Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

I     Prayer – 5:45 – Kelly led the Board in prayer.

II    Open Forum/Visitors’ Comments – 5:50

Dave Kouri, Jane Kouri, Jolea Schwager and Maggie Shonka addressed the Board regarding the current kindergarten class. Discussion centered around having an additional kindergarten aide. The Kouris said volunteers are a great asset, but that it would be nice to have an aide for consistency.

III  Acceptance of September agenda – 6:00

Executive Session was added at the end of the agenda. Geri moved approval of the amended September agenda which was seconded by Jeremy and approved by the Board.

IV   Approval of September – 6:01

Tabled as a copy of the August minutes was circulated among the Board for review.

V   Unfinished(Old Business) Business – 6:02

Middle school PE uniforms for girls would be tried on the following day. Jeremy said the uniforms were reversible in hunter green, that no Kelly green was available and that a logo could go on the uniforms. The cost was less than $9, and the shirt would not fade, where the logo would over time. The material dries out quickly and is more comfortable. It would take a couple weeks to get the uniforms in with screening. The Board held general discussion of the PE uniforms. After the uniforms were tried on, handling of situations of those families who had paid previously for the uniforms would be determined.

 

 VI   Administrators’ Reports – 6:12

A. Bob distributed Kathy’s report. There was an increase in Wednesday Faith Formation enrollment numbers over last year.

B. Prior to distributing a statement of account for the school for August 2008, Bob told the Board he would have to leave early due to family health reasons. He said as well that he had missed some work recently due to a surgery and hospitalization. Bob reviewed the August actual against the budget, August for last year and the year-to-date. A report had been requested from John McMichael by the Finance Council on the actuals for the last couple years, along with the budget. The St. Theresa Foundation minutes had shown an amount close to the $15,309 budget variance that was approved for assistance to the school. Regarding Building and Grounds, a Boy Scout Eagle project was planned that would include pouring a new slab of concrete outside the pre-k door. Quick-crete was being considered for outside the second-grade doors. A roofing bid would be taken for the leaking in the hallway outside the principal’s office. A water survey had just been concluded for the gym floor, which would be taken into account in decision making for the new gym floor. A bulge in the floor was being reviewed, and results were due in about a week. Boilers on site had been taken apart in preparation for annual inspection. Rachael expressed concern about the liability with kids playing where there was broken concrete. Bob mentioned again the use of Quick-crete and that the Boy Scouts knew it was a time-sensitive issue. Bob asked the Board to go over the budget and call him with questions the next day prior to the Finance Council meeting. Steve asked about variances in the budget. Rachael mentioned figuring specific differences. There was discussion of budget variances. Under Athletics, $2500 was given as the budgeted amount and $9656 showed as the actual. Bob said he would go back and find out for the Board.

C. School Administrator – 6:36 - Ellen said thank-you for the beautiful flowers sent on behalf of the Board for her father’s funeral. She has attended evaluator training that day with Jen Faber. There would be changes in school Mass, with regard to liturgical planning and John Hanna coming once a month. John Gaffney and several eighth graders had provided a meal at Café Connection that day. Students had raised $528 for the Social Concerns Committee with donations to wear Iowa or Iowa State clothing to school the day before the game. Middle School gum fines also go to the committee. Enrollment numbers were detailed, broken down by grade, gender, ethnicity and religion. The School improvement Advisory Committee was evolving, responsibilities and meeting dates were provided. Previously mentioned needed repairs were touched upon. A Discipline Board had been developed and would meet that week over a middle school issue. Student numbers qualifying for free and reduced meals were detailed. Upcoming field trips were listed. The Standards-based Education System now in place was discussed. Online dangers would be the topic of a talk with parents and then students. There had been no contract offered as of yet for the State of Iowa pre-k grant for the current year. Discussion was still continuing between the diocese and the Des Moines schools for last year’s contract. Ellen affirmed that the faith component would not be taken out to stay in the grant program. Ed-line families who had not yet logged on would be called. There was discussion of billing statement balances, with Ellen stating that the main concern was getting statements to parents. There was discussion of continuation of the pre-k grant program. There was also discussion of enrollment numbers and curriculum quality.

VII    Committee Reports – 7:10

Meetings on policy review had been rescheduled. Cindy spoke about the latest PTC meeting. Stampede was under way and would conclude with a pancake breakfast. A decision would be forth-coming on the gym floor. The Finance Council meeting had been postponed and was set for the next night.

 VIII  New Business – 7:16

STS Marketing Committee – Josh Faber had spoken to the teachers the previous week about different things they could do to impact marketing.

IX      Other Business – 7:19

Board goals would be on the agenda for the following meeting. Rachael asked the Board to think about realistic goals, and also about a school mission statement. There was discussion of the mission statement development process. The Board discussed the possibility of an internal review of school finances. Michele, Geri, Rachael and Cindy would comprise a committee that would take the idea of an internal review before the Finance Council.

X       Adjournment – 7:48

A. Date of next meeting(s) Oct. 14 and Nov. 11.

B. Approval of August meeting minutes - Approval moved by Geri, seconded by  Kelly and carried by the Board.

C. Prayer – 7:51 - Jeremy moved to adjourn to Executive Session prior to closing prayer, which was seconded by Geri and approved by the Board.

Next Meetings - Oct. 14 and Nov. 11, 2008 5:45