January is National School Board Recognition Month. Lake Center Christian School is thankful for the dedication, leadership, and service of the LCCS School Board members. Our board members dedicate their time and talents to glorify God and serve our students, families, teachers, and staff. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to advancing the mission of Lake Center and shaping the next generation of Christ followers.

Get to Know Our Board Members:

Mark Shelly, Chair

Mr. Mark Shelly is a dedicated member of the LCCS community, serving on the board and also supporting the school through the Athletic Sports Boosters. His wife, Amy, is a first-grade teaching assistant, and their children are actively involved in the school, with one in elementary, one in middle school, and one in senior high. Amy is also an LCCS alumna, which deepens their love and appreciation for the school.

Mark brings valuable experience and professionalism to the board. He has a genuine passion for supporting the school’s teachers, staff, and students. He is committed to fostering an environment where students and educators have the resources and opportunities to succeed.

Greg Warder, Vice Chair

Mr. Greg Warder and his wife, Janice, have been blessed by the LCCS community. They have three children—Rachel, Lauren, and Matt, who graduated from LCCS in 2024. Greg grew up in Lake Township and attended Lake High School, where his daughters also went. When Matt was in 8th grade, he toured Lake Center and loved it so much that he asked if he could attend high school. 

“What a great experience it turned out to be!” Greg said. 

 “I was not looking to serve on the board, but when asked to consider it, I was honored to say yes,” he said. “This board has a unique blend of leaders and administrators who are completely sold out for advancing Christ and His Kingdom. Working with this Lake Center board has been such a blessing.”

What Greg loves most about Lake Center is its rich history and the deep commitment of its community. “I am blown away by Lake Center’s stories of sacrifice by so many. Its families and students represent over 150 churches, all coming together to glorify Christ daily in everything we do at Lake Center. Its teachers and coaches are exceptional, as I have seen them pour into the lives of our students,” he said.

Sarah Byler, Treasurer

Mrs. Sarah Byler is currently serving in her sixth year as Board Treasurer and is a member of the Finance Committee. 

Her husband and all three of his siblings attended LCCS through 8th grade, and their daughters, Sophia (9th) and Sadie (5th) have attended LCCS since kindergarten. Their family is also connected to one of the founding churches that helped establish the school.

 “I attended private Christian schools K through 12 as a child. My mom taught most of her career at a private Christian school, and my father was a minister his entire career. Christian education and church have always been central to my life,” she explained. 

When asked to serve on the school board, she felt a deep calling to take on the role. “Based on my life experiences, I truly felt called to do it. It has been an honor and privilege to serve in this capacity and help position the school to be successful for present and future years to come.”

For Sarah, what makes Lake Center special is the people—both staff and students. “We have an amazing faculty and staff. They truly love the students and want to serve them well,” she said. “My girls have made wonderful friends, and I love knowing that my work on the school board directly impacts each and every one of them. I do it for them.”

Additionally, she expressed how the school has blessed her with lifelong friendships. “That has been the most unexpected blessing—making lifelong friendships with families I would have never crossed paths with otherwise. That has been the best gift of all.”

Carrie Kane, Secretary

Mrs. Carrie Kane attended Lake Center from kindergarten through eighth grade before it had a high school. She and her four siblings attended the school; now, all five of her children are students at LCCS. She is also grateful that eight of her nieces and nephews are Lake Center students.

“I love this school, and I’m so thankful for the countless ways it has blessed our family,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the incredible staff, faculty, and families who make this school a special place.”

 She continued, “Our faculty and staff’s love, compassion, and servant hearts inspired me to serve on the board. Our current board members care deeply for our school, and it’s an honor to serve alongside them.”

Stacey Baker

Mrs. Stacey Baker and her family have been a part of the LCCS community for eight years, with six boys ranging from 1st up to 11th grade: Ari, Ezra, Elias, Oliver, Lachlan, and Macauley. She and her husband, Aaron, lead the monthly prayer gatherings, believing “prayer is the gateway to everything.” The Baker family is always eager to help wherever needed, whether it’s running the auction, coaching sports teams, or volunteering in the concession stand. Mrs. Baker is passionate about seeing LCCS fulfill its God-given purpose.

