St. Mary’s School Board Minutes
Guests: None
Board President, Gene Soukup called the meeting to order. Jill Everitt gave
the opening prayer. Board members
present included: Gene Soukup, Merri Schneider, Sharon
Spencer, Jill Everitt, Mel Ohri,
LuAnn Shields, Jim Sibbel, Dian Edwards and John Boyle, along with Norm Hale,
Father Nigli and Alice Marx.
After review of the proposed
agenda with additions, a motion to approve the amended agenda was made by John
Boyle, seconded by Jim Sibbel, Vote: All
in favor, none opposed.
After review of and amendment
of the October 10 meeting minutes, a motion to approve the amended minutes was
made by Jill Everitt, seconded by LuAnn Shields,
Vote: All in favor, none opposed.
Pastor’s Report:
I.
Building Project – Project was set to go until the construction company presented an
outrageous bid. Requests are now being
made to receive bids from local companies.
Father Nigli gave an explanation of the
background regarding the closing of the front entrance to St. Mary’s for the
construction project. Since the front
office and security system were moved to the Northwest part of the building,
the entrance needed to be routed to the North. Since the construction had not
begun yet, the front entrance was used only temporarily for the parish auction,
to make it more convenient for people to attend the auction.
II.
Pat Flood –
Father gave an update on the discussion held at a recent Archdiocesan meeting
regarding security, sexual predators, etc.
At some time during the month of November, it was discovered that there
has been a security issue since there are often many doors propped open
throughout the school grounds. Father
will send out a letter stating that students may not open a door for anyone
without being instructed to do so by a teacher or faculty member. No one will ever be allowed to open a door
that they cannot see through. Alarm
strips will be on the doors that are not armed with security cameras. These
safeguards will be put into place to tighten security, maintain fire codes, and
stop the entry of unauthorized personnel, burglaries, etc. Regarding safe environment training, we
have not had any issues or concerns. All
employees are aware that at any time, their history of online activity can be
accessed.
III.
Fiscal Policy
– There have been major issues with financial scandals and embezzling at
various schools and churches throughout the Archdiocese. Father asked the Board to review the overview
of St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s Fiscal Policy. This will streamline the process
of budgeting needs for upcoming years.
The process must be supervised by the Pastor.
IV.
Archdiocese Priests Conference –Received information regarding the tuition
scholarships that were given to Catholic Schools throughout the archdiocese. Would like to add this to the agenda for next
month, so that we can discuss ways to enable St. Mary’s students to also
receive tuition scholarships.
V.
Symposiusm – St, Mary’s has been asked to put a focus group
together to cover four areas: Catholic Identity
and Culture, Academic Excellence, Accessible and Affordable, and Responsibility
of Every Catholic. The Board discussed
each of these areas, and put together the ideas. These suggestions will go to the Archdiocese
office, go through the proper channels and a final version will be completed by
October, 2008.
Principal’s Report:
I.
School Climate – Things are going well in both schools with students and staff. Very minimal discipline problems.
II.
Accreditation Meeting – Held at Teacher In-Service today to form and work
with committees that are involved in the School Improvement Process. Need to include a cross-section of faculty,
parents, board members to be on the Technology Committee, K-5 and 7-12 Data Committee, in order to
have premium representation from an array of interested parties. Must have one academic school goal and one
religion school goal as well.
Responsibilities for committee members were reviewed at the in-service
too. Norm is asking Board members to be
on the Steering Committee and some of the other various committees.
III.
Test Scores
– ITBS scores have been received. St.
Mary’s students did very well on these tests.
Initially, a major area of concern was computation skills in K-7,
however it was discovered that there was a flaw in the computation skills area
of the tests. Our students did very
well and Mr. Hale was very pleased with the results.
IV.
Letter to Parents – A letter will go out to all high school parents regarding revisions
to Athlete of the Year, Senior Portraits and Prom Mass Attire. The draft of the letter was reviewed by the
School Board. This letter will be mailed
out the week of November 19th.
V.
Christmas Program Reception – The elementary Christmas program will be held on
VI.
The Golden Compass – Jill Everitt updated the board regarding
the new movie that is coming out, The
Golden Compass, which was authored by a confessed atheist. This issue was addressed in the Catholic
Voice. Discussion was held concerning
that the book should not be allowed in the school libraries, the Board
requested to have Father speak to this matter in the weekend masses and the
church bulletin.
Motion to go into executive
session by LuAnn Shields, second by Jill Everitt, All
in Favor: none opposed.
Motion was made to come out
of executive session by John Boyle, second by Jim Sibbel. Vote:
All in Favor, none opposed.
With no further business, the
meeting was adjourned with a motion to adjourn by Mel Ohri,
seconded by Jill Everitt. Meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer
led by Dian Edwards.