Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

 I     Executive Session – 5:30

 II    Prayer – 5:45 - Barb led the Board in prayer.

III  Open Forum/Visitors’ comments- 5:47 – Gloria Moore addressed the Board regarding advanced courses and guidance for middle school. Barb requested a copy of Gloria’s suggestions. Gloria would email the copy of her presentation to the Board.

 IV  Acceptance of March Agenda – 5:58- Moved by Father Larry and seconded by Kelly with approval by the Board.

 V    Approval of November and February Minutes – 5:59 – The Board reviewed November minutes condensed and amended by Ellen. In the Attendees section of the November minutes-amend Secretary from Lisa Bourne to Sheila Timmerman. Jen moved approval of the amended November minutes, which was seconded by Rachael and approved by the Board. Father Larry moved approval of the February minutes, which was seconded by Jen and approved by the Board.

 VI  Administrators’ Reports

A.     Director of Faith Formation – 6:02 - Kathy distributed her report to the Board. Things were busy with Faith formation preparing for upcoming things. Five classroom sessions remain for Wednesday Faith Formation. Catechists would meet for in-service the following night. Father Chris Fontanini would meet with grades 5-8 for the April 2 WFF session. A reconciliation prayer service had been held March 5 and grades 2-8 then celebrated individual Reconciliation. Approximately 200 people attended Generations of Faith festivals February 27 and March 2. The final GOF festivals would be held April 20 and April 23, when the sacraments of Confirmation, Holy Orders and Matrimony would be presented. IGNITE was presented twice with roughly 85% of 7^th and 8^th graders participating. Confirmation would be celebrated April 7. First Communion learning centers would be held April 9 and the sacrament would be celebrated the first weekend in May.  Parish Faith Formation Council members attended a diocesan meeting at St. Theresa February 11 as part of the 5-year Pastoral Plan for Catechesis.  An evening of discernment for the Faith Formation Council was planned and invitations had been sent to roughly 50 parishioners. The diocese has determined that all catechists should be certified. The program established by the diocese for catechist certification is Echoes of Faith, with a cost of over $800. Faith Formation has purchased two laptops with Stampede funds. The Board discussed collaboration with other parishes on Echoes of Faith. There was discussion of the Confirmation students who had not attended IGNITE. Kathy would follow up with the students’ families.   

B.    Parish Manager – 6:14  Regarding Building and Grounds, drain work outside the north second-grade classroom would start the following week. Bob asked the Board for thoughts on renting out the gym. There was discussion of varying approaches. It was determined that the policy should be equitable. Bob would draw up a proposed policy. A template was under consideration for parish and school needs pertaining to goods and services. Barb suggested that a process be implemented to request bids from among parishioners. There was discussion of deadlines, timing of requests and how to handle contracted work with parishioners. Bob distributed an updated version of February financials to the Board. There was a billing problem with Parishsoft resulting when changes were made to individual accounts. There was discussion of Parishsoft issues. Ed-line was being considered for billing of tuition and fees. Bob would investigate further. Tuition update: 50 families were paid in full, and 46 owed $500 or less. 121 families were on ACH billing, with a total of 213 families billed for tuition. 11 were pre-k only. There were seven families with issues in tuition payment. The Board discussed the CTO and tuition billing. The number of families having difficulty paying tuition was fairly typical ear by year, as a result of job losses and other financial difficulties. There was discussion of restrictions placed on use of the gym since installation of the sound boards. Barb suggested that Building and Grounds communicate what is acceptable. There was additional discussion of gym rental fees and expectations. Father Larry excused himself to lead evening prayer.

School Administrator – 6:52-There would be school on April 25 and May 12. School would dismiss at 1:30 on May 30, which would include Mass, a picnic, a talent show and awards assembly. Trimesters would be employed next year and conferences would be kept aligned with Dowling. The middle school dance would be that Friday night. SCASS would take place April 2 at St. Theresa. Wednesday Faith Formation families would receive registration packets. Track was starting, with Lindsay Amadeo’s help since Pete Halaczkwicz was busy with his new baby.

 VII–  Unfinished (Old Business) Business   

            7:07 – Ellen was still awaiting Bitty Ball funds, again likely due to Pete 

            Halaczkwicz’s new baby. The Board discussed the status of the guidance

            counselor. Ellen said a full-time guidance counselor was needed. The figure

            needed to pay for the guidance counselor came to $400 per month. Board

            members would endeavor to come up with that amount.

  VIII  Committee Reports – None

    IX  New Business – 7:15

       A. Teacher Contracts – Ellen read a letter of resignation from Beth Binns, who was

            moving to be closer to family. Mr. Thein had communicated that he would be

            leaving, but had not done so officially and a contract would be extended to him in

            the meantime. Cheri Walsh was planned to begin subbing. Ellen requested

            approval for her to offer contracts to all current teachers except for Beth Binns 

            and to change the guidance counselor from part-time to full-time. There was

            discussion of staffing and the process of contract approval. Jen moved approval

            to allow Ellen to extend contracts to whom she deems appropriate. Steve offered

            the alternative approach that the Board didn’t need to vote on contract approval

            as the Board’s role in the matter is advisory and the final decision up to the

            administrator. Jen’s motion was withdrawn.

        B. Executive Session – 7:40

            Kelly moved to adjourn to Executive Session, which was seconded by Barb and

            approved by the Board.

    X   Other Business – 8:09

          A. Steve moved pursuant to the Board of Education manual to forego formal

              approval of teacher contracts and contracts would be issued based on        

              recommendation of the program administrator, which was seconded by Barb and

              approved by the Board.

C.    There was discussion of future meeting dates and use of meeting time. The next

      meeting dates would be April 29, May 20 and June 17.

    XI  Adjournment – 8:12  Jen moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Rachael and

          approved by the Board.

Next Meeting-April 29, 2008 5:30