School Board Minutes December 3, 2007

Present: Jack Holmes, Joyce Ray, Tim Kusmierczak, Steve Kassing, Julie Keil, Peggy Reeves, John Felisky, Chuck Stowers, Jacqui Carlson, & John Ross

Absent: Monsignor Mank, Simon Griffin, Kathi Henderson, Anne List, & Brad Sparkman

Others present: Ms. Parker, Mrs. Gasawski & Mrs. Nanney

Call to order: Steve Kassing called the meeting to order.

Opening prayer: Peggy Reeves

November minutes: Change next meeting date from Tuesday to Monday. Under Building & Grounds, change the put under bullet three to but. Motion made to approve by Julie Keil, seconded by Tim Kusmierczak. Motion approved.

Assignment of prayer for December: Joyce Ray

Corrspondence

Letter of resignation of Bernie Molloy.
Communication of approval of new announcement system.
Comments from parents about Joe Gonet’s Wine Tasting notice in the newsletter.
Letter of resignation from Anne List from the school board.

Old Business

None

New Business

30 Year School Anniversary – Next year we will celebrate this anniversary. Julie commented that this would be a great time to capitalize on the PR for the school. Steve suggested Simon and the PR committee could really make this a positive PR for the school. Julie suggested having the Bishop visit.

Msgr. Mank:

No Report.

Principal's Report

We have a new calling system. The system was purchased and has been used already. All numbers are called at once, busy calls are tried again. Only five numbers were not reached when used last week. It cost $22.00 every time the system is used. The time for the program runs from 6:00am – 9:00pm.
Last Friday the eighth graders went to the Fox and saw The Christmas Carol.
Mrs. Stahlhut’s mother is ill and in the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers.
We have a new teacher in fourth grade, Mrs. Hudson.
Joe Gonet has expressed some interest in leaving and has gotten Mr. Sidwell to take over for the rest of the year. Mr. Marchbanks is also willing to help.
The Wine tasting Party is this Friday.
Teresa Rendleman reported that so far the auction has made $37.000.
We are eligible for a textbook loan from the state.
Next Thursday is Mass and the Red Cross will be doing a presentation afterwards.
The Eighth grade class will be putting on a play next Thursday, The Only Christmas Pageant in Town. At 1:00pm during the day and at 7:00pm in the evening.
The children will be receiving confessions during the advent season.
The 13th is the Advent Concert for grandparents during the day and the 17th in the evening for the parents.
Thursday the 20th is the Bishop’s Mass. The blood drive and Market day is also that afternoon.
The school dismisses on the 21st at 11:15. School resumes on Jan. 3rd.

Teacher’s Report

No report

PTU

No Report

Finance

Balance Sheet – No real change
Review Profit & Loss Budget Performance – Everything looks solid. Mr. Holmes asked about payroll expenses, because we will be having a teacher for 20 days for possible enrichment or remedial work with children who may need it. Under income, Julie updated fundraising and has estimated we are a little under than what was budgeted through October. It was also discussed how hard it is to really reconcile the Scrip account which falls under fundraising.
Profit & Loss Year Comparison –Tuition lower due to less students. Discrepancies in class activities which include field trips may be because of timing issues. Building utilities are down for the year.

Buildings and Grounds

Discussed when we might be able to get hot water heater for the two wings. Jack says it is being worked on.

Development

The spring fundraiser is a definite go.
We are also researching a Crazy Bowl. Possible dates are Feb. 16th or March 15th. The board suggested getting approval from Monsignor before proceeding.
We are actively looking for someone to take over Scrip & Auction.

Public Relations

No Report.

Planning Committee

No report

Grants

Denied for the mobile computer lab.
Have broken down the outdoor classroom into smaller grants to try and secure something.
We are waiting to hear back from the Blues with dates. It might also be able to help with the deficit from our fundraising.
Working on a grant for the Camp Ondessonk trip with the Il Dept. of Natural Resources.

Policy

Discussed uniform policy. The committee will be looking into other schools to compare dates for shorts.
Checked to see if all policy books are updated. Bring books to the next meeting. What do we want to do with the electronic copy of the policy? Discuss if we want to make it

Miscellaneous:

Carol Klinger from the technology committee needs someone mainly to be a liaison with the board to help with communication fast direct, etc. John is volunteering.
We need to find someone to be a LAP (Legislature Action Personnel) person to coordinate legislation information for the school. Joyce volunteered with John Felisky as back up.
John Ross had a positive comment about former SJN student who were involved in a production of The Nutcracker and the amount of students who came to support them.
Steve also thanked Monsignor for all his hard work as administrator.

Closing Prayer: Peggy Reeves

Next meeting: Monday, January 7th, 2008.