Board of Trustees

A Parent-Governed School: It’s all about Partnership!

SCS is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of parents and supporters who are elected by fellow parents and school supporters. Today’s board shares the same vision established by our founders. We believe that the Bible is the ultimate source of truth for both faith and life and must be at the heart of all education.

Together through this Christian school/Christian home/Christian church partnership, every day we are actively raising up the next generation of Christian leaders who will impact the world both near and far for Jesus Christ!

Founding Documents

Recent Decisions

Our Board of Trustees operates with a key value of transparency. While not everything we discuss and decide is for public consumption outside of our board meetings, we regularly publish the decisions that we can share on this site.

Public Document of Board Decisions

Current Board Members

Andrew Fortuine

Andrew Fortuine

Board Member

Adam Guenther

Adam Guenther

Board Member, Secretary

Adam Guenther

Board Member, Secretary

Start Date: 2022

Bio:

Church Affiliation: Crossroads Community Church

Family Information: In addition to Michelle, we have two teens who attend Sheboygan Christian, Alison (Junior) and Josiah (Sophomore).

Employment Information: I am a Transactional Master Black Belt for Compassion International.    My role is to drive continuous improvement processes within this organization with the amazing purpose of “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”

Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with: I have been active in several areas, including worship ministry, small group leadership, Bible study leadership and various school activities.  While in the Navy, I was the religious programs officer (essentially the chaplain) for a 200-person crew on the USS Ingraham.  Most recently with Sheboygan Christian I assisted with the COVID response team.

What do you like most about SCS? Sheboygan Christian School does a great job of creating a learning environment in which students of different Christian faith backgrounds can grow while being exposed to the basic tenets of the Christian faith.  While there is value in the ecumenical nature of the school, it is also so important that the kids grow up knowing the Lord. SCS does a good job helping families in this task through the presentation of the Gospel in various modes, including journal entries, integration into classwork, and the personal witness of the teachers.

Why did your family choose SCS over other schools?  Michelle and I committed to having our kids either homeschooled or in Christian school before they were even born.  We are committed to Christian education for our children and Sheboygan Christian was the best option within the Sheboygan area.

What do you think is the most important goal for SCS? It may sound obvious, but the most important goal for the school is knowing God and making him known in our children.  The mission of Christian education overall is to help raise up the next generation of Christian youth to impact the world for Christ, and Sheboygan Christian’s place is to make that happen within Sheboygan County.  

If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? I think the school would benefit from working more with local churches to serve the community at large.  There are likely several opportunities for service with local churches in need of support or willing to partner on community outreaches for the less fortunate among us.  Such partnerships would fulfill Jesus’ command to serve while giving opportunity for word of mouth and potentially media coverage. 

 Why did you accept the nomination to serve our community on the School Board? When I was approached to consider the school board it was a great honor. My family and I prayed and discussed it at length. Together we ultimately decided that, if chosen, I have an opportunity to serve the community in a role for which my life experiences, both those acquired through schooling at Liberty University and through various work roles and areas of service, have prepared me.  If selected, I am looking forward to the opportunity to help SCS continue to be the beacon of Christian Education in our community.

TJ Hendrikse

TJ Hendrikse

Board Member, Board President

TJ HendrikseGraduate 1992

Board Member, Board President

Start Date: 2021

Bio:

Spouse’s Name: Laura Hendrikse

Church Affiliation:  Christ Community Church

Family Information: Laura and I have six children.  Zach is a 2017 graduate of SCS, Tanner (Alicia) is a 2019 graduate of SCS, Justin is a 2022 graduate of SC, Madison (sophomore), Xzairah (6th grade) and Jaimichael (3rd grade) are all currently attending SCS.

Employment Information: I work at Manitou Equipment America, LLC in West Bend, Wisconsin as the Director of IT, North America and have been working there since 2015

Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with: Aside from serving on the SCS Board of Trustees and several of the Board committees, I also server on Apple Pie Committee, Cherry/Blueberry committee and help coach junior Eagles soccer.  At church, I have served as a Deacon for one term and as an Elder for two terms.  I am also involved in our audio and video programs, running sound on a weekly basis and also helping out with our video ministry.

