Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

I         Prayer – 5:54

II       Open Forum/Visitors’ Comments – 5:55

None.

III      Acceptance of March Agenda – 5:56

Ronda McCarthy from New Business, and add Kelly under Committee Reports to discuss what other area Catholic schools are doing with regard to year-round school. Steve moved approval of the amended March agenda, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board.

IV     Approval of February Minutes – 5:57

Under (VII-C) - Building change to, “Steve said a different approach to facilities management was under consideration partially because of the impending end of the utilities contract.” Father Larry moved approval of the amended February minutes, which was seconded by Geri and approved by the Board.

 V      Administrators’ Reports

A.    Director of Faith Formation – 6:00  Kathy distributed her report. WFF had been suspended for about a month due to conferences and other activities. Six sessions remain. Most classes would prepare for Reconciliation the following week. Jen Kunzweiler’s third grade section b class raised $240 toward the purchase of bus tokens for a local shelter with a bake sale and collecting empty cans and bottles. The diocese had distributed a worksheet to assess which catechists may be grandfathered in for certification. Confirmation would be celebrated April 20, First Communion learning centers would be April 15 and the sacrament would be celebrated May 2 and 3. The parish catechetical team met March 5 to discuss moving Confirmation to 10^th grade. The March Generations of Faith covered life issues. The last GOF festival would be April 19 and 22, featuring the 4^th, 6^th and 9^th Commandments. Kathy and Barb Woods would attend Generations of Faith workshop in Altoona March 31. Kathy was assisting in two adult faith formation Lenten mini-retreats. This year’s vacation bible school would be Totus Tuus. The Faith Formation Council met March 19, and it was time for new member discernment. Father Larry talked about moving Confirmation to 10^th grade, which the Board discussed.

B. Parish Manager – 6:13  Bob had sent out financials to the Board. Tuition in arrears in the amount of $23,800 was being worked on through payments and payment arrangements. It was estimated that roughly $7200 may be written off. Some families would be stretching payments into the following year. The Board discussed how $23K could be missing. Bob said the new process was in place with checks and balances that should result in issues surfacing within a week. Income for March would show above budget due to the extra money recently collected. Bob would check on the specifics of Program Supplies in the Nutrition Department and get back to Kelly. He would also check into Program Services under School Committees and get back to Rachael. The Board discussed tuition write-offs. Bob told the Board to email him with questions. The roof had been fixed, with new flashing. The lights in the gym had been replaced over spring break; making it considerably brighter and including an instant-on feature.  

C. School Administator – 6:30  ITBS scores were back and Ellen said they looked great, distributing numbers to the Board. More detailed information would be available in April. Registration numbers were at 222. Current families that had not yet registered would be contacted. The Board discussed enrollment numbers. STS would participate in the nonpublic schools day at the State Capitol April 7. STS was the site of a State pre-k site visit, and some additional fencing would be required. Ellen said it was hoped that the project could be taken care of with an Eagle Scout project. For the coming school year, STS would receive $2470.86 per student for the pre-k program, 70% of the Des Moines Public Schools amount of $3529.80. Ellen would email gym floor product comparison information to the Board, for which a decision was due in April. Ellen listed various field trips taking place. Compliments had been received for students’ behavior. The pro-life contest was coming up. Ellen distributed copies of faith formation manuals to be used by teachers. John Gaffney will use a faith formation blogspot, with John overseeing site posting. Ellen detailed various student accomplishments. Ellen read a letter for resignation for Ronda McCarthy from the Nutrition Department. McCarthy will be pursuing a career in teaching. Advertising for her replacement would begin in a couple weeks. The Board discussed ITBS results. Rachael commended the accomplishment of the recent middle school play. There was discussion of the State Core Curriculum, for which STS would not receive funds for implementation. Core Curriculum is due to be in place for high school by July 2010, and July 2012 for elementary.

 

VI       Committee Reports – 6:57

A.    Year Round School – Kelly had spoken with Holy Family School Principal Martin Flaherty, who had sent a proposed calendar for year-round school. The decision for Holy Family would be voted on in December and if approved be put in place the following year. Christ the King and St. Anthony were looking at this as well. When Kelly had spoken with Holy Family School Principal Marty Flaherty he indicated that he had had spoken with Dr. Luvern Gubbels at the diocese, who was supportive of Holy Family School going to year-round school. Holy Family parents were said to be receptive as well.

B.    Athletic Committee – 6:51-Steve passed out a proposed track logo. Three students had been awarded Gina Neibergal scholarships.

C. Policy Committee – Did not meet

D. Wellness Committee – Family fitness night was continuing.

VII    Unfinished (Old Business) Business – 6:54

A. Budget  – Ellen said things were in a holding pattern with enrollment, and more would be known in April. Additional funds would need to be added back in to the budget for affiliate parishes. There would be a 2% increase in health care costs, which Ellen said would be picked up by the school since there would be no salary increases. The Board discussed enrollment. Teacher contract offers would be delayed three weeks from April 1, until the day following the April Board of Education meeting.

 

B.  Billing Process – 6:57 – This procedure was in process and was discussed earlier in the meeting. The Finance Council will want a monthly update of tuition billing, which will go through the Hunter system starting in April.

VIII  New Business – 8:16

Marketing – Rachael will head up a recruiting committee. Actions will likely include, among others, contacting former STS families and Wednesday Faith Formation families. There was discussion of how to administer a scholarship program. Rachael will meet with Father Larry and Ellen to establish and scholarship criteria and guidelines. Michele, Cindy, Steve and Jeremy will assist on the committee.

 

IX      Board In-Service

Dr. Luvern Gubbels thanked Board members for their service. He had two goals; to define roles and responsibilities of the Board and most effective and efficient-and answer questions. Extremely important to und difference between public school boards and Catholic school. Public school model was first used when. Church law says boards and committees are strictly advisory. In contrast, public school boards are administrative. Dr. Gubbels explained what advisory and consultative means. He said that a wise pastor seeks counsel of people on boards, realizing they are not the sole owner. The finance committee is the only committee required to exist by Church law. Other boards and committees have grown out of desire for them. Seek the advice and counsel of others is extremely imp. Catholic school boards exist to encourage and support the school, administration and school activities. Board members role extremely important. People look to you assuming you have knowledge and that members are invested in making the school better, and board members have great impact on parent perception of the school. Dr. Gubbels advise the Board to go to the proper source first when issues arise, and continue to next level for recourse when this does not produce success. The advisory and consultative capacity of the Board is in effect only when Board is in session; otherwise individual board members are parents and/or parishioners. The Board is a community that needs to work together. Board president/chair, by way of election, has additional authority. Confidentiality is hard. Executive session needed for sensitive issues. Board members are liable for confidentiality. Insurance protection applies unless confidentiality has been violated. Dr. Gubbels distributed the diocesan board of education manual. He detailed a personal checklist for board members. This included the idea of subordinating personal interest, and also the responsibilities of being a leader, being a team member and being a decision maker. Planning with regard to needs and goals is important for boards. Dr. Gubbels discussed the importance of finances and the responsibilities of the board versus the finance council when budgeting.

 

X        Adjournment

Father Larry moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board.

Next Meeting – April 21