Boards of HCS

Highland Christian Board

The purpose of the Highland Christian School Board is to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and governance in support of the school’s vision to academically equip, Biblically ground, and spiritually nurture to impact the world for Christ. The board is responsible for setting policies, ensuring financial stability, and guiding the long-term vision of the school. By partnering with administration, faculty, and the school constituency, the board works to create a nurturing and strong academic environment that reflects Christian values and prepares students for lives of faith, learning, and service.

School Improvement Plan

School Board

Holly Haitsma
2026
President

Holly and her husband, Jim, have two children. Addy is a freshman at Illiana Christian High School and Anna is in 6th Grade at Highland Christian. They attend Munster Christian Reformed Church. She is the Director of Information Technology at S&C Electric Company. She joined the board because she has a passion for Christian education and is truly thankful for the blessing HCS has been to her family. She felt called to serve in this role to further support and advance the mission and vision of HCS through thoughtful leadership and active engagement.
Holly and her husband, Jim, have two children. Addy is a freshman at Illiana Christian High School and Anna is in 6th Grade at Highland Christian. They attend Munster Christian Reformed Church. She is the Director of Information Technology at S&C Electric Company. She joined the board because she has a passion for Christian education and is truly thankful for the blessing HCS has been to her family. She felt called to serve in this role to further support and advance the mission and vision of HCS through thoughtful leadership and active engagement.

Joe Jonkman
2028
Vice President

Joe and his wife, Suzanne, have two sons. Caleb and Jared attend Highland Christian, Illiana Christian, and Trinity Christian College. They attend Oak Glen United Reformed Church. He is a Logistics Coordinator Ozinga RMC. Joe joined the board because he believes passionately in the Biblical mandate of Deuteronomy 6 - to educate and train our covenant children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. His entire family has been blessed by HCS, and he hopes to give back some of those blessings to the school during his time of service on the board.
Joe and his wife, Suzanne, have two sons. Caleb and Jared attend Highland Christian, Illiana Christian, and Trinity Christian College. They attend Oak Glen United Reformed Church. He is a Logistics Coordinator Ozinga RMC. Joe joined the board because he believes passionately in the Biblical mandate of Deuteronomy 6 - to educate and train our covenant children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. His entire family has been blessed by HCS, and he hopes to give back some of those blessings to the school during his time of service on the board.

Blake Evans
2027
Treasurer

Blake and his wife, Carmen, have three children, two of which are enrolled at Highland Christian School. Blake Evans, Jr. is in 3rd grade, Christian is in Preschool, and Westin is 10months-old. They attend Kingdom Faith Ministries. Blake is a System Vice President of Revenue Cycle for Rush University System for Health. He joined the Board as a way to give back with purpose, and he considers it a true blessing to help support the school community and care for all that God has entrusted to it.
Blake and his wife, Carmen, have three children, two of which are enrolled at Highland Christian School. Blake Evans, Jr. is in 3rd grade, Christian is in Preschool, and Westin is 10months-old. They attend Kingdom Faith Ministries. Blake is a System Vice President of Revenue Cycle for Rush University System for Health. He joined the Board as a way to give back with purpose, and he considers it a true blessing to help support the school community and care for all that God has entrusted to it.

Jerry Kuiper
2026
Secretary

Jerry and his wife, Dawn, have 2 adult children that are HCS graduates. They attend Faith Church in Cedar Lake. Jerry works in accounting and Dawn works at HCS' Sonshine Enrichment Center. Jerry joined the board to support HCS and give back to a school that has provided for his family generationally.
Jerry and his wife, Dawn, have 2 adult children that are HCS graduates. They attend Faith Church in Cedar Lake. Jerry works in accounting and Dawn works at HCS' Sonshine Enrichment Center. Jerry joined the board to support HCS and give back to a school that has provided for his family generationally.

Taylor Boice
2028
Vice Treasurer

Taylor and his wife, Janna, have been married for 10 years and have three children. Quinn is in 2nd grade at HCS, Ryne is in PreK-4, and Rhys is not in school yet. They attend Munster Christian Reformed Church. Taylor is a Partner and Financial Planner at +1 Group. He says his family is blessed to be a part of the HCS community. He joined the board to help ensure that future generations have access to the same quality, Christian education my kids experience at HCS.
Taylor and his wife, Janna, have been married for 10 years and have three children. Quinn is in 2nd grade at HCS, Ryne is in PreK-4, and Rhys is not in school yet. They attend Munster Christian Reformed Church. Taylor is a Partner and Financial Planner at +1 Group. He says his family is blessed to be a part of the HCS community. He joined the board to help ensure that future generations have access to the same quality, Christian education my kids experience at HCS.

