2013 TOWN HALL MEETING

Building Community

Welcome and

Invocation

Jeff Farrell, Chairman, Hill Country Board of

Trustees

2013-2014 Board of Trustees

John Brooks, Finance Committee ChairMark Dietz, Finance CommitteeJeff Farrell, Board ChairmanEric Howard, Education Committee ChairBrenda Lychner, Marketing Committee ChairJames McSpadden, Development Committee ChairDarcy Myers, Marketing Committee and SecretaryTrae Vacek, Development Committee Todd Janssen, Non-Voting Member, HCBC Elder Board Representative Bill McGee, Non-Voting Member, Head of School

Mission StatementThe mission of Hill Country Christian School of Austin is to provide a Christ-centered, Classical, college-preparatory education that inspires students to become life-long learners and effective communicators who impact the world with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ.

Vision StatementHill Country Christian School will be the benchmark of excellence in Christ-centered education.

Core Values

We value and affirm:

• The importance of relationships at all levels.

• Grace over legalism.• Striving for excellence in all

things.• Equipping and encouraging

future world-changers to find their God-given calling.

• A balance between spiritual inspiration and development and academic growth.

2012 Strategic Plan6 Key Result Areas

1. Finance and Resource Development2. Curriculum and Programs3. Spiritual and Character

Development4. Faculty and Staff Development5. Marketing and Communications6. Growth and Facilities

State of the School

Bill McGee, Head Master

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMEN

TS IN 2012 

ACADEMIC

• Hired capable and experienced principal of Upper School.

• Established a distinct School of Logic that encompasses grades 6-8.

• Expanded elective offerings, including Robotics, Forensic Science, and WEB Savvy

• Expanded and improved the fine arts offerings, including dramatic growth in theatre arts, culminating in a State Runner-Up finish for One Act Play team.

• Conducted needs assessment to identify how school can better meet the differentiated needs of its students.

ACADEMIC- TECHNOLOGY

• Began updating the Technology Strategic Plan.

• Installed projectors, document cameras, and/or flat screen TV monitors in every classroom.

• Completed 1:1 pilot program for iPads in 9th grade.

• Implemented 1:1 pilot program for MacBooks in grades 11-12.

SPIRITUAL & CHARACTER

DEVELOPMENT

• Hired Executive Director of Christian Life to oversee programs that cultivate the spiritual and character development of students.

• Expanded the “Great Day of Service” into a “Great Week of Service.”

• Researched and currently vetting new Bible curriculum for grades 1-6.

FACULTY & STAFF DEVELOPMENT

 • Appointed task force to review

and improve the current faculty evaluation system.

• Increased budget allotment for professional development of teachers.

• Designed and will soon launch an annual faculty survey to obtain feedback on policies, programs, morale, and teaching environment.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 

• Implemented new Student Information System, Veracross.

• Researched and will soon launch new parent and student surveys.

 

 GROWTH & FACILITIES

 

• Increased enrollment by 11% (20% growth over two years).

• Completed feasibility study for a future capital campaign.

• Refreshed computer lab with new computers and furniture.

• Purchased new computers for library.

• Installed new playground equipment at recreation field.

• Installed new scoreboard at Hatch field.

• Implementing new phone system.• Purchased new bus. 

  FINANCE & RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT • Generated surplus in

operating budget for third consecutive year.

• Accelerated payment of debt.• Invested surplus in much

needed capital expenditures.

Education Committee

Report

Eric Howard, PhD

Education Committee Chair

2012-2013 Strategic Focus Areas

• Hire a Director of Christian Life to oversee spiritual development

• Develop a "Core Christian Curriculum" for consistent Christian Worldview training

• Begin process of developing a quality fine arts program

• Increase school's ability to meet different learning styles of mission appropriate students

• Improve methods for faculty evaluation

Marketing Committee

Report

Brenda Lychner Marketing Committee

Chair

2012 Marketing Efforts• Continued efforts to implement

consistent branding oExpanded school storeoBus wrap

• Continued web-based advertising through Google Ads

• Targeted print advertising in various local publications

• Participation in marketing events- MOPS groups, local school fair, HCBC community events, etc.

Website Traffic

Total Visitors

2010: 2,148* 2011: 60,8542012: 96,558

Unique Visitors

2010: 1,234*2011: 26,7842012: 35,115

38% of website traffic from new visitors

* 2010 data collected since launch of new site in Fall 2010

Measuring Success

Approx. 10% increase in enrollment year over year over past two years

2011 Enrollment 2012 Enrollment 2013 Enrollment

471 511 565

Projected enrollment for 2013-2014: 605

2013 Marketing Committee

Strategic Plan Initiatives• Parent, Staff, and Upper School Student

Surveyso Contracted with ISM to administer standardized,

anonymous surveyso Data comparison to other private schoolso First time we have surveyed our staff and studentso Will be administered 3rd quarter

• Internal Marketing Initiativeso Classical education “elevator speech”o Continued enhancements to website and print

materials

Finance Committee

Report

John Brooks, CPAFinance Committee

Chair

FY12 – FY13 Financial Summary

FY12 Highlights• Final enrollment and net giving

exceeded budget.

• Funded all FY12 initiatives and generated capital surplus to accelerate debt repayment.

