District Schools Report

Synod News
The financial picture for WELS is looking better and better, according to synod President Mark Schroeder. In the next two years, we are looking to open 20 new missions. Both MLC and WLS are also on sound financial footing, which has been a great blessing. The synod strongly recommends that all faculties read through the convention report from the Task Force for Lutheran Schools (see below in this report). This could also be used to plan faculty in-services for upcoming years. The Bible translation continues to be a huge topic of discussion, especially when it comes to our schools. Since no decision was made on a translation, it has put our schools in a tough situationwhat translation to use when assigning memory work, etc. The best a school can do right now is to pick a translation and then supplement it in any way they can. President Schroeder is pleased to announce that there is a budding relationship between the WELS and LCMS. He did NOT think that fellowship is close at hand, but that church bodys president (Harrison) is making great strides in correcting many doctrinal errors that has crept into that church body over the past several decades.

Counting Gods Blessings

10,423 ECM Students National School 24,254 LES Students Leadership Conference 5,128 ALHS Students 15-18, 40,437 Total June 2015 Students The steering 2,706committee active called workers has chosen a theme: A new Center for Sanctified Through and Mission and ThroughSoul, Mind, and Ministry in Body based on 1 Thess. Pewaukee 5:23. This conference will (Waukesha) slice of heaven feature keynotes and New Teacher sectional presenter of Induction now in 5 interest to Christian school districts leaders. conference AThe record year for will be of interest to WELSSA Accreditation in principals, early childhood 2013-14 directors, teachers, pastors School Choice involved in the education Expansion and of young people, and Tuition Tax Credits school board members. Foundations by Kenn Kremer was The conference will be published held at the Country Springs

Synod Convention Resolutions (Task Force on Lutheran Schools)

Because of the work of the Task Force on Lutheran Schools and the CLS, five resolutions were adopted by the 2013 synod convention that are closely connected to the operation of WELS schools:
1. They urge non-accredited schools to achieve school accreditation within the next ten years or to use the appropriate tools to create a culture of continual improvement. 2. Calling a full-time associate director for the CLS by July 1, 2015, subject to funding, who would lead Forward with Lutheran Schools, Second Wind, and the School Leadership Candidate Training program, all programs that help strengthen Lutheran Schools. 3. Training more Lutheran elementary school principals and early childhood directors by having MLC expand its new graduate leadership program and the CLS implement the School Leadership

Hotel and Conference Center in Waukesha, WI.


Candidate Training program to identify, encourage, and begin training potential school leaders. 4. Encouraging every ELS school to participate in the Voluntary Supplemental Contribution program. 5. Encouraging congregations to supply funding to provide adequate School Administration and Leadership Time (SALT). Congregations were encouraged to call experienced principals, currently uncalled principals, or veteran teachers rather than having graduates assigned as principals.

The District Schools Coordinators (DSCs) will be emphasizing these resolutions over the coming years. The district will also be focusing their workshops and other efforts to help schools follow through with these resolutions in a meaningful way. Only 49.7% of schools returned their assessments for teachers, From the CLS Office principals, and ECE teachers and This past year there have been 8 school openings (5 ECM directors and 3 LES) and 12 school closures (7 ECM and 5 LES). What a blessing to have these new schools, but we also accept the challenge to learn some valuable lessons through the school closures. There will be 34 site visits planned for WELSSA Accreditation over the next calendar year. This is a record year in that category. We continue to thank the Lord for his undeserved love in the benefits that we derive from our accreditation process. We dont need a piece of paper to say that we are good schools, but we should always strive to be the best stewards of our time, talents, and treasures. The accreditation process helps us do that. Only 49.7% of schools returned their assessments for teachers, principals, and ECE teachers and directors. The CLS strongly encourages schools to keep the information at the synod office current and accurate. Call lists that are thoughtful and well-matched to the calling body depend upon the schools getting their statistics and assessments in. Last year, 132 schools were supplemental contributors, resulting in $80,783, up from 109 schools contributing $78,909 from the previous year. The funds support district ministry, fill the two office personnel support positions, restore funding for CAPE membership, continue the Team Ministry Redesign efforts, and to support principal apprentice/NTI mentoring. The Northern Wisconsin District had 31 out of a total 69 schools (44.9%) participate in the Voluntary Supplemental Contribution (VSC) program. The CLS continues to focus on Growing Educators in Ministry (GEM), New Teacher Induction (NTI), and school leadership development. It is their goal to continue to improve our schools at all three levels: new teachers, veteran teachers, and leadership.

