Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

Board of Education – St Theresa

I.  Executive

II. Prayer  Cindy Mumm

III. Open Forum  no parties present; Mrs. Stemler proposed to switch Mrs. Hingtgen and Mrs. Sullivan’s report from New Business to Open Forum to facilitate the teachers’ schedules.
Motion: Geri McMahon
2^nd Kelly Coleman

• Intermediate Team Teaching approach presented to board by Mrs. Hingtgen & Mrs. Sullivan.
• Mrs. Stemler would like everyone to acknowledge to Intermediate teachers’ continued flexibility and perseverance on the team teaching approach. Logistical issues are being worked on in Mrs. Faber and Miss Mielke’s room, possibly adding 2^nd teacher’s desk.
• P-B-S- positive behavior system being used throughout school. Students are awarded green tickets when positive behavior is witnessed. Students are catching on and enjoying the system. Focusing on being faithful, responsible, respectful, and safety.
• Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Hingtgen report team teaching includes the 4^th and 5^th graders, and “so far, so good”. Students and teachers seem to be adjusting well. Mrs. Hingtgen enjoys being able to greet each student from both 4^th and 5^th grade by name, now that she has all students for Math.
• Core teachers for Science, Social Studies, Math, and Language Arts. Subject resources and materials are now located in the core teachers rooms. Allows teachers to locate additional teaching materials in a timely fashion
• Classes are taking turn with students in the ‘Smart Board Room.”   Team approach is allowing teachers to integrate subjects across curriculum, citing a survey that students did, and then power point was utilized to analyze results of survey.
• Mrs. Sullivan notes reading and grammar are separated this year to spend more time on the grammar portion. Home teachers will work with students’ spelling.
• Edline will be increasingly used to further facilitate communications with Intermediate parents.

IV. Acceptance of August minutes

Changes:  Section V, paragraph C, spelling of  “Mielke” corrected

Section IX, paragraph C, board members will rotate prayer responsibilities.

Motion Fr Larry            2^nd  Cindy Mumm

V. Administrators’ Reports

A. Director of Faith Formation

• Kathy Wipf: Wednesday Faith Formation has 127 students, decrease from last year, due in part to a  large outgoing 8^th grade class and a decline in 2^nd to 3^rd graders.
• 13 catechists and 2 assistants. Catechists’ certificates have arrived and will be present to catechists on Sept. 30, 2009.
• Dr. Tom Neal gave presentation to WFF parents on the Mass, which was wells received, hope to invite Dr. Neal again.
• Sunday school in session. 11 students with 2 mothers in charge.
• First Reconciliation meeting will be September 23^rd. The sacrament of First Reconciliation scheduled for November 10 & 12, 2009.
• Confirmation meetings will be held October 7, 2009 for parents and 7^th graders. 8^th graders, parents and sponsors to attend Confirmation meeting on October 14, 2009. Confirmation will be celebrated April 12, 2010.
• First Communion will be celebrated May 1&2, 2010.                                   

B. Parish Manager  

• Assisted with 3^rd Annual Hog Roast
• HVAC unit had a leak which was repaired and unit is now functioning.
• Old cafeteria tables were sold on Craigslist with assistance from Jane Kouri. Tables were sold to Dallas County Fair Board.
• Suggestion from parent to use all natural lawn botanicals under consideration
• Repairs on kitchen water heater.
• Vacations of parish personnel are scheduled for September and October.
• Wiring between parish office and church has been completed. Would allow for computer systems in the church.
• Tuition billing is being worked on.  Bob is working with Sherry to verify band students and students who ride the bus. Budget is “work in progress” Increase in number of students to 334. Bob has received calls as a result of letter sent by Mrs. Stemler in regard to billing questions.
• Question regarding placement of hand sanitizers on walls in classrooms, and hallway. Advised that alcohol based sanitizers are not being allowed by Diocese due to potential of alcohol ingestion/intoxication.  If suitable option is found for non alcohol based sanitizer then would consider installing on walls in each classroom. Using Rejuvanl (anti viral cleaning agent) which cannot be used in food prep areas.
• Billing issues remain a problem. Question about accounts that were annual pay vs. unpaid accounts. ACH issues and system issues cited. Question as to how many of the 52 problem accounts resolved. Potentially 8 of 50 have been resolved. Mailing issues recently discovered with letters that were to be sent out to parents will account issues.
• Mrs. Stemler cited that Executive Session needs to be called if personnel issues are discussed. 
  
