Umpqua Valley Christian School, Roseburg, Oregon
Adopted on August 6, 1987
Amended November 2, 2000, July 8, 2014, August 30, 2017, April 26, 2018
Article I: Name
As declared in our articles of incorporation and in the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the State of Oregon on October 5, 1987, the name of this school shall be Umpqua Valley Christian School.
Article II: Mission and Vision
The purpose of this school is to serve the Christian community as an independent parachurch organization committed to sound Christian education, as follows:
Section 1: Mission Statement
The mission of Umpqua Valley Christian School is to partner with parents to educate and disciple students from a Biblical worldview.
Section 2: Vision
Through a high level of academic preparation from a Biblical perspective as funds allow:
Providing preparation for high school graduation, meeting the various needs of students by providing vocational, general, and college preparatory programs that meet or exceed state minimum standards.
Providing a graded educational experience for preschool through grade twelve.
Article III: Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible (the 66 books of the Protestant Canon, commonly known as the books from Genesis to Revelation) to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God(II Tim. 3:16, II Peter 1:21). We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit(Deut. 6:4, Matt. 28:19, John 1:1, John 14:16, Phil. 2:6-11). We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth(Matt. 1:18, 1 Tim. 3:16), in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father(Matt. 18:5-6, Acts 1:2, Heb. 4:14-16, 1 John 2:1), and in His personal return in power and glory(Tit. 2:13, 1 Thes. 4:13-18, John 14:3).
We believe that salvation is by grace, through faith, and is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast(Eph 2:8-9, John 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Rom. 10:9-10, I Cor. 15:3-4). We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people (Gen. 1:27, Gen. 3:17-19, Rom. 5:12), regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential(John 1:12-13, John 3:6, Gal. 3:26). We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation(Rev. 20:5-7, 11-15). We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe God endows all human life with inherent dignity at every stage of development and it must be respected and protected from conception to natural death. Thus, the unjustified, intentional taking of human life before or after birth is sinful and offensive to God.
We believe God immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God, and rejecting one’s biological sex rejects the created image of God.
We believe God designed marriage as a unique conjugal relationship joining one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, life-long union. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman joined in marriage. We believe all forms of sexual immorality are sinful and offensive to God.
These statements have been adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals and The Alliance Defending Freedom. This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Umpqua Valley Christian School’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is Umpqua Valley Christian School’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
Statement of Faith Amendment adopted August 30, 2017 by 95% approval from UVC students’ parents.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1:
The officers of this school shall consist of the administration and a school board.
Section 2:
Each officer of this school, with the exception of the administration, shall serve in the office for a term of three years, unless such service is terminated by resignation, death, or dismissal. Any board member is eligible to be considered for a second successive three-year term. After a second term on the board, the board member shall step down from service for at least a full year before becoming eligible again for the board.
Section 3:
The board shall organize itself to have a chairman, secretary, treasurer, and the following standing committees:
Budget and finance
By-Laws and policy
Scholarships (screening and funding)
Public relations (including parent communications)
Curriculum
Maintenance
Section 4:
Board members must meet the following qualifications before being considered for a position on the Umpqua Valley Christian School Board:
Must sign and return a letter affirming these qualifications and his or her commitment.
Be willing to take an active role in the school board's work load.
Have all his or her school-age children enrolled in Umpqua Valley Christian School or state side home study, unless they have children with special needs which cannot be accommodated by Umpqua Valley Christian School. Members must have had children in Umpqua Valley Christian School for at least one full school year, or must indicate evidence of support and/or involvement in Christian education if he/she does not have children of eligible school age.
Have a commitment to Christian day school education based on Christian principles, rather than simply as an alternative to public education.
Be a member of good standing in a local church.
Agree with the Umpqua Valley Christian School's Statement of Faith.
Be in the experience of salvation.
Section 5:
The election of the new board members shall then follow this procedure:
The Umpqua Valley Christian School Board shall consist of at least 5 and no more than 11 members, to be elected by the school board and referred to the parents, to be confirmed by a 51% approval of votes received by students’ parents and/or legal guardians. The decision to change the number of board members must be approved with a 2/3 majority vote of board members. Members shall serve a three-year rotating term. Following the completion of their first term, members may serve a second consecutive three-year term if reconfirmed by a 51% approval of votes received by students’ parents and/or legal guardians.
The Umpqua Valley Christian School Board will act as the nominating committee for the new board members, or will appoint an ad hoc committee from within the board.
A slate of nominees will be published no later than two weeks prior to the election. Parent's nominations will be accepted through April 1, subject to meeting the Umpqua Valley Christian School board member qualifications and commitment.
The board will conduct a confirmation vote of the parents of Umpqua Valley Christian School's students prior to June, with results published before June 15.
A vacant board position may be filled by appointment by affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining board members, even if less than a minimum number of board members remain. A board member appointed by the board to fill a vacancy must be confirmed by the parents of Umpqua Valley Christian School's students within 12 months of being appointed by the board.
Official Umpqua Valley Christian School Board terms will begin July 1, and end June 30 of the appropriate year. New members are advised to attend the June board meeting before becoming voting members in July.
