St. Mary’s School Board Minutes

January 9, 2008

 

Guests:  None

 

Board President, Gene Soukup called the meeting to order.  Jim Sibbel gave the opening prayer.   All Board members were present including:  Gene Soukup, Merri Schneider, Sharon Spencer, Jill Everitt, Mel Ohri, LuAnn Shields, Dian Edwards, John Boyle and Jim Sibbel, along with Norm Hale, Father Nigli and Alice Marx. 

 

Motion to go into Executive Session was made by Jill Everitt, seconded by Luann Shields.  After discussion, a motion to come out of Executive Session was made by Dian Edwards, Seconded by Jim Sibbel.

 

Pastors Report:

 

       I.      Construction Project – Construction is right on schedule.  A temporary boiler will be available next weekend, and a permanent boiler will be installed soon.  The area needs to be clear for an entire weekend.  Consideration is being given for the weekend that the Sweetheart dance has been scheduled.  If so, the dance would need to be moved to the grade school gym.  The church renovation will begin at the end of January, with most of the construction being complete by the middle of May, worst-case scenario would be that the project would be completed by the middle of June.

    II.      Court Trial – Mrs. Pritchett had a request to take students that are involved in Mock Trial to witness the sentencing for the officer who had called in the school threats last year.  After discussion the board agreed that it would be best not to be involved in this particular case.   Everyone agreed that it would be a good idea to take these students to another civil, less-volatile court case.

 III.      Class Schedules – Would like to remove the time period that students are using for the Channel 1, Mr. Hale informed the board that this (Channel 1) will not be available after this year anyway.   In consideration of the class schedule for the upcoming academic year, TANN classes during the first period will need to be reviewed, so that students are able to attend masses and other important school/religious activities.  Father would like to adjust some of the times for the class periods in order to get all of the core classes in.  These core classes will be throughout the middle of the day in order to have all core curriculum completed on game days when students have to leave early. 

IV.      Principal’s Evaluation – The Archdiocese and Father Gilg had a discussion with Father Nigli, regarding the evaluation of the Principal.  He mentioned that there is a change in the way that evaluations will be handled, and that Father Nigli will be the one who will evaluate the Principal.  This is maintained as a confidential document and will be forwarded directly from Father Nigli to the Archdiocese.  Norm explained the procedures that are followed in order to choose not to renew a teacher’s contract.  Please see attached addendum for more information regarding procedures.

 

 

Principal’s Report:

 

             I.      School Climate – There have been relatively few discipline problems as school has become back in session after the first of the year.  Elementary students still have been having a few issues in classes and these are being addressed.  There are three new students, which increases our enrollment to 125 grade school students plus 95 high school students.  The total of 220 K-12 students shows that we are continuing with positive enrollment trend.  Father Nigli and Mr. Hale will be contacting families to discuss the possibility of attending St. Mary’s.  Jill Everitt mentioned that the Home & School has added the discussion of welcome committee plans to their agenda for the next meeting.

          II.      Letter of Intent for Personnel – Letters of Intent to return will be given to each teacher by January 15, to allow them to state their plans for the upcoming year.  Contracts go out by February 15, must be returned by March 15.

       III.      Teacher’s Evaluation and Contracts – Mr. Hale stated that 1st and 2nd year teachers (new to the teaching profession), and all new staff members will be evaluated along with three elementary school and three high school teachers.  All teachers will be evaluated every other year.  Each teacher has at least one informal evaluation throughout the year as well.  Evaluations will be completed by Feb. 15.   Dian Edwards suggested that evaluations could be spread out throughout the school year, and used as a positive piece, including goal-setting, etc., so that each teacher could be evaluated every year.   (For further clarification - See attached addendum)

     IV.      College Preparatory School Criteria – Father Nigli stated while there is cost to funding expanded college preparatory programs, we need to focus on improving college “prep” at St. Mary’s.  He suggested looking at the upper echelon schools in the state, the curricula of elite urban schools, the level of instruction, and the variety of courses.  We may want to consider offering summer college preparatory courses.

        V.      Open Campus for Seniors – Norm discussed an alternate “open campus” plan for this year’s seniors.  Because of full day scheduling, there is not an open period to link with the lunch hour during which seniors have traditionally been allowed to leave campus during the last 9 weeks of school.  Thus, the plan is to allow seniors to leave campus during their lunch period during the last 13 weeks of school.  The “open campus” privilege will be reexamined each school year.

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jill Everitt, seconded by Luann Shields.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDENDUM TO BOARD MINUTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 10, 2008

 

To:  School Board Members

 

Re:  Teacher Evaluation

 

Hello Everyone:

 

I felt we had a productive meeting last night.  After meeting with Fr. Nigli this morning, and “running across” a couple of School Board members, this morning, I believe that I should briefly clarify the teacher evaluation process.

 

I want to clearly articulate that all teachers receive evaluations each year.   However, special attention is given to teachers new to St. Mary’s as well as first year or second year teachers.  I apologize for the confusion last night.

 

Fr. Nigli also wanted me to remind you that he welcomes your input on my yearly evaluation.  I also welcome it.  No doubt, I will be prone to making the same mistakes if I am not apprised of them.

 

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the games tonight.


Your Brother In Christ

 

 

Norm Hale

Principal