August 17, 2009

To: ANSAA Member Schools

From: Beverly Gray, ANSAA Executive Director

On behalf of the ANSAA Board of Directors, I welcome you to the 2009-2010 school year. We are pleased to have you as part of our association and we look forward to assisting you in maintaining your school’s excellent reputation by adhering to professional standards through the evaluation and accreditation process.

Assistant Director of ANSAA

It is my pleasure to introduce Kristine Grelle who will be serving as the Assistant Director of ANSAA. The new position was created by the ANSAA Board in June in order to fill the increasing demands of our ANSAA organization. Kristine Grelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas. After achieving her Master’s degree she continued coursework at the University of Arkansas to obtain licensure in Educational Administration. She worked at St. Vincent de Paul School in Rogers, Arkansas for nineteen years, twelve of those years were spent teaching Kindergarten, 4^th grade and 5^th-7^th grade, and the other seven were as administrator of the school. She has served as a consultant for the Diocese of Little Rock and on several validation teams for ANSAA.  Kristine is excited to begin her tenure as Assistant Director of ANSAA and looks forward to continuing the mission of promoting quality education in Arkansas.

Election of ANSAA Officers 2009-2010:

President                     Greg Jones, Chief Academic Officer, Shiloh Christian, Springdale

Vice President             Sharon Blentlinger, Principal, Immaculate Conception, Ft. Smith

Secretary                     Vernell Bowen, Superintendent, Catholic Schools of AR, Little Rock

Treasurer                     Sharon Morgan, Principal, The Anthony School, Little Rock

ANSAA Board Members Re-elected for Three Year Terms / 2009-2012

Vernell Bowen, Superintendent, Catholic Schools of AR, Little Rock, Board Position #1

Dr. Russell Eudy, Superintendent, Abundant Life School, Sherwood, Board Position #3

Position #1          Vernell Bowen          2009 / 2012

Position #3          Russell Eudy             2009 / 2012

Position #4          Harrell Austin           2007 / 2010

Position #5          Ileana Dobbins          2007 / 2010

Position #6          Sharon Blentlinger    2007 / 2010

Position #7          Carter Lambert          2008 / 2011

Position #8          Nora Yates                2008 / 2011

Position #9          Greg Jones                2008 / 2011

Position #10        Sharon Morgan         2008 / 2011

ANSAA Newly Elected Board Member

Dr. Leesa Renshaw, Head of Academics/Student Life, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock, has been elected to Board Position #2 which was vacated by Mark Benton. Dr. Leesa Renshaw has over 30 years experience in education, which include 15 years of administrative experience and 19 years of teaching at the secondary level. She received a Bachelor of Education in 1973 from Henderson State, a Master of Education in 1986 from Southern Arkansas University University, and a Doctor of Education in 2003 from UALR in Educational Administration (K-12). She is Arkansas Certified as a Curriculum Specialist, Secondary Administrator and Biology/Science teacher. When asked by she was interested in serving on the ANSAA Board of Directors she replied, “I feel that private schools play an important role in creating the next generation of creative leaders for our state and our nation. I think working with ANSAA is the most positive and effective way to impact the future of these fine institutions.”

Tremendous Thank You to Dr. Mark Benton

We are grateful to Dr. Mark Benton for all his dedication and commitment to ANSAA. He has served our ANSAA Board of Director for nine years and has worked directly with the Arkansas Activities Association in our behalf. Dr. Benton is now serving as the Director of Academics and Missions for Jackson Christian School in Jackson, Tennessee. We wish Mark and his family continued success as they carry on the mission of serving faith-based education.

Welcome to the New School Administrators for the 2009-2010 School Year

Abiding Faith Christian School, Crossett                               Chris Hammond, Administrator

Avilla Christian Academy, Alexander                                    Ross Chiles, Principal

Harding Academy, Searcy                                                      James Simmons, Headmaster

Immaculate Conception Catholic School, NLR                 George E. Robertson, Principal

Mount St. Mary Academy                                                       Diane Wolfe

Pulaski Academy, Little Rock                                                 Dr. William Mott, President

St. Edward’s School, Little Rock                                            Jason Pohlmeier, Principal

St. John Catholic School, Russellville                              Theresa (Terri) Kobs, Administrator

St. Joseph Catholic School, Paris                                   Bradley Kent, Principal

St. Vincent de Paul School, Rogers                                        Ann Morrison, Interim Principal

The Cathedral School, Little Rock                                          Dr. Fred Niell, Headmaster

ANSAA Orientation Meeting for New Administrators

There will be an ANSAA Orientation Meeting for new administrators Thursday, September 10, 2009 / 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Center in Little Rock. Lunch will be provided and a registration form will be e-mailed.