Article V: Selection of Superintendent/Principal and Staff
Section 1: Hiring
The superintendent/ principal has the responsibility of informing the individual of the final decision.
The superintendent/ principal and the school board will make the final selection.
Selected individuals will be interviewed by the school board.
The superintendent/ principal will do the initial screening.
The chairman of the school board shall be made aware of any changes or additions of teaching positions for initial recommendations and placement of teachers.
The superintendent/ principal shall be selected and hired by the school board. The superintendent/ principal of this school shall be a person who has been called by God and who is well-trained for his/her position.
Section 2: Teacher Qualifications
Applicants must support the teachings, beliefs, and standards of God's Word and communicate these to our students.
Applicants must have a love for children and be able to meet the needs of their particular students.
The applicant must be a born-again Christian and exhibit Christian character and conduct.
Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelors Degree and be certified or willing to complete the requirements for teacher certification with the Association of Christian Schools International.
Article VI: Duties of Officers
Section 1: Duties of Superintendent/Principal
The superintendent/principal shall faithfully perform the day to day administrative duties of his/her office and oversee the teaching staff. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the school board and of its auxiliary organizations.
Section 2: Duties of the School Board
The school board shall act as and in all respects shall be the board of directors of this corporation and shall hold regular monthly business meetings. The school board shall establish the policies, plan the general program and supervise the activities of the school through standing and special committees and auxiliary organizations. The school board shall inform and instruct all committees as to their duties. The school board shall follow Robert's Rules of Order for all of its meetings unless other rules have been adopted.
Section 3: Duties of the School Board Chairman
The chairman of the school board shall preside at all meetings of the board and shall oversee all activities of the committees of the board. In the absence of the chairman, at any given meeting, the board shall select a chairman to preside.
Section 4: Duties of the School Board Secretary
It will be the duty of the board secretary to keep a complete record of the board meetings, in record books provided by the school, which shall be the property of the school, and to write any correspondence required by the board.
Section 5: Duties of the Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the board treasurer to work with the Finance & Budget Committee to review and recommend action related to the board’s financial responsibilities. The treasurer will work with the Head of School and the Finance Director to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis. The treasurer will also work with the finance & budget committee and board to retain an independent certified public accountant to perform an annual financial statement review or audit.
Section 6: Duties of the Budget & Finance Committee
It shall be the duty of the budget & finance committee to present to the board, for its approval, an itemized budget for school expenses. It shall recommend to the board the bank where the funds of the school shall be deposited. It shall be responsible for ensuring a financial records review is completed annually and submitted to the board. This committee shall promote the raising of funds for any special project outside the budget as may be approved by the school board. This committee may select a financial records secretary or recommend a bookkeeper as needed.
Section 7: Duties of Organization and Policies Committee
Before God and with His direction, the organization and policies committee shall submit proposals for by-laws changes, and operational policies to the school board of Umpqua Valley Christian School.
Section 8: Duties of Scholarship Committee
Money for scholarships shall be raised by the scholarship committee which shall establish guidelines for the distribution of funds, evaluate scholarship applications, and make recommendations for the distribution of funds.
Section 9: Duties of Public Relations Committee
The public relations committee shall promote the school and its activities to the school families, the host church and the community.
Section 10: Duties of the Curriculum Committee
The curriculum committee shall evaluate the planned activities for courses of study, textbooks and media in keeping with Umpqua Valley Christian School's goals and objectives for spiritual and educational training and make recommendations to the school board for additions or changes in the school curriculum.
Section 11: Duties of the Building and Properties Committee
It shall be the duty of the building and properties committee to maintain the school property in good repair and to make needed improvements as authorized by the school board. It shall recommend to the board such employees as needed to maintain the property at a salary determined in conjunction with the finance committee and approved by the board. They shall have charge of the real and personal property of the school, but shall not sell, mortgage, or otherwise encumber the real estate or other property of the school without the consent of the school board.
Section 12: Duties of the Financial Records Secretary
The financial records secretary shall keep an account of each contributor, showing contributions received to each fund. He/she will provide each contributor with offering envelopes. He/she shall immediately deliver to his/her successor all books and records in his/her possession. He/she shall keep an itemized record of amounts received for respective funds monthly. He/she shall receive all the gifts given to the school, and with the treasurer, count all the money. He/she shall deposit in the bank designated by the board. He/she shall be bonded by the school.
Section 13: Relationship of Committees to the School Board
All committees shall be advisory to the school board and may include non-board members. No committee or auxiliary organization shall encumber the school in any way without the express authorization of the school board.
Article VII: Auxiliary Organizations
Section 1:
All officers of auxiliary organizations shall be elected by their respective organizations.
Section 2:
The by-laws of any auxiliary organization shall not conflict with the by-laws of the school.
Section 3:
Meetings of auxiliary organization shall not conflict with the meetings of the school and shall be under the guidance of the superintendent/ principal and the school board.
Section 4:
All organizations of the school must be approved by the school board.
Article VIII: The School Year
The fiscal year of the school shall begin on the 1st day of August and close on the 31st day of July.
Article IX:
These by-laws may be amended at any regular or called parents meeting of the school by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present provided that a written notice of the proposed amendment has been published and distributed to the parents two weeks prior to such a meeting.