Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes


Tuesday, June 22 2010   5:45 PM

Attendees

 

Title

Name

Board Members

Ellen Stemler, Kelly Coleman, Rachael Seymour, Geri McMahon, Steve Kouri, Tom McCarthy, Cindy Mumm, Rob Jackson, Jeremy Rogers, Kathy Wipf, Guthrie Dolan, Jim Wainwright

Absent

Fr. Larry Hoffmann, Randy Mordini, Bob Wrobel

Guests

Veronica Degen, Paul Degen, Tonya Eaton

Secretary

Lisa Bourne

 

 I     Prayer-  5:48

 

II   Open Forum/Visitors’ comments  5:50

     Regarding the possibility of consolidating classes, Tonya requested consideration for equitability in determining class size. Tonya expressed concern over having some classes with approximately 25 students at the same time when there might be other classes with 11 or 12 students.

      

 III  Acceptance of June Agenda  5:51

     Add Election of New Officers under New Business. Geri made a motion to approve the amended agenda, which was seconded by Kelly an approved by the Board. 

      

 IV  Approval of Minutes from May meeting  5:53

    Amend wording under Old Business, Angela Wolfe, Nutrition Director, to, “The Farm to School federal grant program that would fund a parish and school community garden had been applied for.” Further, under Administrators Reports, Parish Manager, strike the portion of Bob’s report regarding Walt Phipps. Steve moved to approve the amended May minutes, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board.    

      

 V Introduction of new board members 5:57

    Jim Wainwright was introduced and welcomed.     

 

VI Administrators’ Reports

A.   Director of Faith Formation 5:58  

      Kathy spoke about high school catechesis that had been recommended by Bishop Pates. Jon Gaffney had already begun implementing part of the recommended programming. Kathy gave an example of the coming Roman Missal changes. Totus Tuus registration was discussed.

B.   Parish Manager 6:07

     Bob’s report had been shared electronically prior to the meeting. Ellen and Tom had received an email from Bob shortly the meeting stating that Brian Jensen advised that the gym floor would need to be redone. The Board discussed the floor. Ellen shared that as a result of the diocesan accountants’ recent work on tuition billing, it had been determined that over 50% of school billing had errors. Billing was discussed. Jeremy moved that the Board recommend that Bob not be retained in the capacity of Parish Manager, specifically for the purpose school and childcare oversight. Rob seconded the motion, which was approved by the Board, with Jim abstaining.

C.   School Administrator 6:18

     Ellen asked for Board input on the acceptable percentage of tuition write-offs allowed with the new Smart Tuition program. The Board discussed potential percentage numbers. The Board discussed establishment of a nonrefundable registration fee policy, and policy for minimum trimester billing for band and bus to apply in instances where either program is dropped mid-trimester. The Board discussed distribution of Foundation funds. Geri and Rachael would be part of the committee to administer Foundation awards. Libby Stromer had been hired to assist with the current financial review process. Ellen would share the diocesan report when it was completed and made available. The Board discussed Smart Tuition and tuition billing. A part-time position was open at the school for Smart Tuition administration and marketing. With the current 26 registered for pre-k, the enrollment was 289. Des Moines Public Schools had indicated they could refer prospective students to fill pre-k openings, and with the two sections full at 40, enrollment would be 303. Presently 26 current students were not registered. Twenty-eight kindergarten students were registered and two were not. Thirty first-grade students were registered and one not. Twenty-eight third-grade students were registered. Eighteen fourth-grade students were registered and four were not. Thirty-four fifth-grade students were registered and two were not. In seventh and eighth grade each 33 were registered and three were not. The Board discussed enrollment numbers. Ellen would provide a list of families not returning for the Board. Tom and Rob will form a committee to oversee exit interviews.                                                                                     
VII
Old Business

A.   Visioning Process for Parish Council 7:00

      The Board discussed the visioning process. A meeting would be held Monday, June 28 to complete the final phase.  

     

B.   Budget 7:22

      The Budget process had been changed from using projected enrollment numbers to actual numbers, resulting in the school currently showing as over budget for the coming year. Ellen would email a final budget to the Board for review once it was available. There was extensive discussion of the process and timing of teacher contract offering. Ellen requested input from the Board on whether to establish a $500 discount for families with three children enrolled. The Board discussed the discount. Geri moved to approve tuition at $2200, a $100 increase, which was seconded by Jeremy and approved by the Board, with Jim abstaining and Steve opposed. Geri moved to approve the $500 discount for families with three children, which was seconded by Jeremy and approved by the Board, with Jim abstaining. Ellen would contact the Board after Thursday to schedule a budget meeting in July.

     

C.   Smart Tuition update covered earlier in the meeting

 

D.   Diocesan review of all tuition billing covered earlier in the meeting

 

E.   Student handbook revisions 7:06

      Ellen would email to the Board the next morning. The Board discussed the revisions.

 

F.    Calendar 7:14

      The Board reviewed the meeting dates for the coming year. Jim moved to keep the meeting dates on the second Tuesday of the month, which was seconded by Rob and approved by the Board. Ellen would email a new calendar to the Board.

 

VIII New Business

A.   Review of Board of Education Constitution 8:03

     The Board reviewed and discussed the constitution and by-laws. Constitution: Article II Authority and Purpose, Section 1, “This Board is an advisory body…”; Article II, Section 5, C, “Develop, adopt and monitor adherence..”; Article II, Section 5, D, “Advise regarding retention of personnel..”; Article II, Section 5, F, “Advise the appropriate persons in regard to the planning, operation…”; Article III, Section 5, “… shall submit their name to the Board President..”; Article IV, Section 2, “… include the Principal and/or Director of Faith Formation.” Kelly moved approval of the amended Constitution, which was seconded by Tom and approved by the Board. Steve moved to forward the amended Constitution to the diocesan Schools office for approval, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board. Bylaws: Article I: Membership 1, “Prospective members of the Parish over the age of 18 are nominated by submitting his or her name to the Board President…”; Article I: Membership 1, “Paid employees of STS Parish or School, spouses of current Board members, as well as members of the same household of current Board members, are ineligible to be an elected member of the Board. All elected or appointed Board members are subject to final approval of the Pastor.” Article III: Meetings, 1, “There is no meeting in July or December”; Article III, Meetings, 5, “An agenda shall be published by the Friday prior to regularly scheduled meetings.” Jeremy moved approval of the amended Bylaws, which was seconded by Kelly and approved by the Board. Jeremy moved to forward the amended Bylaws to the diocesan office, which was seconded by Jim and approved by the Board.    

B.    Iowa Core 8:43 Ellen asked the Board to review the Iowa Core information, the 2009-10 students data and the 2010-11 professional development-Project CRISS data, and contact her with any questions.

C.   2009-10 Student data See B above

D.   2010-11 professional development-Project CRISS See B above

E.   Election of Board Officers 8:44

      Rachael recused herself as President to nominate Geri for Board President, which was seconded by Cindy and approved by the Board. Kelly nominated Tom for Vice president, which was seconded by Geri and approved by the Board.

 VIIII Adjournment

          Date of next meeting: August 10, 5:45 p.m.

          Kelly moved to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:54, which was seconded by Geri and approved by the Board. The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 9:15.

          

Next Meeting - 5:45 August 10, 2010