What do you like most about SCS? SCS will always have a special place in my heart.  I am a graduate from the grade school and the high school and I met my wife Laura at SCS.  I love most everything that is going on at this school, it is amazing to see how God is at work and leading this school.  One of my favorite times of the year at the school is the Apple Pie making event.  It is so awesome to be able to participate in an event where you see the body of Christ come together in support of Christian education.  But even more than that, I love the dedication of our teachers and staff, the love they have for our children and how they are able to teach from a Christian Worldview.

Why did your family choose SCS over other schools?  Honestly, we never even considered another school.  Christian education is one of the most important things that I can give to my children and SCS is the best school in the county to be able to provide that. 

What do you think is the most important goal for SCS? To continue to teach from a Christian worldview while providing an excellent academic education, giving our children a firm foundation for their future.

If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? I think one of the best ways to increase visibility is community involvement through service projects.  I love that SCS has implemented the TFT (teaching for transformation) program and I would love to see the school get more involved in our community.

Why did you accept to be nominated for the School Board? I am honored to be considered as a nominee for the board.  I believe it is a very exciting time for SCS and love to serve the school any way I can.

Brittney Kramer

Brittney Kramer

Board Member, Vice President, Engagement Team Liaison

Brittney KramerGraduate 2001

Board Member, Vice President, Engagement Team Liaison

Start Date: 2022

Bio:

Church Affiliation:  Hope Church

Family Information:  Rowan-4th grade, Madden-1st grade, Willa-3K

Employment Information: Northview Elementary Physical Education Teacher (Howards Grove)

Church/School Activities that you have been involved in: Nursery volunteer, Vacation Bible School, MOPS coordinator, Wednesday night activities leader, Children’s Church teacher, SCS auction lead solicitor, inaugural SCS parent ambassador, Apple pie volunteer, Good-As-New volunteer, One-Walk picnic and classroom volunteer

What do you like most about SCS? One of the things that I truly cherish about SCS is that each day when my children enter the doors of SCS, I am assured they will be engaged with and surrounded by followers of Christ. These are teachers who love them and are committed to helping and encouraging them in their faith.

Why did your family choose SCS over other schools? We chose SCS for our family because we wanted our children to have a Christ-centered education where they are taught from a Biblical worldview.  It was evident from day one that the teachers, administrators, and other staff were invested in the “whole child”.  

What do you think is the most important goal for SCS?  I believe the most important goal for SCS is to maintain sustainable growth.  This means a growth that our staff, administration, community, building, and resources can maintain, all while preserving excellence in a Christ-centered education.

If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? I believe that SCS’ visibility is a two-fold approach of both a physical presence by our students and staff and by visual signage.  Our school does an amazing job of showing up to serve and give back to our community.  The bake sales, food drives, neighborhood clean-up days and service projects are ways that we can show our love of Christ in Sheboygan County.  If I could increase our visibility in one specific way, I would increase the signage around town.  Many people do not know where we are located or that we have such an extraordinary campus.  I would love to see a billboard on one of the major highways to advertise the mission and location of SCS.

Why did you accept the nomination to serve our community on the School Board? I am excited to be a part of what God has planned for SCS! We are facing some very exciting times of unprecedented growth.  I fully understand that with student and teacher population growth, in addition to building projects, comes the challenge of how to provide the space and resources needed to meet the academic, social, and spiritual needs of all students.  I feel that I can contribute in a positive way to the Board as we move forward with God’s blessing.

Ryan Moeller

Ryan Moeller

Board Member, Vicar

Ryan MoellerGraduate 1992

Board Member, Vicar

Start Date: 2020

Bio:

Church Affiliation: Plymouth Alliance Church

Family Information: Four children; Natalie (SCS graduate), Megan (SCS graduate), Bobby (SCS senior), Joshua (SCS 9th grade).

Employment Information: Business owner

Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with: Former middle school board member, auction committee, concessions, tickets, sports announcer, school worship team, church worship team and leader, church elder board, church youth director, church building committee.

What do you like most about SCS? SCS provides a quality education and training that incorporates God’s Word.

Why did your family choose SCS over other schools? It is the best school option in the area.

What do you think is the most important goal for SCS? Excellence in education, biblical training, incorporated with the gospel message of Christ.

If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? Tell others outside of SCS about the school and explain why we are so thankful to have this option for our children. Encourage consideration.

