Maryville Christian School Board

The Maryville Christian School Board of Directors constitutes the authority for Maryville Christian School, school policies, programs, and academic development.  The policies it establishes, the personnel it employs and the manner in which it functions affect the daily life of the staff, faculty, and students.  Responsibility ultimately rests upon the Board for policy directing the growth and quality of the Maryville Christian School.

Board of Directors for the 2009-2010 school year:

Frank Browning, Chair                           Ed Martin
Ramona Akin                                           Becky Milam
Loyce Elmore                                          Ashley Nickloes
Paula Evans                                             Irene Shivers
Randy Shults

The function of the Maryville Christian School Board of Directors is to set school policies and procedures for the general operations.  The Bible and a clear Policy and Procedure Manual are the most important books to guide the Board and the Administration in operating the school.  The manual was written to clarify Maryville Christian School's Board Policies and Procedures, which does, in turn:

(a)  Present a convenient and flexible form of significant information helpful 
       to the Board;
(b)  Orient new Board members to functions and working procedures of the 
       Board;
(c)  Provide the Board with adopted policies so as to assure continuity, 
      stability, and consistency in the oversight of the school;
(d)  Define the power and authority to delegated employees;
(e)  Direct the current practices of the administration;
(f)   Meet the requirements of school accreditation;
(g)  Save time in that the Board does not work out new policies when Board
       has previously discussed and arrived at a satisfactory policy or
       procedure in a prior meeting;
(h)  Assist in orienting new administration to the goals and procedures of the
      school.
(i)   Inform every one of things they need to know and to follow.  Hence, it
      promotes a unity of effort among staff, administration, and Board.

Areas of Responsibility for the School Board:

(a)  Serve as spiritual leaders of the school, waiting upon God for His
       direction.
(b)  Exercise oversight of the entire school.
(c)  Establish sound policies for operation of a good school.
(d)  Employ competent personnel whom they will hold accountable to 
       affect the policies of the school.
(e)  Provide necessary buildings, equipment, and supplies.
(f)   Establish the annual budget and the method of financing the work.
(g)  Assist in interpreting the school to the Christian and the local community.
(h)  Do advance planning for the school's growth.
(i)   Direct the administration to maintain a good working relationship with
      other local Christian schools, with local public schools, with the State
      Department of Education, with regional accrediting associations and
      with Christian School Associations.
(j)  Act as final authority on problems arising with in the school.
(k) Maintain proper and open lines of communication among the school
      family without violating Matthew 18.

Board Member Information:

Mrs. Akin has a bachelor's degree from Maryville College and is currently working on a master's in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Tennessee.  She has 3 children who have graduated from Maryville Christian School and has a daughter who is currently a senior at MCS.  Mrs. Akin has served on the board since 2001.  Her life verse is 1 John 1:7:  "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Frank Browning, Chairman of the Board

Mr. Browning is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board.  He has a daughter who graduated from MCS and his wife, Mrs. Donna Browning, works at the school as an Administrative Assistant.  Mr. and Mrs. Browning were one of the charter families for the school.  Mr. Browning has served on the board since 2000.  As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Browning also serves on all of the Board committees.  His life verse is Philippians 4:13:  " I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Loyce Elmore

Mrs. Elmore has a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Tennessee Wesleyan College.  She has a son who currently attends MCS.   Mrs. Elmore began serving on the board in 2009.  Her life verse is Philippians 3: 4-7:  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Paula Evans

Mrs. Evans has a bachelor's degree from Furman University.  She has two children who currently attend MCS and she and her husband were one of the founding praying families for the school.  Mrs. Evans currently serves on the following board committees:  the Building and Grounds committee and the Development committee which also includes the Fundraising commitee.  She has served on the board since 2006.  Her life verse is 1 Peter 4: 10-11:  "Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen."

Ed Martin

Mr. Martin has a bachelor's degree from Memphis State University.  He currently has two children attending MCS.  Mr. Martin serves on the Board as the Treasurer and is the Chairman of the Finance Committee.  He has served on the board since 2005.  His life verse is Ecclesiastes 12:13: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole (duty) of man."

Becky Milam

Mrs. Milam has a bachelor's degree from Meredith College and a master's in education from North Carolina State.  Mrs. Milam and her husband were one of the charter families for MCS.  She has two children who have graduated from MCS and she is currently serving on the board's Personnel Committee as its chair.  Mrs. Milam has served on the board since 1998.  Her life verse is Proverbs 3: 5-6:  " Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."

Ashley Nickloes

Mrs. Nickloes has a bachelor's degree in History (Modern Germany) and also a bachelor's degree in Communications/Journalism from Appalachian State University in North Carolina.  She also is a post graduate from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science Officer Training, and a graduate from the US Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training and the US Air Force Squadron Officer School.  She currently has two children attending MCS.  Mrs. Nickloes began serving on the board in 2009.  Her life verse is Luke 22:  41-43:  "And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.  Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him."  (This verse is one that she reflects on in difficult times to remind her of the insignificance of her problems compared to the sacrifice The Lord made for her soul.)

Irene Shivers

Mrs. Shivers has a bachelor's degree in Social Work from David Lipscomb and a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee.  She has a daughter who graduated from MCS and has two children who currently attend the school.  Mrs. Shivers has been serving on the board since 2005.   She currently is serving on the Admissions Committe for the board.  Her life verse is Deuteronomy 31: 8:  " The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you;  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Randy Shults