Welcome to New ANSAA Associate School

Abiding Faith Christian School, Crossett, AR, Chris Hammond, Administrator

Founded 1990 / Independent / K4-12 / Enrollment 115 Students                            

Trinity Christian Academy in Siloam Springs

Trinity Christian Academy in Siloam Springs has closed as of July 2009 due to the declining economy. Please keep the school families in your prayers as they relocate. Valerie Davidson will be overseeing all student records. If you have any question, please call (479) 549-3595.
Congratulations for Completing ANSAA Accreditation in the 2008-2009 School Year Accreditation Renewals:

Central AR Christian, NLR, (K-12)                                             Dr. Carter Lambert, President

Trinity Jr. High, Ft. Smith, (7-9)                                                   Chandler Doss, Principal

St. Joseph Catholic H.S., Pine Bluff (7-12)                                 Brenda Costello, Principal                      

Ridgefield Christian, Jonesboro, (K-12)                                       Randy Johnson, Administrator              

St. Peter Catholic, Pine Bluff                                                       Carol Ann Beeman, Principal                 

Initial Accreditation Pending:

Word of Outreach Christian Academy L.R. (K-12)                     Cheryl Washington, Admin.         

National Council for American Private Education

ANSAA has been accepted as a member of CAPE and Dr. Gary Arnold, Little Rock Christian Academy, was instrumental in introducing the ANSAA Board to the value of a CAPE membership. Dr. Arnold and Vernell Bowen attended the CAPE meeting in Washington D.C in  March. The June CAPE Board meeting was held in Little Rock and was hosted by Dr. Arnold and ANSAA with the following states in attendance: Arizona, California, Minnesota, New York, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Topics of discussion were:

Accreditation & Accountability, Universal Preschool, Tuition Tax Credits, Virtual Learning, and individual state issues affecting private education.

Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations Annual Meeting

The NFNSSAA Annual Meeting was held in Little Rock, April 30-1, 2009. The following states were present: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Missouri, and Michigan. Agenda items included:

                  Kathy House, Principal, Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock

Barbara Stork, Michigan,        President

Beverly Gray, Arkansas          Vice-President

Sarah Mueller, Minnesota       Treasurer

Arkansas Activity Association / AAA

Thanks to all our ANSAA schools for your input in dealing with AAA Proposal No. 7.  Many of you served on ANSAA committees and did a lot of networking to get the positive results we received. The vote was bitter-sweet with the margin being so close (93-114). We will all continue to work together to determine what will be in the best interest of our ANSAA schools in the future. Your continued input is critical as we may be facing a similar proposal in August, 2010.  This will be a year of scrutiny that will probably exceed any to date. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue to serve our students and build positive relations with our public schools.

The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) Annual Meeting of the Governing Board was held August 4, 2009 in Little Rock.  The focus of the meeting was to consider eight proposals to amend the AAA Constitution and Bylaws.

Proposal No. 1 / Sportsmanship Handbook                                                   Passed  

Bands or any component thereof (e.g. drums) will not disrupt an opponent's game.

Proposal No. 2 / Out-Of-State Events                                                             Passed

Allows participation with states that are not contiguous to Arkansas if they are within 300 miles.

Proposal No. 3 / Golf Classification & Qualifying Procedures                    Passed

Classification of schools for golf and state qualifying procedures.

Proposal No. 4 / Classification of Schools                                                      Failed

Non-public school's classification is moved higher if the school wins a state championship in football or boys basketball.

Proposal No. 5 / Baseball and Softball Beginning Season                            Passed

To begin softball and baseball season on week #35 and end on week #46 of AAA calendar.

