To the Pastor’s Council and Leadership of SCS,

We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and stakeholders of students at Somerset Christian School (SCS), come forward out of a deep love for this school, our belief in its mission, and our commitment to its future. As our children grow in both faith and knowledge, we believe now is a critical moment to reflect on how we can strengthen the path forward for SCS, especially in the areas of academic rigor, leadership, communication, and transparency.

1. Academic Excellence Must Be a Priority
We chose SCS because we desire our children to grow both spiritually and academically. However, the academic curriculum—particularly in middle and high school—must be elevated to match the quality of the Christian education and values that SCS promotes.

• There is a need for more AP and dual-credit class offerings to adequately prepare students for college.
• A college and career advisor should be assigned to help students choose the right academic pathways early on.
• Students deserve access to rigorous academic opportunities comparable to public school offerings, without sacrificing their Christian education.
• We cannot accept the trade-off of a nurturing spiritual environment at the cost of subpar academics.
• Develop curriculum maps across all grade levels.

2. Leadership & Faculty Stability Are Essential

Strong schools require strong leaders. We urge the hiring and retention of administrators with proven experience in academic leadership and a commitment to Christian education.

• Teacher turnover is high, and morale is low. We believe compensation must be improved to attract and retain excellent educators.
• Stable, experienced teachers are the foundation of a great school—and our children deserve consistency in their learning environments.
• With only one school-wide leader currently in place, funds previously allocated to multiple leadership salaries could be reallocated to support increased teacher pay, which would directly impact morale, stability, and student success.

3. Athletics Should Be Valued as Ministry
Sports are a powerful form of ministry and personal development. We respectfully request:

• Support for expanding athletic programs, both in number and quality.
• Flexibility for SCS students to participate in sports not offered at SCS through partnerships with other schools, as is done in other regions.
• A collaborative spirit between administration and parent-led initiatives to grow athletic offerings.

4. Transparency in Governance and Finances
Transparency builds trust. As engaged parents and contributors, we believe that:

• School financials should be made publicly available, as they were in years past.
• PTO funds should be clearly allocated to directly benefit student experiences and events, not maintenance or administrative expenses.
• A single, empowered school board not one overseen by a separate pastoral council, would allow for more efficient decision-making and accountability.

5. Communication Must Be Consistent and Clear
The breakdown in communication has led to confusion, frustration, and reduced parent involvement. We ask for:

• Timely and transparent updates about changes, decisions, and events.
• Equal access to information for all parents, regardless of PTO involvement.
• A unified communication system that promotes inclusion, not fragmentation.

6. A Call for Visionary Leadership
We believe in this school. We believe in its mission. But we also believe that SCS needs leadership that listens, includes, and acts in the best interests of students and families. This includes taking into account the collective concerns voiced over the years by parents, faculty, and students alike.

We recognize that no school is perfect and that change takes time. However, we believe SCS has the potential to be a model for what Christ-centered education should look like: spiritually rich, academically excellent, and deeply community-driven.

We submit these thoughts not out of criticism, but out of deep commitment to seeing SCS thrive for our children, and for the generations to come.

We are not here to tear down, but to rebuild. We stand in unity, praying for wisdom, humility, and courage from all those entrusted with the stewardship of this school.