Staff and Teachers Not Returning for 2026-27 School Year

{NEW} In an effort to provide clarity for families regarding staff members who do not intend to return next year, some individuals have given WeAreLCS permission to publicly share their names. Additional names may be shared in the future if and when individuals choose to do so.

Staff member, position and years employed at LCS.

  • Josh Call - MS Science Teacher, 21 years

  • Jacky Chadwick - HS and AP English Teacher, 7 years

  • Rachelle Crawford, RN, BSN - School Nurse, 6 years

  • Mary Dinolfo - Elementary ESS/Chapel Coordinator, 6 years

  • Sheila Dykstra - Director of Educational Support Services, 36 years

  • Katie Emery - HS Art, 19 years

  • Kristin Foster - Preschool Aide, 1 year

  • Joshua Greve - MS/HS Spanish Teacher, 4 years

  • Anne Hopkins - ESS

  • Betsy Jackson - 1st Grade Teacher, 24 years

  • Nicole Hayhurst - Preschool Teacher, 5 years

  • Kelly Joos - HS and AP Science Teacher, 19 years

  • Courtney Kephart - MS/HS Administrative Assistant, 13 years

  • Melissa Kranzo - HS English, 5 years

  • Dr. Nel LeCorn - HS and AP Science, 11 years

  • Tammy Maki - 3rd Grade Teacher, 5 years

  • Chris Mustaine - Elementary/HS PE, 7 years

  • Sara Mustapha - College and Career Counselor, 4 years

  • Satara Nadarajan - MS/HS Band and Choir, 5 years

  • Jess Okkerse, LMSW - Social Worker, 4 years

  • Becky Pelle - Preschool Teacher, 15 years

  • Mandy Reese - MS English Teacher, 7 years

  • Becky Rodriguez - 5th Grade Teacher, 6 years

  • Freddy Shoffstall - MS/HS/AP Spanish & HS Bible Teacher, 10 years 

  • Sara Vaughan - 1st Grade Teacher, 11 years

  • Starr Velasquez - Preschool-6th Spanish, 20 years

  • Marvin Williams, Jr. - HS Bible & Chapel Leadership

  • Melanie Wyman - Preschool Aide, 4 years

  • Bronti Ziolkowski - 5th Grade Teacher, 4 years

  • Anonymous*

  • Anonymous*

  • Anonymous*

  • Anonymous*

*Indicates permission has not been given to publish.

  • Luke Sasser- PE Teacher, 5 years

    11 Non-Renewed Staff and Teachers:

  • Ryan Batson- Middle & High School Principal, 4 years

  • Justin Bolt- Elementary Principal

  • Dr. Jamie Wernet- Director of Curriculum, 16 years

  • Cathy Bytwerk- Middle School Administration

  • Mary Dunsmore- Director of Business & Finance, Human Resources

  • Crystal Gabrielse- Finance Support

  • Peter O’Neill- Music Teacher, 15 years

  • Heidi O’Neill- Librarian and Elementary STEM teacher

  • Jason Lohman- Middle School Teacher, 10 years

  • Cindy Thomas- Middle School Teacher, 4 years

  • Omar Bjarki- High School Teacher, 27 years

“May 13, 2026

To the LCS Association,

Thank you for your overwhelming show of support at Monday’s Association meeting and in the recent Board election. It is clear that a majority of the LCS community wants to retain its teachers and see healing and stability restored within the school. We deeply desire that as well.

We were encouraged by the election of Jason, Amanda, and Courtney, and grateful for the many parents, alumni, grandparents, students, and community members who advocated for teacher-supportive candidates during this difficult season.

While new Board members have now been elected, they will not officially take office until July. We have seen no signs from the Board that the newly elected members will be given a voice in the immediate decisions currently impacting staff retention and school stability.

In our staff meeting on April 15, Dr. Zajicek referenced the upcoming Board election and stated that he submits to the authority of the Association. However, despite the clear outcome of the election and the concerns repeatedly expressed by the broader LCS community, there has been no evidence that leadership is changing course.

Families continue to reach out to us individually to ask about our plans for next year. It has been a difficult question to answer as many of us have continued to hold hope for meaningful change. Our desire has always been to keep the Association informed while also minimizing additional disruption and distraction within the classroom so that students can remain the focus during these final weeks of school.

We want to make sure you understand the urgency of the current situation. If leadership remains unchanged, many teachers and staff will not be turning in their contracts on Friday. We have given permission to the WeAreLCS website to update the Association regarding those numbers.

We continue to believe that, in order to restore a healthy and stable school environment for next year, Dr. Jeremy Zajicek and Board President Chad Myers need to resign. At this time, there has been no indication that either intends to do so.

Thank you again for your continued prayers, encouragement, advocacy, and support for the teachers and students of LCS.

The Concerned Faculty and Staff of LCS”