St. Mary’s School Board Minutes
Guests: Mike Zakrzewski
Vice President Gene Soukup
called the meeting to order, and Father Nigli began with an opening
prayer. Board Members present included
Lawrence Reiman, Merri Schneider, John Boyle, Gene Soukup, Luann Shields and Sharon
Spencer, Melvin Ohri and Dian Edwards along with Norm Hale, Father Nigli and
Alice Marx. Board member absent was
Janet Fletcher, who arrived later during the meeting.
Mike Zakrzewski, President of
the St. Mary’s Booster Club was the only guest at the meeting and invited to
speak on behalf of the booster club. He
inquired as to where does the School Board stand in regards to an Athletic
Banquet. Norm Hale added that there have
been several requests to have separate nights for honoring both Athletics and
Academics. The booster club would like
to sponsor a formal Athletic Banquet, to be catered, and allow sufficient time
to honor the athletic achievements of the students. After much discussion, it was determined that
the formal banquet would honor athletics and activities, and then another
honors night would be held for academic achievements. A suggestion was made to have the academics
honors held in conjunction with a mass and breakfast. Norm Hale and Father Nigli will meet during
the next week to finalize dates, and will notify Mike Zakrzewski, who will
contact a potential speaker.
Lawrence Reiman made a motion
to approve the agenda after additions, and Melvin Ohri seconded the
motion. Vote: All in favor, none opposed.
After review of the minutes
of the
Pastor’s Report:
·
Father Nigli
reported that he really appreciates the number of parents that attended the
recent Children’s Day mass, and for all the masses. He stated that it is wonderful to see such
participation by the families, and would like us to welcome everyone to all of
the school masses, as they are very special.
·
The Parish
Council/Finance Council/ Stewardship & Development Committee all met in a
meeting to discuss the parish improvement project. The vote carried with 11 in favor and 1 “no
vote” to approve the entire school project and to make designated changes to
the interior of the church. Father will
be speaking of this decision at each of the masses. There is already $400,000 verbally pledged
towards this project. With the
improvements to the school buildings and academics, it is believed that there
will be additional growth in the student population, which will bring with it
increased tuition and tithing.
Principal’s Report:
I.
Academic Report (Spanish Grading) – Mr. Hale gave
an update on the Spanish classes. After
visiting with Neah Galloway, the Spanish teacher, they feel that the Spanish II
students will leave St. Mary’s with very strong Spanish I abilities (this is
due to the less than successful Spanish CD-rom program used last year). The Spanish I students will be very strong,
as they will receive two years of strong Spanish skills before graduation. Mr. Hale also reported that Neah Galloway is
an excellent teacher.
II.
School Climate –Students
feel good and felt safe in the aftermath of the threat of school violence last
in the previous weeks. Mr. Hale believes
that things were handled well by the students and the staff during the
lockdown. Upon review of the events of
the lockdown situation, staff uncovered some security areas that will need to
be improved upon.
III.
Security
Improvements – There is a need to develop a better way to inform families of a
situation besides broadcasting on the radio.
Perhaps cell phone/e-mail blasts would be sufficient. Also, looking into the possibility of having
a private phone number to keep available for emergency calls only. John Boyle will provide a company name to Norm
to research. Mr. Hale is also looking to
develop a plan to allow teachers to have an email system to keep up to date as
well.
IV.
North Central
Accreditation – Mr. Hale may put an external team (including School Board
members) together in order to develop a plan for assessments. They will be reviewing student achievements
over the past five years. This will
probably take place during the first week of December.
V.
Supporting
Capitol Improvement Endeavors – People are very fired up and excited about the
school improvements, and they want to know more. We must also improve our programs in order to
have substantial offerings to broadcast.
Even if everyone is not in agreement, we still need to have strong
support for decisions that are made.
VI.
Accountability
for Budgets – In regards to Parish accounts, such as the Home & School and
the Booster Club, since these groups are using the parish ID #, the accounts
must have some type of plan/roles for the use of the funds. This helps with the budgeting process. Mr. Hale discussed this at the Home &
School meeting last month, and believes that this group understands the concept. He will also talk with the Booster Club at
their next meeting.
VII.
Graduation – A
Senior that stated that she was representing the class requested that they
would like to move graduation out of the church and into the gym. Mr. Hale invited discussion on this
matter. Some of the concerns were
visibility and seating in the church, and others were concerned with breaking
of tradition and the loss of the special graduation ceremony held in the
church. After much discussion, Gene
Soukup made a motion to leave the graduation in church, seconded by Sharon
Spencer. Vote: 6 in favor, 3 neutral, motion carried.
VIII.
Graduation gowns
– Discussion was also held concerning the graduation gowns, and whether the
school should purchase gowns for the students to wear year after year, or let
the seniors choose colors and order new each year. At this time it was decided to allow the
senior class to continue to choose their own gowns. This year the class colors are pink and
black.
IX.
Senior Trip – The
seniors would like to go on a ski trip for their Senior Trip. After discussion, Luann Shields made a motion
to approve a ski trip, with the class riding in a motorcoach, or as a last
resort, taking suburbans with sponsors driving.
This motion was seconded by Gene Soukup.
All in favor, none opposed.
X.
Change in
Parent/Teacher Conferences – Due to the possible round one State Football
playoff game on Wednesday, Mr. Hale requested the
Parent/Teachers conferences be moved to Thursday from
Policy Revisions:
Janet Fletcher asked for
further discussion regarding the Student Policy 6000, which she had emailed to
Board Members for their review earlier in the month. Motion by Dian Edwards to approve, seconded
by Melvin Ohri. Vote: None opposed.
New Business:
·
Torpin’s Rodeo
Market recently contacted Norm Hale to offer a $3,500 donation to the school,
with the money to go towards purchasing two new computers and a writing
program.
With no further business and
no need to go into Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned with a motion
by Gene Soukup, and a closing prayer led by Father Nigli.