Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

 I     Executive Session – 5:30

 II    Prayer – 6:00 - Kelly led the Board in prayer.

 III  Open Forum/Visitors’ comments – 6:01- None.

 IV Acceptance of April Minutes – 6:02-In Unfinished Business-C. Teacher Contracts: Amend the spelling of Mr. Thein’s name. In News Business-A. Student Council presentation for PE uniform change: amend “and” to read “end of the year.” In Unfinished Business – A. Budget: Amend “audited” and “audit,” to “reviewed” and “review.” Father Larry moved approval of the amended April minutes, which was seconded by Veronica and approved by the Board.

 V    Acceptance of May agenda – 6:04 - Barb moved approval of the May agenda, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board.

 Administrators’ Reports – 6:04

A.     Director of Faith Formation – Bob passed out Kathy’s report for the Board to review.

B.    Parish Manager – Bob had emailed his financial report to the Board prior to the meeting and said he was available to answer any individual questions privately. The financials were as close to budget as they could be. Building and Grounds: The pit was fixed and dry, work had extended 225 feet into the teachers’ parking lot, and three new drains had been put in. For mulch, negotiations were still in progress and the work would be done after school dismissed for the summer. Additional bids were needed for the gym floor. There was discussion of the gym floor project. The project had been discussed the previous night at the PTC meeting, as had the possibility of a school dance over the summer. A letter had been received from Mid-American Energy with notification of the end of the energy program from which the parish procured natural gas. A new supplier for gas would need to be secured or it would need to come from Mid-American. A cooperative situation was being explored. The Riso copier in the parish office had died after 1.8 million copies. The impending utility issue was Bob’s most pressing concern and the greatest expense.

 C. School Administrator – 6:13 - 298 students were currently enrolled for the coming year. Ellen gave a brief rundown of the ITBS scores for the school, asked the Board to review the report and said she was available for questions. Ellen had recently visited Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Dubuque with Diocesan Superintendent Luvern Gubbels. The school has a Spanish immersion program. Ellen detailed various accomplishments of individual students and groups at St. Theresa. Ellen had met with Josh for the Marketing Committee. At least one Board member would be asked to join the committee. The deadline for the parent survey had been extended. There was discussion of enrollment numbers for the summer Childcare program.   

 VII –  Unfinished (Old Business) Business  –  6:22

A.     Board of Education election – Five bios were in place for the upcoming Board of Education elections. Steve’s would be added. Father Larry distributed a volunteer commitment agreement that he had received from a parent that was moving out of state, which had come from the family’s prospective new school. It was for review only. Board of Education nominations had been solicited through the Friday folders, and four additional people had been nominated. Molly would call the four nominees that evening to gauge their interest in running for a seat on the Board, and if so, to have them visit the parish office ASAP to submit their bio and get their photo taken. There was discussion of the election process and Board member duties involved.

B.    Budget – 6:38 - After departmental review, the only current feedback was a request on the part of the Nutritional Director to raise the lunch price to $2.25, as opposed to $2.20, for the coming school year. This was after review of the price increases in other nutrition programs. Veronica moved approval of the request, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board. 

C.    Registration – 6:45 -This had been discussed in Executive Session.

D.    Marketing Committee – 6:46 -This had been discussed earlier in the meeting. The first Marketing Committee meeting had low turnout due to various circumstances, but the committee would number five to six members going forward.

E.     Handbook revisions – 6:47- Ellen would need two to three people to work with her on this before the next Board meeting. Changes would be sent to the remainder of the Board in early June to allow for a vote in the handbook at the June meeting. There was discussion of the dress code.

  VIII  Committee Reports – 7:00

The Technology and School Improvement Committees had not met since the last Board meeting. Ellen said the PTC meeting was long and productive. Carolyn McCarthy would be president the following year, Katie Olsen would be a vice president, Amy Brichetto would be secretary and Justin Dopheide would be a faculty representative. There was discussion of general PTC activities. Steve and Rachael had attended the Finance Council meeting. There was discussion of clarification and communication of roles between varying parish boards and committees, as well as definition of roles in all financial processes pertaining to the parish and school. There was specific discussion of special tuition arrangement handling.

    IX  New Business – 7:22

       A. Data Analysis  –  Ellen offered more detailed explanation of the ITBS scores. The Board discussed the results. The Board would further review the stats and get back to Ellen with any questions.

       Other Business – 7:32

       A. Next meeting date – June 10

    X  Adjournment – 7:38

    Veronica moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Molly and approved by the Board.

Next Meeting - June 10, 2008 5:30