Proposal No. 6 / Benefit Games                                                                      Failed

To permit up to two senior high school benefit football games to be played in week 7 and/or 8.

Proposal No. 7 / Tournament Competition                                                   Failed

For all AAA sponsored championship tournament competition, there shall be two categories, schools who do not offer need-based financial aid and schools offering need-based financial aid.

Proposal No. 8 / Non-Public Transfer Rule                                                  Passed

Eligibility enrollment deadline for nonpublic school students will be July 1 before entering the 7th grade. Nonpublic schools that do not offer 7th and/or 8th grade must enroll by July 1 in the lowest grade offered by the school.

ANSAA Board Meeting Dates & Events for 2009-2010

Tuesday, September 8, 2009               Holy Souls / Ileana Dobbins

Monday, November 9, 2009               St. Johns Center, LR / Vernell Bowen

Monday, March 1, 2010                     CAC / Russell Eudy

Monday, June 7, 2010                       ANSAA Office, LR, Beverly Gray

ANSAA New Administrator Orientation, St. John’s Center, LR

Thursday, September 10, 2009 / 10:00 to 2:00

ANSAA Annual Meeting, St. John’s Center, LR / Tuesday, November 10, 2009 / 9:00- 2:00        

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Linda Montgomery Buell, EdD

“Beyond the Dog & Pony Show: Feedback that Really Works”                    

Fee Structure

The ANSAA Board voted to not increase the annual membership fee for accredited and non-accredited schools for the 2009-2010 school year. An ANSAA Board committee will continue to formulate a possible fee structure based on school enrollment effective in the 2010-2011 school year. Although this change was anticipated to take effect this year, the board decided to delay this modification due to the current state of the economy. The annual fee structure for the 2009-2010 school year is as follows: accredited elementary school $450, accredited secondary school $450, non-accredited elementary school $300, non-accredited secondary school $300.

Annual Meeting Fee: The ANSAA Annual Meeting fee will also remain the same as last year; $50.00 for the first attendee and $25.00 for each additional attendee from the same school.

ANSAA Candidate Status Schools & Site Visit Dates for 2009-2010

ANSAA Renewals:

Fayetteville Christian, Fayetteville, (7-12)          Brad Jones, Superintendent                     Oct. 4-7, 2009

Immaculate Conception, NLR, (K-8)                              George E. Robertson, Principal          Spring 2010

NLR Catholic Academy, NLR, (K-8)                      Denise Troutman, Principal                    May 2-5, 2010

St. John School, Russellville, (K-5)                         Christi Priore, Interim Principal              Pending

Dual Accreditations Renewals:                                                                                    

Crowley’s Ridge Academy, Paragould, (K-12)       Frank Harris, President

First Lutheran School, Ft. Smith, (K-6)                   Eric Pralle, Principal

Little Rock Christian Academy, LR, (K-12)            Dr. Gary Arnold, Head of School          May 10, 2010

Union Christian, Ft. Smith, (K-12)                        Dr. Ralph Spencer, Superintendent   Spring 2009

Initial Dual Accreditation Candidate Status:

Avilla Christian Academy, Alexander, (K-12)         Ross Chiles, Principal                   Dec. 2-4, 2009      

Episcopal Lower Elementary                               Kelly Kennedy, Principal                   Jan. 14-15, 2010

Grace Lutheran School, Lowell, (K-9)                     Steven Gartner, Principal

Initial Accreditation Candidate Status:      

Concordia Christian Academy, Jonesboro, (K-7)    Cheryl Honoree, Principal      

Garrett Memorial Christian, Hope, (K-9)                 Dr. Larry Silvery, Principal          

We are in the process of forming teams for the above scheduled schools. If you or any member of your staff would like to be considered as a team member, please contact the ANSAA office (501-803-3888).

ANSAA Annual Report Forms can be Accessed on ANSAA.Com

All forms for the 2009-10 ANSAA Annual Reports are listed on the ANSAA.com with detailed instructions. Contact the ANSAA office (501-803-3888) if you need assistance with the forms or if you would prefer to have the forms mailed to your school. Please do not alter the forms to fit a different format; all forms are new for the 2009-2010 school year to correlate with the ANSAA Policy Manual 2009 Edition. Use the ANSAA Checklist to ensure that all forms have been included in your annual reports.