Darla Kinkade
2026

Darla and her husband, Kinkade, have 3 kids. Their son, Chris, attends Purdue, and their daughters, Addison and Taylor, attend Illiana Christian High School. All three children graduated from Highland Christian. Darla also graduated from Highland Christian, as did her dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Her family attends Faith Church in Highland. Darla is an Account Executive at an Insurance Brokerage in Chicago. She joined the board in 2023.
Darla and her husband, Kinkade, have 3 kids. Their son, Chris, attends Purdue, and their daughters, Addison and Taylor, attend Illiana Christian High School. All three children graduated from Highland Christian. Darla also graduated from Highland Christian, as did her dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Her family attends Faith Church in Highland. Darla is an Account Executive at an Insurance Brokerage in Chicago. She joined the board in 2023.

Howard Ridder
2026

Howie and his wife, Olivia, have three children at Highland Christian. Grace is in 7th Grade, Jaclyn is in 1st grade, and Natalie is in Preschool. They attend Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing. He is a General Foreman at Block Electric. He joined the school board to be more involved in his kids education. He feels it is a good way to really understand the school and how it runs. And to be a part of helping keep Christian education in Highland.
Howie and his wife, Olivia, have three children at Highland Christian. Grace is in 7th Grade, Jaclyn is in 1st grade, and Natalie is in Preschool. They attend Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing. He is a General Foreman at Block Electric. He joined the school board to be more involved in his kids education. He feels it is a good way to really understand the school and how it runs. And to be a part of helping keep Christian education in Highland.

Carrie Hutton Latsoudis
2027

Carrie and her husband, Jim, have two children at Highland Christian. James is in 1st grade and Thomas is in Preschool. They attend Munster Christian Reformed Church. Carrie is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Calumet College of St. Joseph, and the Executive Director at CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC. She joined the board at Highland Christian School because she deeply appreciates how truly special this community is. She is incredibly thankful for, and humbled by, the opportunity to serve and support HCS in this way.
Carrie and her husband, Jim, have two children at Highland Christian. James is in 1st grade and Thomas is in Preschool. They attend Munster Christian Reformed Church. Carrie is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Calumet College of St. Joseph, and the Executive Director at CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC. She joined the board at Highland Christian School because she deeply appreciates how truly special this community is. She is incredibly thankful for, and humbled by, the opportunity to serve and support HCS in this way.

George van Laten
2027

George and his wife, Heather, have been married for 24 years. They have four children: Max, a sophomore at Illiana, Avery, a senior at Illiana, Jackson, a sophomore at Purdue Lafayette, and Camille, a senior at Indiana University. They attend Community United Reformed Church. George is the President of VL Construction, a commercial carpentry contracting company. He joined the board he believes this is what God has called him to do in this season of his life.
George and his wife, Heather, have been married for 24 years. They have four children: Max, a sophomore at Illiana, Avery, a senior at Illiana, Jackson, a sophomore at Purdue Lafayette, and Camille, a senior at Indiana University. They attend Community United Reformed Church. George is the President of VL Construction, a commercial carpentry contracting company. He joined the board he believes this is what God has called him to do in this season of his life.

John VanderPol
2028

John and his wife, Larissa, have three children. Their eldest, Kinley, is a sophomore at Illiana Christian High School. Their boys, Paxton and Emmett, are students at HCS in 4th and 7th grade respectively. They attend Faith Church in Highland. John is a Software Engineer. He joined the board because he loves the HCS community, students, and staff and wants to serve God and these groups in any way he can.
John and his wife, Larissa, have three children. Their eldest, Kinley, is a sophomore at Illiana Christian High School. Their boys, Paxton and Emmett, are students at HCS in 4th and 7th grade respectively. They attend Faith Church in Highland. John is a Software Engineer. He joined the board because he loves the HCS community, students, and staff and wants to serve God and these groups in any way he can.

Committees

Highland Christian School is supported by a variety of committees, each established to advance its mission, vision, and operational goals. Some committees are constitutionally mandated and operate under the governance and sanction of the board (these are indicated with a * below). Others have been formally approved by the board and include active participation from members of our Society.

* Executive Committee

The Executive Committee serves as a vital leadership group that helps guide the board's decision-making and ensures alignment with the school’s mission and strategic objectives. Made up of specific board members (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer), the committee evaluates the school administrator, addresses urgent issues between full board meetings, and other strategic matters. 

