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Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes Tuesday, September 18, 2007 5:45PM
I Prayer - 5:50 – Rachael led the Board in prayer. II Introduction of Board Members – 5:52 III Acceptance of September Agenda - 5:54 - Meeting of Two New Staff Members moved earlier on the agenda. IV News Business – 5:55 A. Meet two new staff members – Band Director Margaret Doyle and P.E. Teacher Daniel Grandon introduced themselves to the Board, provided background information and shared curriculum plans. V Open Forum – 6:08 - None. VI Approval Of June Minutes – 6:09 – Father Larry moved approval of the June minutes, which was approved by the Board VII Unfinished (Old Business) Business – 6:10 A. Action on Teacher Contract – Contract for Third-Grade Teacher Mrs. Stromer, formerly Miss Zwald, up for approval. Steve moved that the Board not vote on the contract since only a signature was needed for approval. Jeremy seconded the motion. There was discussion of changing the policy to remove the vote ongoing, since the diocesan policy on formal acceptance of teacher contracts would be changing and any action on contracts comes before the Board before contracts are offered. Personnel issues are handled through discussion in Executive Session. Clarification is needed that the Board does not vote on contracts, but rather gives input prior to when administration makes a contract decision. The Board approved Steve’s motion. There would be future additional consideration of the matter.
VIII Administrators’ Report – 6:20 A. Director of Faith Formation – Bob distributed Kathy’s report and referred questions to Kathy. B. Parish Manager – 6:22 - Regarding Building and Grounds, the east-side drain would be flow-jetted to show whether the pipe was broken or if there was a drainage issue. There were currently 337 students on record as attending school, and 298 on Bob’s record to be billed for tuition. Bob ran down figures for total tuition due for the year and the amount left to collect. The State grant for Pre-K may be coming in October, and nothing pertaining to collection of Pre-K tuition was being done currently. Any overage in grant payment would go toward reduction of the parish subsidy amount. The last report on the grant indicated that half of the grant would be received in October and the second half in April. Regarding financials, the months of July and August are too early to give a complete picture. Things looked good so far. Bob ran down basic YTD actuals. September would give a better picture. Steve asked about the issue of families in arrears with tuition payments, as has been previously discussed by the Board. There was more discussion of tuition figures, and discussion of the possibility of suggesting Pre-K families consider paying something toward tuition, supplemental to the State grant, with the proceeds benefiting other programs. Enrollment numbers were discussed. Those families not yet getting billed for tuition would have their balance divided over the remaining months. Barb expressed concern over parents who had completed all of their paperwork on time but who were still not getting billed. There was discussion of stopping ACH withdrawals for Pre-K tuition, the State grant and general tuition billing. Barb said some parents have expressed desire for a monthly tuition statement. It was determined that communication with parents explaining the timing of tuition statements was in order. Quarterly tuitions statements would be processed after the statement that would be going home in that week’s Friday Folder. C. School Administrator – 6:51 – School was off to a great start. Ellen was impressed with the staff and what they’re working on. There would be changes in assessment reporting. K-5 parents would have a meeting available on the new academic and behavioral reporting. The Board, along with parents, students and staff would have input on the new reporting system. Various assessments were discussed. Ellen invited Board members to visit the school at any time. The State Board of Education would visit the school November 8 and 9, and would be an opportunity to review St. Theresa as compared to State requirements. Staff, Board members, parents and students would be interviewed by the State. The State would make recommendations and a written report would be issued six weeks after the visit, and shared with the parish community. Work would begin on applying for a Blue Ribbon School designation. There was a crisis plan drill the previous week, more practices were to come and one would involve the Des Moines Police Department. Additional information would be going home on the off-site crisis plan. The PTC had held its first meeting the prior evening, with Stampede covered at the meeting. Athletics were off to a good start. Seventy-four students were riding the bus. Two hundred and eighty-seven students were regularly eating lunches, with 25 qualifying for free or reduced meals. Various professional development efforts were detailed. A day would be taken off January 15 for teacher professional development on differentiation, and there would be no day off in April. The second Tuesday each month Kathy Wipf, Barb Woods or John Gaffney would work with the teachers on Faith Formation. The Building Assistance Team would utilize a new Heartland AEA program. There was discussion of Individual Education Plans, as was changing structure of the Building Leadership Team. Bus drills would take place in October. The Bus Program was discussed. Mary Beth Heddinger would leave to go to work for her brother-in-law at the end of September and would be replaced by Jennifer Lyddon. IX Committee Reports – 7:12 A. Committee Assignments For Board Members – Geri had sent the committee sign-up form in her absence, which was passed around for the Board to make commitments. There was discussion of committee assignments. B. Policies – 7:30 – The Board began policy review. Policy changes need two readings. There was discussion of how to proceed. Enforcement of tuition payment policies was discussed. The Board would review a number of policies at each meeting, with policies 100, 110, 200, 210, 220 and 230 at the next meeting. X New Business – 8:00 A. Board Membership – The Board discussed how to proceed in filling the seat on the Board vacated by Jean Slaybaugh. Jean had requested the coming year off due to health and personal reasons, and was willing to return after the year or have the seat filled permanently. Barb moved to fill the seat for the duration of the term, which was seconded by Rachael and approved by the Board. Kelly moved to have Jen Faber appointed to the vacant seat. The motion was seconded by Barb and approved by the Board. Jeremy moved to nominate Veronica Degen to the seat vacated by Jen, which was seconded by Barb and approved by the Board. B. Board goals for 2007-2008 – A form containing this year’s goals for the Board was distributed. The Board would consider having individual members attend breakfast and Mass at school the first Friday of each month to be available to the school community. Ellen would forward the calendar for staff meetings for the Board to review and schedule a meeting between school staff and the Board. Plans were discussed for communication of Board member biographies, photos and goals via hard copy and the school website. Pictures would be taken at the next meeting. The Technology Committee and website maintenance were discussed. The Board would create a policy to allow for more immediate electronic approval of Board meeting minutes for the purpose of eliminating the wait until the subsequent meeting. A Board member liaison to the Technology Committee would be implemented. XI Adjournment – 8:32 – Steve moved to adjourn to Executive Session. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved by the Board.
Next Meeting- 5:45 p.m. October 16, 2007 |
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