Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

 I     Executive Session – 5:30

 II    Prayer – 5:52 - Cindy led the Board in prayer. The Board held discussion based on the         Our Journey in Faith worship aid.
III    Introduction of Board Members – 6:08 - New member Michele Lickteig was
         introduced.

 IV    Open Forum/Visitors’ Comments – 6:09 - None.

 V     Acceptance of August agenda – 6:09 - Kelly moved approval of the August agenda,

VI  Approval of June Minutes – 6:10-The June minutes contained reference to parents

       receiving school ITBS results in June, and also that the results of the Middle School

       survey would be sent to parents. Varying factors had prevented these two actions

       from taking place prior to the August meeting. The results from the ITBS and the

       Middle School survey would go out as soon as circumstances allow. Father Larry   

       Moved approval of the June minutes, which was seconded by Jeremy and approved

       by the Board.

VII Unfinished (Old Business) Business  – 6:15

A.    Action on teacher contract-Susie Schreck Elliott would be school counselor and a classroom aide. Geri moved approval of Susie’s contract pending approval of her license, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board.

VIII Administrators’ Reports – 6:15

A.    Director of Faith Formation – Kathy distributed her report, including the Wednesday Faith Formation schedule for the year. Vacation Bible School went very well. Registration for WFF was at 50% of the families expected to have registered. This was the same level as this time last year. Catechists would meet Aug 27 for orientation. The 6^th- grade catechist slot is open and a Sunday school catechist was needed as well. The Faith Formation handbook had been prepared. Catechetical Sunday would be observed Sept 21. The parish leadership workshop was held the previous weekend. The next few weeks would be busy with registrations and preparations for the year. Kathy was enthusiastic about the coming year. Bishop Pates had mentioned at the latest diocesan catechetical leader meeting the possibility of changing the age for administration of the sacrament of Confirmation up to high school. There was discussion of what this would mean for sacramental preparation at St. Theresa.

B.  Parish Manager – 6:31-Bob, Ellen and John had gone through registrations that day, and billing statements would be mailed out. Data was being imported to the new software, which would have the capability to administer billing, attendance, discipline and grades.

C.  School Administrator – 6:33-Enrollment numbers were reviewed, and were continually changing. The current total was 320. Exiting families would receive a call from a Board member in addition to an exit interview. The following Monday diocesan Superintendent of Schools Luvern Gubbels would meet with diocesan administrators to discuss the ongoing issue with the Des Moines public schools and the reimbursement amount to diocesan schools for the pre-school grant, in preparation for a presentation to the Des Moines schools Sept 15. Marketing and retention outreach were ongoing. Josh Faber, Kathie Swift and Kenneth Seymour were working on the marketing committee. Josh Faber would meet with teachers regarding marketing efforts and would also ask the PTC for funds to augment marketing. Josh would present to the Board in the future. A diocesan marketing committee report had indicated that parents send their children to St. Theresa due to the factors of tradition, location and they themselves having attended Catholic schools. The PTC has a welcoming committee and new families were getting contacted for outreach as the committee addresses a sense of belonging at the school. There was discussion of enrollment and assignment of classroom aides. Jeremy updated the Board on the beginnings of the new Athletic Committee, which also included Steve, Lindsay Amadeo, Pete Halaczkwicz and Tim Mentele. More information would follow on the Athletic Committee at subsequent meetings.

  IX  Committee Reports – 7:08

A.    Policy review-The Policy Committee had no action over the summer. Information from future Policy Committee meetings would be presented to the Board as it becomes available.

B.    Committee Assignment for Board Members – 7:12- Kelly was added to the Policy Committee. Michele was added to the Grant Writing Committee, and would take care of the May prayer and attend the May PTC meeting.

X    New Business – 7:12

       A. Board membership-Dr. Gubbels would have a workshop for new Board

           Members. Information would follow as it was available. Michele would serve a one-

           year term. Steve, Rob and Cindy would serve a full term. There would be working

           meetings for policy review in between regular Board meetings.

       B. Board goals for 2008-09-7:16-The Board would work on communication in all

            areas. Rachael requested that Board members bring additional ideas for potential

            Board goals to the next meeting. 

       C. Board of Education Book Study-Ellen would order copies of the book, Dreams

            and Visions, for everyone on the Board. The booklet, Forming Consciences for

            Faithful Citizenship, had been given to the teachers.

       D. The Marketing Committee-previously discussed.

       E.  2008-09 Formal Meeting Dates-Sept 16, Oct 14, Nov 18, Jan 20, Feb 10, Mar

            24, Apr 21, May 19 and Jun 16.

XI    Other Business – 7:26 - Childcare would be arranged for Board meetings for

         members and parents who would attend. Rachael had seen a 4-H program at the

         Iowa State Fair that incorporated math and science through the use of Lego’s. She

         would look further into the possibility of funding the program at St. Theresa. There  

         was the possibility that St. Theresa may host the state chess tournament in the  

         spring. Jeremy would look into new sample shirts for the PE uniform. It was possible   

         to see through the initial sample shirts. There was discussion of the PE uniforms.   

         Molly would create a flyer to offer additional new PE shorts and jerseys for those

         who would want them.

XII   Adjournment – 7:44 -The next meeting would be September 16. The Board prayed  

         from Our Journey In Faith. Geri moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Kelly  

Next Meeting - September 16, 2008  5:30