Valley Christian chooses leader

Valley Christian School has introduced Derick Tabish as its head administrator, a job he has held temporarily since a staff shake-up stemming from excessive student discipline.

Two key attributes attracted the school board to Tabish, said chairman Larry Eggleston on Monday – passion and an ability to partner with families.

“One is his passion for Christian education, and with that passion is just a vision to see the school prosper and grow – and not necessarily by number of students, but to touch and impact kids and families,” Eggleston said.

Tabish said he was led by God to apply for the job, which he didn’t do until spring after serving a school year as interim administrator.

“It was always an open question. My response was really to see what God had for me this year, if God called on me,” he said.

The appointee’s year as interim administrator has been a calm one, defined by stabilizing enrollment and a clearing of distractions related to the departure of former administrator Wes Evans and teacher Steve Altmeyer.

Altmeyer was accused by parents of being abusive in his physical and emotional discipline of boys during the 1999-2000 school year. Last month, state education officials upheld a decision to suspend the coach’s teaching license for 30 months.

Evans, on the other hand, did nothing wrong, state officials concluded, though that decision came after Valley Christian chose not to renew his contract.

Fallout from the discipline matter came on the heels of an economic downturn that made elementary and secondary tuition of $5,100 and$5,900, respectively, out of reach for some families.

Enrollment dropped from 500 seven years ago to 260 this school year, which will begin Tuesday. However, the decline appears to be in the 32-year-old school’s past.

“We seem to be stabilizing,” Eggleston said. “We’re looking for more growth.”

Tabish has nearly 20 years’ experience as a Christian educator. He was Valley Christian Elementary School principal for 10 years, spending three years at the school as a teacher before that.

Prior to working at Valley Christian, Tabish, 41, taught at a Christian school in California. Originally from Missoula, he relocated to Spokane to be closer to family.

Tabish and his wife, Lucinda, have three children enrolled at Valley Christian.

The school also has announced that elementary school teacher Debbie Heden will be vice principal of Valley Christian Elementary School. Its classes are held at the Assembly of God church at 15618 E. Broadway Ave.

Tabish will serve as principal of both the elementary school and high school, which is located in the old University High School, 10212 E. Ninth Ave.