At the monthly meeting of the Board of Directors Wednesday night, Westminster took one more step in the next great phase of our school. We decided to add a third kindergarten class and a second 2nd grade class. We, of course, do not have enough rooms in the lower school building to house these classes. So the building begins!!We are currently deep into the plans for the new high school building that we plan to move into in the fall of 2010 - but we need classrooms now! We were considering trailers, but we have decided to build what the University of Georgia calls a “surge building.” We have decided to use the building that had been discussed as a field house to be initially constructed instead as a classroom building with three or four classrooms. We would relocate some of the upper school classes there, freeing up space in both the lower school building and the administrative building for the new elementary classes.The board decided to go in this direction in order to save the school money in the long run. Instead of investing over $60,000 in trailers that we would only use a few years, we will invest the money in a building that can later be converted to satisfy other needs (like a field house!). This is a much better use of the resources God has given us.Refinancing our debt will initially pay for this building. We have been able to take advantage of the recent lower interest rates and free up the funds to build these classrooms. Looking ahead, this building will then become part of our total expansion.I am excited about the growth we are experiencing. As we sit here at the end of February, we are at a record level of re-enrollment. Many of our classes are full or nearly full. Praise God! May we continue to honor His blessing on Westminster.More later….Dana“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5

I mentioned in my previous blog that Westminster is still a young school. As a young school, our growth has been clearly evident. I believe that we are now entering the fourth great phase in the life of our school. The first was simply the decision to start a school. The second was the decision to move beyond eighth grade and start a high school. The third was the decision to buy land and build at our present location. The fourth will involve the expansion of our current facility.

We are now very close to maximum capacity for our current facility, and we have no more space available to create new classrooms. The board has been looking ahead for the past two years to determine the best way to proceed in expanding our complex. It is our desire to increase the available resources to our staff, but not to lose that covenant, familial atmosphere we all enjoy about Westminster.

We do need to grow. We need more classrooms, an additional science lab, an expanded media center, and a second gymnasium. Further development of our property will also give us a second entrance to the school, along with additional parking.

The board and the administration are working on the details, and you can expect more information about this ”fourth great phase” during the coming year. Please pray that we will honor our Lord in all that we seek to accomplish.

Dana

“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5

A new feature of our school website is the Headmaster’s Blog. It is my hope to use this blog to communicate philosophy, anecdotes, announcements, etc. Westminster is growing to be a strong ministry in our community, and looking ahead, I want to see our school focus on two things.

First, I want to see Westminster remain true to its strong founding vision – namely, to be a covenant Christian school with high academic standards. In coming blogs I will discuss these two ideals.

Second, we must continually look at every aspect of the school to identify areas that can be improved. While we have founding principles that are non-negotiable, we must not be unwilling to grow and change as we mature as a school. Westminster is now beginning its 19th year of instruction, and this year we will graduate our 10th class. In the educational arena, though, we are still a young school.

As you read these blogs, please feel free to respond to me via e-mail. I look forward to our interaction.

Dana

“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5