ANSAA Forms, Reports, and Dues must be mailed to the ANSAA office by September 15

Mail all forms and information listed on the Annual Report Checklist for 2009-10 by the September 15, 2009 deadline to: Beverly Gray, ANSAA Executive Director, 48 Norfork Drive, Maumelle, AR  72113.  If the forms are sent after the September 15th deadline, include a late fee of $100.

Non Accredited Associate Member Forms

Annual Membership Form

Annual Report—Non Accredited Associate Members 

Annual Meeting Registration Form 2009

Annual Report Checklist for 2009-2010

Application for Initial Accreditation (candidate status schools only)

School Calendar for Current Year

ANSAA Accredited School Forms & Reports

Annual Membership Form

Annual Report--Elementary                                        (if applicable)

Annual Report--Secondary                                         (if applicable)

Administrator and Teacher Deficiency Form             (if applicable)

Annual Meeting Registration Form 2009-2010

ANSAA Annual Financial Review Form                   (if applicable)

Audit Verification Letter                                            (if applicable)

Annual Report Checklist for 2009-2010

List of Major Recommendations from last site visit

Written Report Addressing Major Recommendations

School Calendar for Current Year

Application for Accreditation Renewal

The following schools are in their fourth year of the seven year cycle and need to send in an Application for Accreditation Renewal Form along with a $100 filing fee.  

1.      Arkansas Baptist School System – Little Rock

2.      Christ Lutheran School – Little Rock                              

3.      Christ the King School – Fort Smith

4.      Christ the King School – Little Rock

5.      Immaculate Conception – Fort Smith

6.      Our Lady of the Holy Souls School – Little Rock

7.      Pulaski Academy – Little Rock

8.      Sacred Heart School – Morrilton

9.      Shiloh Christian School – Springdale

10.  St. Boniface Catholic School – Fort Smith

11.  St. John Catholic School – Hot Springs

12.  St. Joseph School – Conway

13.  West Side Christian School – El Dorado

Helpful Reminders for Submitting Annual Reports:

·         The ANSAA Annual Financial Review Form can be used in place of a school audit to meet ANSAA Standard *10.3. See the form for instructions. 

·         Audit Verification Letter (if applicable)

      If the school conducted a 2008-2009 school audit, include a verification letter from the  

      Auditing firm or CPA with the annual report.

·         Annual Report

A list of the Major Recommendations from the school’s last accreditation site visit must be sent in each year along with a current progress report stating how the school is addressing the recommendations.

·         ANSAA Policy Manual

The ANSAA Policy Manual was revised in 2009. The Annual Report Forms (Elementary and Secondary) reflect the changes made in the 2009 Policy Manual Edition.

·         Deficiency Plans

Accredited schools must give an annual update on any approved deficiency plan. This updated plan must also include an updated action plan. Any new request for deficiency plans must be reviewed with the executive director before submitting for board approval.

·         E-Mail Addresses

Most information from the ANSAA office to the school administrators will be sent by e-mail. On the Membership Application form indicate the school e-mail address that you want listed in the ANSAA Directory. Under Chief Executive Officer on the same form, indicate where

you want to receive your personal ANSAA information and include any other school administrators’ e-mail addresses that need to receive ANSAA information.

·         ANSAA Website

The ANSAA website is a good resource tool and updated periodically. If you have misplaced any ANSAA mailings or news articles, check the ANSAA.com website.

·         ANSAA Annual Membership Dues / Make Checks Payable to ANSAA  

      Accredited School Elementary - $450 / School Secondary - $450 / Associate School - $300        

      Registration Fee for Annual Meeting:

      $50.00 for the first attendee and $25.00 for each additional attendee from the same school

If you need any assistance during the school year, please do not hesitate to contact the ANSAA office. It is a pleasure to be working with our new ANSAA Assistant Director, Kristine Grelle, and the ANSAA Board. Thanks to all board members, school administrators, and teachers who have given their time and expertise while serving on ANSAA accreditation teams. Your many hours of service have ensured the quality of the accreditation process for nonpublic schools in Arkansas.
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May your school year be filled with blessings!