August 27, 2015
Update on Takoma Park Adventist Education Planning Commission Welcome back to school for the 2015-2016 academic year. We are thankful you’ve chosen Adventist education and pray that your children have a great year growing academically and spiritually. This letter is intended to provide an update about an initiative currently under consideration that will impact students, parents, teachers and everyone who cares about Adventist education in Takoma Park. What’s Going On? In March of this year, leaders of three Takoma Park-based Seventh-day Adventist schools---John Nevins Andrews, Sligo Adventist and Takoma Academy---began exploring the possibility of creating a new model of education for Pre K through 12 th grade. Their shared vision is, “To create an innovative model of Adventist education that provides a holistic learning experience, nurtures faith, develops character and promotes academic excellence from Pre K through 12th grade.” To pursue this vision of excellence, a steering committee---comprised of leadership from all three schools, pastors of the constituent churches and each school board chairman---began exploring viable options and designing proposals for consideration. During the summer, six subcommittees researched and developed proposals for how the new model could be governed, what the program and curriculum could look like, where the new school could be located and how to fund it. In September each subcommittee will present its report and proposal to the steering committee chaired by Erwin Mack, a veteran Adventist educational administrator and retired Takoma Park businessman. Why is This Happening? And why Now? We continue to see a decline in the number of Adventist families in Takoma Park with school-aged children, and yet the Potomac Conference, in collaboration with its constituent churches, operates three major schools within a two-mile radius. Frankly, as we look at the enrollment realities, financial projections, and myriad needs of all three schools, it has become clear that now is the time to proactively pursue a stronger, sustainable future for Adventist education in this community. Recognizing our responsibility to reach out to our community, we need to unite our
effort. We need to remember that Adventist Education must be delivered at a level that will inspire greater outreach from our members and ministries. As we consolidate our academic operations, finances, and resources we will create ample room for our ministries to grow. I believe we can achieve an affordable option while raising the level of excellence in our student’s educational and spiritual experience. What’s Next? Our goal is to be intentional, inclusive and transparent with teachers, pastors, parents, students, and all those who have a vested interest in Adventist education in Takoma Park. This fall every stakeholder should have an opportunity to participate in the process of pursuing and bringing this vision to fruition. Updates and proposals will be shared through town hall meetings, board meetings and constituency meetings for each entity. We will also launch a special webpage – www.pcsda.org/TPAE --- where shared documents and updates will be posted for your review. With your support to move forward, we will gain the appropriate approvals from the schools boards, constituencies, and the Conference Board of Education no later than January of 2016 so employee contracts can be voted by February. Let me be clear that the need for and our commitment to Christian education in Takoma Park remains a priority. As we move forward, we would appreciate your prayers, participation in the process and openness to the opportunity we have to carry on the mission and legacy of providing Seventh-day Adventist Christian Education in Takoma Park with distinction and excellence. Please feel free to send your comments to me at keithh@pcsda.org, and I'll do my best to see that they are part of the conversation. In His Service, Keith L. Hallam Vice President for Education