A Vision for Transforming Adventist Education: Announcing a New Model School System
The Southwest Region Conference (SWRC) and the Bainum Family Foundation are excited to announce a collaborative effort to develop a new model school system aimed at strengthening Adventist education across the Southwest Region. This initiative builds on a shared commitment to improving educational quality, enhancing operational sustainability, and expanding opportunities for students and educators.
Partnering for a Shared Vision
The partnership brings together the SWRC’s visionary leadership and spirit of innovation and the Bainum Family Foundation’s longstanding commitment to Adventist education.
Under the terms of this partnership, the new model school system will operate with an independent Board of Directors (yet to be named), tasked with overseeing governance, centralizing operational functions, and ensuring long-term educational sustainability. Together, SWRC leadership and the Bainum Family Foundation will lead the initial implementation phase with plans to transition management to the newly established governance body in the coming years.
Long-Term Goals for Educational Excellence
The new system is designed to address longstanding challenges that impact Adventist schools, including financial constraints, administrative burdens, and educator recruitment and retention. By restructuring the way schools are managed, this initiative aims to:
- Prioritize the support, well-being, and development of educators to position the SWRC as an employer of choice.
- Centralize operations to drive efficiency and sustainability.
- Build a robust pipeline of visionary school leaders.
- Create environments that nurture student agency and resilience.
- Establish strong community partnerships to amplify local impact.
“We are proud to embark on this journey with the SWRC in hopes of encouraging innovation and visionary leadership across Adventist schools,” said David Daniels, CEO of the Bainum Family Foundation. “This initiative represents our shared commitment to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for a life of purpose and impact.”
A New Era of Adventist Education
The Southwest Region Conference oversees eight K-8 schools across its five-state territory of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The Conference’s leadership is committed to innovating Adventist education within its territory and is excited to enter this new initiative.
“Our children are our most important resource,” shares SWRC President Dr. Carlton Byrd. “We need to invest in our children in a way that clearly indicates to them that we care about and need them. We owe them a school system that is equipping them to be the future leaders of our communities rooted in a Christ-centered education today, while preparing them for eternity tomorrow. This partnership is an opportunity for our Conference to set a new expectation of what Adventist education can really be.”
Looking Ahead
Implementation is already underway. By summer 2026, the Board of Directors and leadership team will be fully established, and the new model system is set to launch in fall 2026.
This collaboration represents a bold step forward in ensuring the long-term success of Adventist education. By bringing together the expertise of the Southwest Region Conference and the Bainum Family Foundation, this initiative lays the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable, and more impactful school system.