St. Mary’s School Board Minutes

March 15, 2006

 

Guests:  Jane Reiman, Valerie Wecker, Ryan Sidwell, Jamie Sidwell, Candy Conradt, Forrest Peetz

 

Janet Fletcher called the meeting to order with an opening prayer.  Absent from the meeting was Mel Ohri, and all other Board Members were present, including Janet Fletcher, Lawrence Reiman, Merri Schneider, John Boyle, Gene Soukup, Luann Shields, Hugh Shoemaker, and Sharon Spencer, along with Father Nigli and Alice Marx.

 

Guests were recognized and invited to speak.   Mr. Ryan Sidwell presented the board with a letter of resignation, as he has taken a teaching position with another school.  Janet expressed our deep regret that he will be leaving, as he has been an exceptional teacher.

 

Gene Soukup made a motion to approve the agenda after addition of a few items under New Business,  2nd by John Boyle.  Vote: All in favor, none opposed.

 

LuAnn Shields made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2006 meeting, 2nd by Lawrence Reiman.  Vote:  All in favor, none opposed.

 

Pastor’s Report: 

 

·      Father Nigli mentioned a note from the Chancellors office--Father Taphorn, regarding a form which needs completed regarding school security.  Father will complete this form and submit.

·      Spoke with Sister Michelle regarding the annual visit from the Archdiocese, this evaluation has been postponed until the fall of 2006.

·      The Archdiocese has approved a new policy, effective August 2006, which states that there shall be no activities going on in the school/parish buildings before noon on Sundays.  There will be an exception for those activities which have had a history of beginning before noon (e.g., Sweetheart Dinner, Altar Society Dinner), which are non-sports related.

·      O’Neill Public School has extended an invitation to St. Mary’s to attend a W.A.I.T. (Why Am I Tempted) Session  regarding abstinence and positive relationships, on April 11.  There is a session for the high school students, along with a parent session as well.

·      Next meeting would like to review and discuss the Coaches Policy, which has been revised by Scott Anderson, Activities Director.

·      Announced the salary increase of 10% for teachers.  There will be a 5% increase in the base pay, along with a 5% increase which will go towards the cost of insurance or an annuity, whichever the teacher prefers.

·      There will be no increase in tuition for the upcoming school year.  Father will, however, ask for a slight increase in tithing.

·      Father will contact the 6th grade parents to welcome them into the high school environment.

·      The Parish has received a gift of $300,000 from the estate of Nadine Coyne.

·      Father is sending a thank you note to all liturgical ministers and including a coupon for free Mulligan Stew on St. Patrick’s Day.  He will send out approximately 200 coupons, and the sponsors for the Mulligan Stew Feed will then submit the coupons that are used, for reimbursement from the parish center.

·      Other activities for St. Patrick’s Day include a float for the parade from both St. Mary’s and Religious Education group.  There will one common prayer for all masses that weekend.  On Saturday evening, there will be a special time for prayer before and after mass.

Principal’s Report:

·      Mr. Harry Knobbe donated $1,000 to St. Mary’s High School.  He has verbally shared that he would like this to go the gym renovation project.

·      We have received $1,400 from KinderMorgan grants.   $1,000 is specified for Accelerated Reading and $400 is for 4th grade book club.  Teachers will make their orders for these within the next month.

·      We received $242.08 as our share of the gate from Stuart hosting the Girls District Basketball game.

·      Upcoming events – March 19, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mulligan Stew Feed – Junior Class; March 21, NVC Instrumental Music Clinic @ Chambers; March 25, Spencer Early Bird Track.

 

Committee Reports:

 

A.                       Policy Committee:  Father Nigli has the information for the student handbook.  He plans to have this ready for review by the next meeting.

B.                        Safety Committee:  There has been no progress on this handbook.

C.                       School Finance and Development Committee:  Janet will check with Mel Ohri regarding progress.

 

Old Business:

 

A.           Minutes on the Website – After the minutes are approved at the current School Board meeting, the Board Secretary forwards them to Steve Bahrij to be posted on the school website. 

 

New Business:

 

A.           Principal Search – The committee has been formed, and training will be in place for these members, so that the interviews will take place over the next month.

B.            Teacher Contracts – Contracts have been submitted to teachers.

C.           St. Patrick’s Day Celebration -  Father Nigli has formed a committee with Valerie Wecker, Jane Reiman, Camille Ohri and Linda Schneider to plan and coordinate a Youth Rally for Friday, March 17.  A full day’s activities have been planned, and it will be attempted to keep this spontaneous for the kids.

D.           Track Meet Concessions – The elementary school teachers requested that they sell concessions during the St. Mary’s Track Invite on Thursday, April 20.  They would like to do this as a benefit for Jesse Peetz.  In order for this to be possible, the elementary would have to have no school that day.  This will not extend the number of days that school will need to be in session.  Motion by Gene Soukup, 2nd by Lawrence Reiman, to let out elementary school on April 20, allowing for this Jesse Peetz Benefit.  Proceeds to be made payable to the benefit of Jesse Peetz.

E.            Valerie Wecker – Valerie expressed thanks to the School Board for everything that they are doing at this time.  She has a few concerns regarding the preparation for the school activity for St. Patrick’s Day, asking that the communication within the various entities of the school to be improved.  She also invited the board to attend the 1:00 p.m. activity at the high school, which is the grand finale of the St. Patrick’s Day event.

 

Motion to go into Executive Session by Sharon Spencer, 2nd by Hugh Shoemaker.  Motion to come out of Executive Session by Lawrence Reiman, 2nd by Hugh Shoemaker.

 

Motion to adjourn by Hugh Shoemaker. 2nd by John Boyle.  Meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer led by LuAnn Shields.