Northern Wisconsin District

SURVEY AND RESULTS: Thank you for filling out the survey back in September on the needs of the district. As of this writing, 170 people responded to the survey, which is outstanding. Here are the top five areas that need to be a focus of our five-year plan, according to your responses:
1. Reaching out to your community (55.9%) 2. Principal Leadership (45.9%) 3. Changing family structures (40%)

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4. Education in a changing society (39.4%) 5. Student Tuition (35.9%)

As a result of this survey, as well as what your district leadership team feels should also be included in our focus, here are the areas in which the Northern Wisconsin District will be focusing over the next few years:
Leadership Institute Modules for principals and school leaders Positioning Lutheran Schools for Outreach Helping your teachers get and maintain their state licenses Seminars on the changing family and how to minister to them (may be in conjunction with Positioning Lutheran Schools for Outreach)

These areas will be focused on at teachers conferences, weekend workshops, and other various forms. Please look for these to be advertised over the winter months. IN ADDITION TO THE SURVEY: Schools of the Northern Wisconsin District are encouraged to the following to help assure quality education in the WELS:
Participate in the Voluntary Supplemental Contribution (VSC) program. Become WELSSA accredited. Give your principal adequate School Administration and Leadership Time (SALT). Support your teachers, and help them stay energized towards their ministry. Include in your budget both SALT for your principal and continuing education for your teachers.

WCRIS: If you havent yet made your payment to Wisconsin Council for Religious and Independent Schools (WCRIS), please do so as soon as you can. As of this writing, 41 out of 63 (65%) entities had paid their subscription. Thanks to all those LES, ALHS, and ECE who had paid their subscription. Your contact for WCRIS is Mr. Phil Punzel, principal at St. Peters Lutheran School, North Appleton. VOUCHERS AND TAX CREDITS: Do you have questions about vouchers or tax credits? If you do, a lot of information comes through the WCRIS reports from Matt Kussow. Please read through these documents carefully. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for Wisconsin also has many links for vouchers, including qualifications, requirements, and application forms. PROCEEDINGS: By now you should have received your copy of proceedings. As mentioned above, very important resolutions were made that pertain to Lutheran Schools of the Wisconsin Synod. Please refer to pages 49-52 (Task Force on Lutheran Schools) and pages 69-72 (Continuing Education for Called Workers). These resolutions should be read by all stakeholders. Principals, make sure you go through them with your faculties. IDENTIFYING PRINCIPALS: Do you know an outstanding young man who is serving on a school staff but is not a principal? If you do, and you feel that this person would make a good principal, please contact Greg Schmill at the synod office. Contact information is included for all of your representatives below.

Your Synod Contact Information

Greg Schmill, Director of CLS, greg.schmill@wels.net; 414-256-3221 Jim Rademan, Associate Director, jim.rademan@wels.net, 414-256-3220 Doug Engelbrecht 2

 Cindi Holman, ECE Nat. Coordinator, cindi.holman@wels.net, 414-256-3219 Rachel DiGiorgio, Admin. Assistant, Rachel.digiorgio@wels.net, 414-256-3222 Tierney Arndt Admin. Assistant: Tierney.arndt@wels.net, 414-256-3223

Your District Contact Information

Douglas Engelbrecht, NWD President: nwdp@wels.net, 920-841-2809 Nathaniel Kallies, District Schools Coordinator: nkallies@stpaulappletonwi.com, 920-733-9061 Brian Humann, Team Ministry Process-Manitowoc Area: humannbj@mzluth.org, 920-864-2349 Steve Hennig, Team Ministry Process-Fox Valley Area: stevehennig@martinlutheroshkosh.com, 920-235-1612 Vacant, Team Ministry Process-Winnebago Area: Corey Marohn, Teacher Certification and Recertification: cmarohn@stjohnstjames.com, 920-754-4432 Tom Pankow, Early Childhood Ministries: gracepastor@tm.net, 920-682-7377 Phil Punzel, Legal Issues-WCRIS: ppunzel@new.rr.com, 920-739-2009

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