An Important Word from Our Board!

Dear SACS Families,

Since returning from Spring Break, there have been a lot of changes in our SACS community. The parents who make up the school board, and I would like to update you on the work that God is doing in our school family. We know that God is good and, while He does not promise us that life will be easy here on earth, His love and grace are sufficient. He has seen us through hard times before and He has always provided.

Hosea 6:3 reminds us that we can depend on the goodness of our Lord so completely that as we press on while seeking after Him…”As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” (NIV) Throughout the last few months, the school has seen this verse hold true. God has answered many prayers and I would like to share those with you. As sure as the morning sun, God has provided.

I am pleased to report that our current cash flow deficit for the year has been reduced by a third. The decrease in the schools deficit was a result of gifts and financial changes implemented by the school over a very short amount of time. We know that all good things come from God (James 1:17), and, I hope you will join me in thanking our Lord for His provision.

God did not just provide a change in our cash flow deficit but also in the area of provision for our school employees. While expenses and faculty salaries were frozen earlier this year, Dr. Walters announced to the staff on Wednesday that, due to the unexpected refinancing of our current loan, all school employees will receive a cost of living raise next year. What a joy it is to see God bless our school employees as they placed their trust in and submitted themselves to a faithful God. They truly, have leaned on the verse in Hosea, knowing that God is the one who is Sovereign and faithful.

God’s faithfulness continues to pour out as seen in His provision of complete funding of the school’s in-house scholarship program for the 2014-2015 school year. Due to tuition increases and added fees, we knew that some of our school families would need additional financial support to remain at SACS. Over the last few weeks, God has provided through unexpected gifts and all those who have applied for scholarship assistance can be helped. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 105:1-3

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”

Additionally, as of today, enrollment of new students and re-enrollment of existing students is holding strong and we are encouraged that next year’s enrollment is at 95% of anticipated capacity. New families and students are continually being interviewed and enrolled. Please continue to pray for these new additions to our school family.

Speaking of additions, we are excited to announce the hiring of Brandon Parrott as the new athletic director for SACS. Brandon is a Godly, energetic and experienced individual who will continue to build on the fantastic sports program we currently enjoy. Brandon, along with his wife Shelly and their two girls are a wonderful addition to our family, and, we are blessed that God has directed their steps to minister at SACS for such a time as this. Brandon will be transitioning into his new role over the next couple of weeks and has already started a search for the new head football coach. We are blessed with a group of dedicated football dads who assist with the coaching, and have committed to working with the program again this year with great enthusiasm.

We are also pleased with the response to our secondary principal search. Several highly qualified individuals have applied and been interviewed. Further details regarding the final candidate will be forthcoming. To clarify a question that has been asked, the middle school and high school will continue to operate as separate entities under the supervision of one principal. The middle school and high school offices will remain as they are now and be fully staffed in order to run the day-to-day operations. Though one principal will have the oversight of both schools, Dr. Erbaugh will teach 6^th grade science and be serving in an administrative role in the middle school office. His duties will include assisting with coordinating retreats, special events, class scheduling, curriculum mapping, training and mentoring and other administrative needs. The incoming principal will work with faculty hiring, reviews, evaluations, discipline, parent issues and academic issues.

We see God’s provision in these blessings to enable the continuation of the school’s mission of providing a Christ-centered education to prepare students for works of service. The vision of SACS is to:

• Be intentional about spiritual growth and encouraging a student’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
• Provide the best college preparatory education for each SACS student,
• Focus on a balance between student’s work, extracurricular activities and family life,
• Pay down debt and not incur any new debt,
• Fully utilize our current infrastructure (no new building projects),
• Provide first class training for teachers and fill new teaching and staff positions with the highest quality individuals.

I want to thank you for coming together as a school family and for your generosity as you have been a shining example to our students during each season that God calls us to walk. Your faithfulness to a faithful God is evident in your support and prayers for the school. Recently, a letter was received from a current parent that blessed and encouraged us in this time of transition. The letter was gracious and kind as the writer stated, “I believe we need to band together and weather the storm. Remembering that we are believers in Christ first…after all, how we handle these situations serve as a testimony to others and ultimately should bring glory to Him.”

Because of Christ,

Bruce A. Johnson

Chairman, Board of Trustees