FY13 Highlights• 12% YoY enrollment growth

• Increased salaries and benefits to attract/retain top talent and keep pace with rising heath care costs

• Hired Upper School Principal and Christian Life Director

• Installed new SIS (Veracross)

• Planned reliance on community giving of 4.5%

Other Initiative Spending & FY14 Preview

FY12-FY13

• Curriculum enhancements (Math in Focus, refresh textbooks, etc.)• Capital improvements in portables and technology• Measured investments in Development to meet strategic growth plans• New athletic field and expanded athletic programs• Capital surplus used to accelerate debt repayment. On pace to retire remaining

debt by the end of 2013, one year ahead of schedule.

FY14 Preview (Preliminary)

• Incremental teaching and admin staff to keep pace with enrollment growth• Add Director of Development and Curriculum/Instruction Specialist• Increase salaries and benefits to attract/retain top talent• Increase benefit credits to comply with AHCA requirements (a.k.a. Obamacare)• Update and refresh selected curriculum• Capital improvements in portables and computers/technology• Eliminate athletic participation fees per community feedback

Hill Country Christian Financial Planning Tenets/Constraints

Full Cost Tuition – Net tuition = 100% of operating expenses• Financial Aid no more than 10% of gross tuition revenue• Undesignated giving no more than 5% of operating expenses• Ensures sufficient tuition revenue to cover operating expenses• Maintains a clear connection between tuition rates and services delivered• Creates a “healthy” tension between tuition increases and operating expense trends• Provides for more predictable annual tuition increases

Debt Covenant – Certified budget must deliver $100k in free cash flow• Until FY10 debt is retired, $100K in principal due annually• Ensures sufficient cash flow to meet both operating expenses and debt obligations

Capital Expenditures• “Normal” capex (e.g. facilities, IT, etc.) funded from operating cash flow• Initiatives and strategic investments funded from designated giving

Spending Priorities – aligned with process school mission & 3 “C’s”• Faculty, staff & curriculum• Programs and facilities• Spiritual growth• Marketing & advancement

Development Committee

Report

Trae Vacek Development Committee

Development Committee

Organizational Chart

Development Restructuring

Annual Fund Restructure• People: Treasure a Teacher,

Benevolence • Programs: Technology, Fine Arts, and

Athletics Enhancements• Physical Assets: Athletic Field, Capital

Improvements

*PTF is no longer a fundraising arm. Athletics Booster Club is a fundraising arm.

Annual Fund Update

Carmen HamiltonExecutive Director of

Advancement

Every GIFT,

Every FAMILY,

Every YEAR,

Makes an IMPACT!

Annual Fund Update

Our Parent Participation

2012-2013: 2011-2012: 2010-2011: 2009-2010: 2008-1009:

NAIS National Average for Parent Participation: 67%

We have reached 63% of

our goal.

41%49.5%48%68%39%

Parent Participation by

Grade Level

2011-2012 Annual Fund Allocation

*An additional $121,763 of designated gifts was received outside of the Annual Fund.

Development By the Numbers

• 157 households, of our 383, have given to this year’s Annual Fund

• 101 households have given more than they gave last year

• 49 households are first-time donors• 30 families have used our new, online

giving option• 100% of Board of Trustees has

participated• 100% of PTF Board has participated• 100% of Development Committee has

participated

Restricted vs. Unrestricted Gifts

2012-2013 Annual Fund

Unrestricted: $133,190

Restricted: $55,500

Parent-Teacher

Fellowship (PTF)ReportCarol Smith

PTF President

PTF: Serving…to the Glory of God!

The mission of the PTF is to develop a positive and welcoming climate for all parents while assisting the administration in meeting its current needs through:

• Advancing the mission & vision of the school.

• Facilitating communication parents & staff.

• Supporting the staff & administration to do their work effectively.

• Serving & loving our staff & administration as they carry out their work & promote their personal welfare.

• Promoting academic, spiritual, & social development for our student body that increases re-enrollment.

• Enhancing parental participation.

PTF in Action: Building Community

Fall• Knights Unite–Back to School Event• Healthy Knights Wellness

Challenge/5K• Booster Club–Tailgates/Homecoming

Carnival• Monthly Teacher Appreciation

Events

Spring• Texas Stars Hockey Game–Saturday,

February 16th • Golf Tournament–Monday, March 4th

• Reunion Ranch All-School Family Event– Sunday, March 24th

• Yearly Auction Moved to Fall

2012-2013 PTF BoardPresident

Carol Smith

VPCarla Robertson

TreasurerDarla Tyler

SecretaryLori Dise

CommunicationsLisa Maher

Spirit ChairTBD

HeadmasterBill McGee

Staff Liaison/Advancement &Operations

Carmen Hamilton

Office LiaisonJennifer Neumann

Director ofCommunicationsSuzanne Farrell

Church LiaisonHope Fritschle

FellowshipEvents Chair

TBD

Volunteer ChairStacy Kelly

Homeroom Moms Chair

Candice Stephens

High SchoolChair

Suzy Phillips

Academic BCChair

Victoria Policke

Staff Appreciation Chair

Stancey Curry

Lower SchoolEvents ChairJanet Snapp

CommunityBuilders Chair

MeredithMcSpadden

Executive Board

Committee Chairman

Project Lead

Ex-Officio member – school staffUnofficial key contributor

Ex-Officio church member

Middle SchoolChair

Angi Horton

Alumni ChairMargie Thurman

Healthy KnightsChair

Melanie Lloyd/Leah Smith

Get Plugged In!

Next PTF Meeting

Tuesday, Feb. 126:30 p.m. in 3.312

Q & A

Preparing for College. Preparing for Life.