“My heart is for Lake Center to fulfill its destiny of all that the Lord has in store, and I love that Lake Center is a community that loves Jesus, trying to exemplify Him more and more each day,” she said.

John Diller

Mr. John Diller has a long connection to Lake Center Christian School.

 “My parents believed that Lake Center served as an arm of the local Christian churches by reinforcing the spiritual formation of children through integrating scripture into classroom teaching,” he shared. This philosophy of integrating faith with education resonated with him, and he continued the tradition when he had his children.

His family’s involvement with Lake Center spans generations. “My family has been involved with Lake Center since its beginning,” he explained. “My mother’s youngest brother, John Bender, attended Lake Center in one of the first years the school was open.” 

After moving away from the Hartville area, his family returned in 1969, and John attended Lake Center for 7th and 8th grade. Later, when his children were ready for school, he also enrolled them in Lake Center. “My three children—Joel, Allison, and Annie—attended Lake Center, with Annie being the first to participate in the LCCS High School when it became available.”

 “Now my grandchildren are attending Lake Center,” he said, which inspired him to serve on the school board. He sees his involvement as ensuring the school continues thriving for future generations. 

“I love Lake Center; I am familiar with Lake Center, and when I was asked to consider a board position, I accepted because I would like to see Lake Center around for another 75 years.”

 “It is a great honor to serve on the board with other men and women who love Lake Center, who love Jesus, and want to see children grow with a Christ-focused worldview,” he said. 

For him, Lake Center’s uniqueness lies in its people, particularly the teachers. “The faculty and staff make Lake Center great—no question,” he stated. “The energy, love, care, and professionalism in the classroom make Lake Center a special place.”

Jeff Hershberger

Having attended LCCS from Kindergarten through 8th grade, Mr. Jeff Hershberger is deeply passionate about preserving the same Christ-centered environment that profoundly impacted his faith journey. His connection to LCCS runs through multiple generations, with his sisters and most cousins also attending the school. In fact, during the school’s 50th anniversary year in 1997, there was at least one Hershberger in each grade from 1st to 8th, he recalls.

Mr. Hershberger’s father and four siblings also attended LCCS from 1st to 8th grade, and his grandfather played a pivotal role in the school’s early years, serving on the board and helping build the school on Woodmont. His parents were also active in the school, with his father contributing to the construction of the Kaufman Center and the original school building on Kaufman.

Reflecting on his time at LCCS, Mr. Hershberger shares, “LCCS not only gave me a good education in my early years, but it was also an important part of my faith journey. Memorizing scripture, including the Sermon on the Mount, and attending chapel and Bible class with Mr. Knori are some things I remember most. Now, as a parent, I love that my children can be immersed in such a great Christ-focused school environment where they can grow both academically and spiritually. I am continually blown away by our teachers and staff’s love for this school and our students.” 

Mr. Hershberger has two children at LCCS—Jenson in 4th grade and Evelyn in 2nd—and his youngest son, Aiden, will begin kindergarten next year.

Dan Pittman

Lake Center is grateful for the wealth of business knowledge and the deep commitment to Christian education Mr. Dan Pittman brings to the board. His love for LCCS and genuine care for the teachers and staff are evident in everything he does. His wife, Krista, serves as a second-grade classroom assistant, demonstrating the family’s dedication to the school. Though he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, Dan is a humble leader whose heart for our students shines through in every thoughtful decision.

Dan and Krista are now proud grandparents. Their daughters, Katie (Kathryn) (Class of 2015) and Anna (Class of 2019), both attended kindergarten through 12th grade and graduated from LCCS. They went on to attend and graduate from Liberty University.

Scott Sommers

Mr. Scott Sommers attended Lake Center when it was located on Woodmont Street and with all five of his younger siblings following in his footsteps. Reflecting on his connection to the school, he shares, “I want to honor all those who have served before me by helping perpetuate LCCS for more generations of students.” 

Scott’s connection to LCCS spans multiple generations, beginning with his grandparents, Howard and Sarah Miller, and his parents, Vernon and Carol Sommers, all of whom were very supportive and involved in the school. Scott’s daughter and son are LCCS graduates, and he remains committed to ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the same Christ-centered education that had such a lasting impact on his family.

He said, “LCCS is special because of the people who serve there—specifically, the teachers and staff who pour into our students.”