Over 140 parents, faculty, and staff gathered on May 15 in the ACS gym for the Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Christian School Association, listening to reports on this year’s academic and financial progress, electing five members to the Board of Directors, and honoring five individuals and one local business with the Servant’s Heart Award.

By far, the most impactful report came from Business Administrator Kelly Flynn and Board Treasurer Chris Loeb, who announced that the school’s mortgage had been paid off, prompting an enthusiastic, standing ovation and cheers from the audience. ACS had secured a $4 million mortgage in 2004 to build the school’s two-story, 65,000-square-foot educational building. Now, 19 years later, that mortgage had been paid off, with the final payment of $1,400,028 made on April 25.

Loeb also noted that retiring the mortgage frees up $120,000 a year that would be used to increase salaries for faculty and staff, prompting another round of applause.

Board Chair Les Tomlinson opened the Annual Meeting with a short devotion and then those in attendance broke into small groups for a time of prayer.  Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen touched on highlights from the past school year, referencing a 2022-2023 State of the School Report that was provided as a hand-out to those in attendance.

“This was our hardest year because of the tremendous growth we’ve experienced in enrollment, staffing, and other areas, but it was also the best year,” Oblen said. “When you are stretched, God shows up.” The significant growth has occurred over a period of six years.  In 2017, ACS had some 470 students enrolled, a $3 million budget, and close to 80 employees. In this school year, enrollment topped 700 students, the budget grew to $5.5 million, and nearly 120 employees were on staff.

Jim Gibbs, chair of the Board’s Nominating Committee, announced that nine candidates were in the running for five positions on the Board. The nominees, whom Gibbs described as excellent candidates who clearly loved the Lord and the school — were Damien Correa, Holly Dawkins, Heather Goodwin, Kris Jacoby, Chris Loeb, Jeff Montemurro, Doug Pearson, Ray Schlundt, and Deb Tormey. Each nominee came forward to give remarks before the Association members participated in the election.

The newly-elected members to the Board of Directors, who will serve 3-year terms on the 12-member Board that oversees the governance and policies of the school, are: Damien Correa, Kris Jacoby, Chris Loeb, Doug Pearson, and Ray Schlundt. Their official term of service will begin on July 1.

Board member Chaz Wyckoff then announced the recipients of the school’s annual Servant’s Heart Award — Lee Martin, Jennifer DiMaio, Kris Jacoby, Rudy and Angela Lushina, and Copiers Plus.

Martin, who was unable to attend the meeting, is a school parent, alumni parent, and former staff member. He is currently the Director of Communications at the Ocean City Tabernacle, but he has continued to serve at ACS as the Technical Director of several ACS musicals and has been the driving force in achieving major upgrades to the school’s sound and lighting systems. DiMaio, also an ACS parent, has been the volunteer advisor of the after-school Elementary Servant’s Heart Club since 2015. She planned and implemented over 80 service projects, impacting the lives of hundreds of ACS students and helping them develop a servant’s heart.

Jacoby is an alumni parent who began serving at ACS in 2004 when she enrolled her sons, Andrew and Joshua. She volunteered as a room parent and with the Parent-Teacher Fellowship and served for 9 years on the Board of Directors. ACS parents Rudy and Angela Lushina have been dedicated volunteers since joining the ACS family in 2011. They have served as chaperones at school dances, helped out at Missions Club fundraisers, served at the Back-to-School BBQ, and at other school events and fundraisers, and are generous school donors.

The final award recipient, Copiers Plus, with offices in Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City, has been providing copiers to ACS since 1994, and has also helped meet some of the school’s printing and signage needs, consistently offering excellent pricing and customer service. Copiers Plus owner Bob Matthews accepted the award, accompanied by his senior account manager, Dan Celluci, who has been the school’s account rep from the beginning.

In the final order of business, three Association members who are school parents were nominated to serve on the Board’s Nominating Committee representing the Association next year — Tommy Barbour, Jennifer DiMaio, and Jason Kiefer. Association members will be receiving an electronic ballot to vote for these nominees.

In closing remarks, Board Chair Tomlinson praised God for His provision that enabled the school to pay off the mortgage. “The mortgage was a mountain and God got us over that mountain,” Tomlinson said. “It was exciting to see that when we focus on Jesus, the impossible can happen.” Tomlinson closed the meeting in prayer.