  Motion  David Chiodo
  2^nd Kelly Coleman
  Executive Session called to order at 6:35 and in session until 7:25pm

            C. School Administrator  

• Foster grandparents program through VNS. Three times per week 5 hours per day, mentoring students.
• Provided data on Student Ethnicity and Religion. Enrollment by grade level, and billing systems used by other Des Moines Catholic Schools
• Total of 334 students, with 20 non Catholic students.
• Mr. Gaffney is taking STS students monthly to Connection Café allows for teaching during ride to site, and also allows time for reflection after working with people at Connection Café.
• Project Hope information unavailable at this time due to Dr. Guebbels being out of office.
• Dismissal changes to facilitate safety of STS students. Parents are reminded that only Pre-K parents should be using the circle drive near the church. Parents should not be dropping students off in bus lanes on Cara Carpenter Avenue. Extra staff and faculty are outside during dismissals to keep students safe. Volunteers are needed with drop off area in the morning, great way to meet and visit with parents. Also working in conjunction with Windsor School Principal for parking lot/dismissal issues.
• No school on 21 September due to professional development.
• Working on Core Beliefs/Values. Working on action plan and hope to have completed within 6-7 weeks.
• Blue Ribbon School – Deadline dates for 2010 were to be released on September 25.
• Working on marketing items with Des Moines Diocese. School goal to pull more Pre-K students in STD Kindergarten.
• Parents always encouraged visiting the school and seeing what their students are accomplishing.
• Edline databases are ready to go. Middle School teachers will post info on Edline within 2 weeks. If there are issues please contact Mrs. Stemler. Middle School Faith Formation is using blog to share the great ideas and reflections from the Middle School Students.
• Smart Board contests with HyVee, chances for local schools to win SmartBoard.
• ODR- office discipline report. Also Mr. Grandon has application that uses data to classify what type of specific behavior occurred, where did it occur, is certain class having more issues. This will allow for additional assistance if needed. Using PBS with green tickets has been helpful

D. Other 

• Forms- created by Steve Kouri
• Policy Reviews-conducted by Kelly Coleman, Rachael Seymour, and Geri McMahon. Changes presented to Board for approval.  ( see Section VII and Addendum I  for changes to policies)
• Committee Reports
• PTC:  Cindy Mumm- PTC Meeting. Stampede is under way. Chairpersons are needed for the Flower Sale, Bingo, and Casino Night. Suggestion made to open up chairs to parish members. Possibly posting this in bulletin.
• Athletics: Steve Kouri- Softball teams are young group of students, great potential. Discussed upcoming 6^th grade basketball tournament. Possibly considering using kitchen sale proceeds for funding athletic programs at STS. Long-term goal of raising $10K to fund athletic program.

VII. Unfinished (Old Business) Business

A         Policy Review:  Kelly, Geri, and Rachael.                        
Review of Policies 350-396 conducted. (See Addendum I for changes)  

1. 270 Fund Raisers – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd  Tom
2. 280 Childcare Payments – motion to table Geri/2^nd Dave
3. 300 Personnel – Professional Contract - motion to approve changes  Geri/2^nd Cindy
4. 310 Personnel – Experience and Education Credit – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
5. 320  Contract Days – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
6. 330 Part time Teachers’ Contract Responsibilities – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
7. 340  Faculty and Staff Evaluation – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
8. 345  Contract Release – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly    
9. 350 Personnel Sick Leave – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
10. 360 -Personnel Leave of Absence-motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Cindy
11. 370 Personal Funeral Leave – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
12. 380 Personnel Personal Leave – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
13. 390 Personnel Maternity Leave – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Father Larry
14. 395 Personnel Jury Duty – motion to approve changes Geri/2^nd Kelly
15. 396 Personnel Military Duty – Further review needed.  Motion to table David/2^nd Cindy.
16. David Chiodo volunteering to review and will present proposed changes to Board at October meeting

            B. Mission/Visioning

Work will continue through school year. Continue to meet with Jim Verlengia to work with core beliefs and values for mission/visioning process
  Mission – educate, who and why
  Vision – where we want to be in the future

VIII.  Committee Reports- see Section VI

  IX. New Business 

A. Rachael reminds Board Members that emails among members need to  be polite, civil, and positive in  tone.  Everyone is on the same team.  Rachael encourages all members to attend Diocesan training for school board members. Training is very meaningful and helpful

B. Board Goals: possibly vote online prior to next Board Meeting. Board meeting had to be switched due to STS conferences

C. Administrative Goals: Bring to October meeting           

                                                           

X.  Adjournment 9:20 pm

Motion Fr Larry
2^nd Kelly Coleman

Next meeting date is Tuesday, October 13, 2009*- Note date change due to STS Conferences.