Why did you accept to be nominated for the School Board? Always willing to answer the call of service when God moves or allows.

Andy Rosenthal

Andy Rosenthal

Board Member

Andy RosenthalGraduate 2003

Board Member

Start Date: 2020

Bio:

Copy of Board Nomination Profile Andy Rosenthal

Spouse’s Name:

Bethany

Church Affiliation:

Christ Community CRC

Family Information:

We have four children, Lauryn (10), Joshua (8), Maely (6) and Jameson (5) and all attend SCS

Employment Information:

I am the Quality Assurance Manager at Nemschoff Chairs and have been in that roll almost two years. I’ve been employed there for the last 14 years.

Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with:
I’ve recently retired from the Christ Community council where I served as deacon secretary and deacon

chairman. I play guitar and bass on our church worship team..

I currently serve as the president of the Camp Calvin Board of directors. I’ve been serving in that role for the last four years and on the board for the last seven years.

I spent two different tenures coaching at SCS boys’ basketball as an assistant coach and a head coach of the 7/8th grade team. I also was an SCCHS JV assistant and JV head coach for the boys’ basketball team

What do you like most about SCS?

I like the family feel that SCS has. When you walk the halls and talk to parents you can sense the love there is for the school and each other.

Why did your family choose SCS over other schools?

My kids are a fourth generation attending SCS and I am proud of that heritage and want to continue that on top of the excellent education that I received.

What do you think is the most important goal for SCS?

Continuing the Christ-centered tradition of education and continuing to follow God’s word while being a light to the surrounding community.

If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be?

Look at investing and donating to public events like some run/walk events to show the SCS is willing to invest in the community. Making Spirits Bright for example.

Why did you accept to be nominated for the School Board?

I’m excited and humbled for the opportunity to serve on the board as we look to grow and build.

Andy Tislau

Andy Tislau

Board Member

Mark VandeSlunt

Mark VandeSlunt

Board Member

Jon Vrzal

Jon Vrzal

Board Member, Treasurer

Jon Vrzal

Board Member, Treasurer

Start Date: 2021

Bio:

Spouse’s Name: Kari Vrzal

Church Affiliation: Sheboygan Evangelical Free Church

Family Information: 3 sons – Kellen, Jordy, Jess 

Employment Information: I have worked at Charter Steel in Saukville for the past 25 years.  I have a degree in Metallurgical Engineering and am the Director of Operational Excellence. 

Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with: 

SCS School Board, SCS Auction Committee, SCS Policy Committee Chair, SCS Board Development Committee, adult Sunday school teacher and small group bible study leader

What do you like most about SCS? 

Simply… The vision. I deeply appreciate the commitment of our school to a community approach to using Christ-centered learning to prepare my boys hearts and minds for service in God’s world.    I have also really befitted from the partnering with the community of SCS in the serious job of raising our boys in a manner consistent with our biblical calling.

Why did your family choose SCS over other schools?  

Kari and I both received all our formal education from public primary, secondary and post-secondary schools.  When our first son was born, I had just assumed that our children would also enter public schools.  As we began evaluating the educational options, we quickly came to realize the worldview being presented in public elementary schools today was significantly more out of alignment with our biblically based worldview as compared to our firsthand experiences in public schools over 35 years ago.  We choose SCS because we wanted to have our sons be a part of an educational institution that can come along side us in developing the Christ-like character and Kingdom focused worldview that we are teaching our sons in our home.

What do you think is the most important goal for SCS? 

From my point of view, the two primary “customers” of our school are the 1) Christ and 2) the students.  As a goal, everything our school does 1) should increase the Kingdom and the glory of God by the living out of the gospel in our community and 2) serve the students by integrating academic excellence with Christ-centered learning to preparing students’ hearts and minds for service in God’s world. 

If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? 

Many in the community already think of our school as a fantastic option for a Christian education.  I would like to see our school increase its reputation in the community as the premier option in Sheboygan County for superior academic excellence and educational outcomes. 

Why did you accept to be nominated for the School Board? 

I love the Lord, I love my family, and I love our school.  I would like to be a servant on the board to support, enhance and grow the mission of our school.  I have a very collaborative leadership style that is process driven and outcome focused that I feel is well suited to school board membership.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the SCS Board of Trustees?