Members: Haitsma (chair), Jonkman, Evans, and Kuiper

* Education Committee

The Education Committee works to oversee and support the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs and policies aligned with Highland Christian’s mission. It ensures academic quality, monitors student outcomes, and advises the board on strategic educational initiatives.

Members: Hutton-Latsoudis (chair), Haitsma, Jonkman, Kuiper, VanderPol (Harvey, Julian, Ritzema, Weener - non-voting)

* Finance Committee

The Finance Committee works in conjunction with the Business Manager and Head of School to oversee the financial and budget planning process, establish financial goals and policies, maintain and review financial records, and ensure proper financial internal controls are maintained.

Members: Evans (chair), Boice, Haitsma, Kinkade (Huitsing, Weener - non-voting)

* Building & Grounds/Transportation Committee

The Building & Grounds and Transportation Committee focuses on fiscal planning and oversight related to facilities and transportation, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and responsibly. It supports the Director of Facilities and the Director of Transportation by reviewing plans, budgets, and projects to align with the organization's operational needs and long-term goals.

Members: Ridder (chair), Jonkman, Van Laten (Herrell, Price, Ritzema - non-voting)

Advancement Committee

The Advancement Committee is responsible for guiding strategies related to student recruitment, enrollment, and institutional growth through fundraising, marketing, and community engagement. It ensures that admissions practices align with the organization’s mission and that advancement efforts support long-term sustainability and development.

Members: Hutton-Latsoudis (chair), Laning (Harvey, Hibbler, Lineburg, Weener - non-voting)

SPICE

The SPICE Board is separate from Highland Christian, but exists to provide income to the Highland Christian School Foundation. Currently, the primary activity is operating ETC, A Resale Shop out of Schererville. The SPICE board has the capacity to lead other initiatives to advance fund development for the HCS Foundation. 

Members: Dave Sherwood (President), Randy DeVries, Judy Zandstra, Taylor Boyce, Holly Haitsma, Joyce Groen

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee is composed of Board members and members of the constituency that have extensive board and community involvement. The governance committee serves to assist the board in assigned tasks. Some activities they support the board with relate to policy development, providing historical information, and recommending board nominees. 

Members: Deanne VanRosendale (chair), Keith Bruuxvort, Blake Evans, Holly Haitsma

School Improvement Team

The School Improvement Team is largely a committee of staff members that focus on strategic oversight and planning to support school-wide academic and operational goals. It collaborates closely with staff and leadership, providing guidance and resources to help implement improvement plans and align them with the organization's mission and budget priorities. One board member is a part of this committee and reports directly to the school board. 

Members: Andrea Harvey (chair), Nancy Oostman, Sara Jabaay, Vicki Huizenga, Melissa Brouwer, Kyle Weener, Carrie Hutton-Latsoudis

Board Nomination Form

When considering board nominations, the board considers a wide variety of sources. This includes nominations from board members, recommendations from the Governance Committee, and community feedback. Throughout the year, members of the Society are able to submit names for potential board consideration. Eligible society members have the opportunity to submit potential names by the third Monday in November. Prior to submitting a name for consideration, please ensure the nominee aligns with the qualities outlined in the Profile of a Board Member.

Nomination Form

Board Meeting Dates & Society Agenda

Board Meeting Dates

July 21, 2026
August 18, 2026
September 15, 2026
October 20, 2026
November 17, 2026
December 15, 2026
January 19, 2027
February 16, 2027
March 16, 2027
April 20, 2027
May 18, 2027
June 15, 2027

Society Membership

Members of our community can vote provided:

  1.  They are professing believers in Jesus Christ and active members in good standing of a local Bible-believing Protestant church.
  2. They are in agreement with Highland Christian School’s Statement of Foundational Beliefs and have affirmed this in writing.
  3. They have made an annual contribution to any fund of the Association for Christian Instruction (d/b/a Highland Christian School) in the preceding year, from a date sixty (60) days prior to each annual meeting.

Tuition payments are considered a contribution for this purpose.

 

Board Photos-7

Foundation Board 2025-26

Jim Bandstra, Brandon Boomsma, Ryan Davids, Eric DeVries, Stephanie Evanson, Nate Laning, Jason Smit

*The Foundation Board oversees the Foundation Fund and activities, investments, and decisions related to the growth of this fund in cooperation with the School Board.

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