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, Dian Edwards, along with Norm Hale and
Father Nigi.
Board members absent were John Boyle and Jim Sibbel.
After review of the proposed
agenda with additions, a motion to approve the amended agenda was made by Mel Ohri, seconded by Dian Edwards, Vote: All in favor, none opposed.
After review of the November
14 meeting minutes, a motion to approve the minutes was made by Dian Edwards,
seconded by Sharon Spencer, Vote: All in favor, none opposed.
Dian Edwards asked to revisit
the plans for the cookies to be provided by the School Board after the
elementary school program. It was
estimated that the school program will not end until close to
Pastor’s Report:
The Golden Compass – although the media is stating that this first movie
may not be as anti-Christian as the initial reports came out, the subsequent
movies will have a stronger anti-Christian theme. The Catholic Church is still strongly
discouraging members and their families from viewing this series of movies.
Building Project – Father Nigli has received permission from
the Bishop for the building project, and the construction of the addition has
started. Father has made an appeal to
all those who may want to add to the contributions for the building project,
the thought behind this appeal was to encourage those who may not have had the
opportunity to make a contribution earlier, to make a donation to the project
now.
Senior Retreat – Father wanted to express his sincere thanks to the parents who
encouraged their children to go; the faith-filled Retreat leaders; the students
who attended the retreat; and also to the school for working out the details. He mentioned that the retreat was very
smoothly.
Principal’s Report:
I.
School Climate
– Mr. Hale met with a family today, with two home-schooled students they would
like to have attend St. Mary’s. These students will most likely begin school
next week. Jill Everitt
will work with Carolyn Hale to come up with a Welcome Family to meet with the
new school family. Mr. Hale is happy to
say that enrollment continues to increase at St. Mary’s. There are no major discipline
issues at the school, things are going very well, and students are making wise
choices. With the upcoming home
basketball games in mind, there will be outside lighting posted at the entrance
to the high school gym, and the entry will be carefully cleaned. Father asked that when there are visitors to
the school (including high school athletic events), that all areas open to the
visitors are clean and maintained.
II.
School Accreditation Progress – During faculty in-service, the committees signed up
for the various committees to get ready for the next accreditation visit. Over the next five years, St. Mary’s needs to
work on a technology plan. Mr. Hale has
staff members assigned to be on the committee, and would like to get other
individuals to be involved, in order to establish what it is they want to
achieve in technology skills. A
curriculum will need to be put into place from the top down. Father recommends that when students are
missing school for appointments, etc., their parents should avoid having them
out of school during religion classes and other core classes. Father would like to consider the possibility
of having school begin at
III.
Building Construction Report – The construction process is moving along very
quickly. There will be much
communication to students and families as the project moves along. A new emergency exit door will be constructed
where the old office used to be. Father Nigli and Mr. Hale will continue to keep everyone aware of
the project.
Dian Edwards made the motion
to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mel Ohri. Jill Everitt
moved to come out of Executive Session, and LuAnn Shields seconded.
With there being no further
business for discussion, a motion to adjourn was made by LuAnn Shields,
seconded by Mel Ohri.
The meeting was closed with a prayer led by Dian Edwards.