There is reason to be thankful. God is granting many blessings from many people for the benefit of many students instructed by many faculty members. GPLHS is doing well - because God is merciful.
Forty-three delegates representing 20 congregations plus an individual associate member were present. Elected to the board for three-year terms are: Rev. David Reichel of Mitchell, Jon Meyer of South Shore, Doug Arndt of Watertown, Verlyn Hahn and Paul Fick of Sioux Falls. Rev. Bruce Mueller was elected chairman of the board, Paul Fick, VP, Rev. Reichel, treasurer and Brian Lendt, secretary. Another teacher vacancy on the board will be filled by appointment. Retiring board members are: Marion Schlomer, David Wittrock and Nathan Smith.
The treasurer's report reflected God's great blessings again this fiscal year. Income has been ahead of budget and expenses have been under budget. In November accepted a consolidated loan for $2M at 5.5% interest with monthly payments of $13,757 for 20 years. The newly adopted budget of $1,263,519 calls for a 4% increase in gifts from congregations and an 8% increase in giving from individuals.
During the months of May & June there is a matching gift of $25,000 in honor of our graduates. We qualify for this gift as we gather $75,000. This means that for every three dollars given, there is an extra dollar. (Thrivent matching also qualifies.)
The principal reported a very favorable ruling in Pierre that granted a waiver from certain accreditation rules. This is a blessing to GPLHS and all our WELS schools in SD.
GPL focuses on providing a Christian education with excellence in academics. Our math students recently won the competition with a score that more than doubled the second place school. We also won a recent Quiz Bowl in the ECC. The overall GPA for mid-quarter is 3.284. Jacob Steinmetz is valedictorian and Emily Fritze is saluatorian - both from St. Martin's in Watertown.
The current enrollment is 113 with 18 freshmen applications received.
Special thanks were extended to Karen Miller for her 10 years of service. The Auxiliary also celebrated 10 years of service to GPL with its spring meeting on May 3.
The WELSAA self-study has analyzed the school's climate - the general atmosphere of the school. This study involved parents, students and faculty. In all seven areas of the survey we received a 90% approval rating or better.
There are more activities in the dorm to keep the students constructively occupied. That includes a dorm version of Survivor and Amazing Race plus an intramural softball tournament. Of the 22 seniors, 20 are planning on entering college. Three are enrolled at MLC and possibly one more. Two are going to Bethany, three to technical schools and others to public colleges. Next year the dorm will have over 80 students and an additional supervisor in the person of Tutor Fischer's wife. There will be a number of summer ministry opportunities including a trip to Florida and help with Camp Luther. Among the blessings of this school year are our dorm supervisors. Tutors Seelow and Fischer will continue through next year.
The board of directors is restructuring. The education committee will be subdivided into a personnel committee and an education/students services and activities committee. The Coordination Recruitment/Development Public Relations Committees are merged into the Development Committee.
Next year all sophomores are required to take Physical Education. Students who have taken higher level math classes in grade school will be able to receive credit for those courses and continue on to higher level math classes in high school
Tuition payments are made easier through electronics. All tuition/board payments of freshmen must be paid electronically. All others will be urged to use this same payment option.
Property improvements during the summer include: a sprinkler system around the buildings and in the south pond area. The tutor's quarters will be enhanced and a tutor's office provided in the original section of the dorm.
The Endowment Fund currently has nearly $199,318 invested for Student Assistance.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 16 at 4:00 PM Booster Club Mtg 5:00 PM Award's Banquet
May 16 at 7:00 PM Kaleidescope concert
May 17 at 10:00 AM Graduation for 22 Seniors