of 117 that attended Paul Brandt’s presentation
outlining the vision of the unified school affirmed that the
benefits resulting in unifying SFLS and LH and forming an
infant through 12th grade Lutheran school in Sioux Falls
outweighed the cost.
->The next step in the process of working toward unifying
our Lutheran schools is to conduct a parent survey for parents of
our Lutheran schools. This survey will be conducted throughout
the week of July 8th through the 15th.
We ask you to continue to pray for our schools, the
teachers, administrators, and school boards as we seek to
determine what God’s will is for us.
*Enrollment at our schools is an issue to consider. SFLS Preschool
enrollment has recently been declining. SFLS has added considerable
programming over the past years. LH doubled in enrollment in its 2nd
year.
*Funding for the unified school. What will be the model for funding
for a Preschool through high school Lutheran school in Sioux Falls?
What will be the amount of tuition and how might a change in current
tuition transpire? What will be the amount of Association church
assessment?
POSITIVES for unifying SFLS and LH –
*The proposal for unifying the SFLS and LH was well received by
parents, churches, congregations and pastors and other interested
parties.
Sioux Falls Lutheran School Board and Lutheran High School of
Sioux Falls Board have developed a task force made up of SFLS
faculty and parent(s), LH faculty and parent(s), pastor, and
Association church members. This task force has been deemed
the Cooperative Leadership Task Force. Serving on this task force
are the following – Sarah Sailer, Karla Kalb, Paul Wood, Tim
Vanderpan, JoAnn Meyer, Jessica Grams, Brent Tjeerdsma, Heidi
Jerke, and Pastor Greg Lehr.