The SCS Board of Trustees is the governing body of Sheboygan Christian School. This board consists of 9 members who may each serve 3 year terms. At the end of their 3 year term, board members may be asked to “re-up” for a second consecutive term of 3 more years. After completing 6 consecutive years (2 back-to-back three year terms) board members must step back from active, voting member status of the board for a full 2 years. After 2 years from their prior service has passed, former board members are welcome to be a part of the nomination process again.

Board officers include: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

What are the qualifications to serve on the Board of Trustees?

– Professing Christian
– Attend scripturally sound church
– Agree with Article 2 and 3 of the SCS constitution
– Financially support the school through annual fundraising contributions (annual drive, capital campaign, etc.)
– Parent of student or Parent of alumni
– If parent, student must be enrolled for a minimum of two years
– Model SCS core values

What are the requirements to serve on the Board of Trustees?

– Attend board of trustees meetings held twelve times a year. Your presence is valued and your active  participation (minimum of 10 meetings per annum) is a critical component of board deliberations
– One time per year on campus experience as arranged by administration
– Attend annual strategic planning meeting
– Attend annual Association meetings
– Attend school events
– Commit to on-going professional development as a trustee by attending one board training session annually  (Board Leadership Conference or equivalent Board Training session)
– Serve on a minimum of one committee or task force
– Read and be familiar with material sent to you in advance of board and committee meetings
– Duties and Functions of Full Board
– Set policy according to constitution
– Budget planning
– Strategic planning strategy deployment
– Professional development / learning
– Work with administration team to set targets and objectives
– Focus on vision, mission and strategy, (Not run the day to day school)
– Hire admin, succession planning, organization  chart
– Fiscal responsibility both current and future

What skills & attributes do we look for in members of the Board of Trustees?

– Collaboration
– Communication
– Resourceful connections
– Amenable with consensus
– Advocate for school
– Leadership
– Confidentiality
– Time commitment
– Conflict resolution
– Courage to share opinions
– Solution focused
– Willingness to debate
– Big picture / Future focused
– Decision making
– Professionalism
– Loves the Lord

How does the election process work?

The Sheboygan Christian School Association meets annually to accomplish two key items:

  • To vote on whether or not to approve the proposed budget for the following year.
  • To elect members for the Board of Trustees

The association is given the profiles and qualifications of each board nominee prior to the meeting. Nominees are elected on a simple yes/no vote from the majority of those in attendance (and counting absentee ballots) at the association meeting. If elected, the new board members will begin their three year term of service at the start of the following board calendar year.

How does the Board of Trustees make decisions?

Motions come to the board of trustees from the various subcommittees that report to the board. These committees include:

  • Finance Committee
  • School Improvement Plan Committee
  • Facility Planning Committee
  • Policy Committee
  • Engagement Team
  • Other various task forces with temporary/time sensitive tasks

These committees and task forces meet to address potential issues/changes that the Board of Trustees might consider. Motions are brought to the nine member board for vote. If approved, the motion will be documented and communicated to the SCS community.

I have a question, concern, or complaint, about our school. Where do I go?

We follow the biblical principles put forth in Matthew 18. We first go to the party responsible. Typically, this is a teacher or an administrator. If you have an issue with a teacher or administrator, you first take up a conversation with them. If you are unsatisfied with the conversation, you can then move to the administrator in charge, and ultimately the Board of Trustees. If you ask a member of the Board of Trustees about a question, concern, or complaint related to an SCS faculty, staff, or administrator, their very first question to you will be, “Have you spoken with that person?”. If you have not followed the above protocol, they will first send you back to original party involved.

Is SCS a parent-run school?

Nope! Sheboygan Christian School is not a parent-run school. We are a parent governed school. This may seem like a small distinction, but we actually believe it’s a pretty important one. We are blessed with an excellent team of professional administrators. This team handles the day-to-day operations of the school. The administration runs the school- our Board of Trustees has hired them to do just that! The role of the Board of Trustees is to govern the school, not run it. We see governing as the following:

  • Protect the mission
  • Direct the vision
  • Select board nominees & equip members
  • Respect the proper decision making process of the school
  • Expect each board member to wear the right “hat” when serving on the board
  • Inspect the progress of the school against the strategic plan
  • Correct (& if necessary eject) poor behavior of those serving on the board

Interested in getting involved?

Get involved!