SJN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES September 8, 2008

Present: Jack Holmes, Steve Kassing, Simon Griffin, Jacqui Carlson, Angela Janini, Peggy Reeves, Tim Kusmierczak, Jennifer Parker, Monsignor Mank, Michele Sheahan, Joyce Ray, Prscilla Yasitis, Kathy Coddington, Julie Keil & Kathi Henderson.

Absent: Simon Griffin

Others: Luke Harris, Lynn Lambert, Daniel Blair & Bonnie Gasawski

Call to order: Steve Kassing

Opening Prayer: Tim Kusmierczak

August Minutes: Capitalize the letter "w" in Wednesday. Sept. 9th will be a 1/2 day instead of Sept. 11th. Instead of "The policies on the website," change to "There was discussion of putting the policies on the website." Under Future business, insert the word "to" between the words immediately and inform. Also, change the letter "s" to a "g" to make the word "going." Omit the "r" in September for the next meeting. Change of Minutes approved by Tim Kusmierczak and Kathy Coddington.

October prayer assignment: Michele Sheahan

Corrspondence

None

Old Business

None

New Business

Luke Harris came and gave us a presentation about the Father McGivney Catholic High School. He explained where we are now and where we are going. He will give us an update quarterly to inform us of any progress. He explained that they have 6 committees and would like to add 3 or 4 more. There are members from all parishes on the board. It will be a Catholic First School, not an elite school. Meetings are open and are held in Edwardsville. The announcement of the location of the proptery will be announced when finalized.

Msgr. Mank:

None

Principal's Report

Jack spoke of the new public address system we will be getting in the gym. It is state of the art and will be up and running by the end of the month. It was funded through donations.
Jack referred to Priscilla about the Magazine Drive who said it is going well and on target for this time last year.
October 1st is the date for the Mission Mass this year. It will not be held at the Cathedral due to construction. There will be a limit of 20 people per school because Little Flower, the venue where it will be held is much smaller. If the entire 8th grade class will not be able to attend, nobody will go.
The Respect for Life mass will be held on October 4th at 9:00 am at Holy Family in Granite City. The march will follow at 10:00 am. There will be lunch and a speaker here at school after the march is through.
There will be a back to school dance on Friday the 12th.
Terra Nova testing will take place next week Sept. 15-19.
The Handbook of Catholic Education Policies is on the website.

Teacher’s Report

Terra Nova testing next week for 3rd, 5th and 7th grade classes. The kids are taking practice tests this week.

PTU

No Report

Finance

Steve is still working with Jan and Stacey on numbers for Scrip.

Policy

The goals for the policy committee for the 08-09 school year are:

to convert SJN Policy Manual to a word document.
To revise SJN School Board policies as needed to ensure consistency with the Teacher Handbook, Student-Parent Han dbook, Athletic Handbook, and Diocesan Handbook of Catholic Education Policies.
to revise and update Athletic Handbook

Buildings and Grounds

seal parking lot
A/C heater units
big signs in front
fix sliding board at Neumann Club
landscaping
lines, arrows, fire lane letters
trim trees
brush pile
check and clean roof
clean gutters
tether ball
outdoor classroom (talk to Chuck)
baseball infield
paint crosses in front landscaping
seal cracks in asphalt
need group or classroom to pull weeds in rear landscaping

Development

The overall goal for this year is to maintain and enhance the fundraisers we already have. We will work to improve and build on them.
revamp the auction and word on how it will be run next year; evaluate it and make the transition.
discuss further as a committee how we want the Spring Fling to be run for this year and bring back ideas to the board.

Public Relations

develop and produce a new school brochure: target completion and publication date end of first quarter
continue with regular media placement of news worthy articles on school activities.
complete the preparation of the Insider's Guide to SJN; this is well on the way and needs to be driven to completion.
develop and implement plan to increase school visibility in parishes
revisit Open House activies with a view to increase marketing effort after the February registration cutoff date.

Planning Committee

None

Grants

get with Mr. SStowers and close out weather station grant
get more people involved in grant writing process
possibly meet with faculty to get an idea of their needs
would like to get a grant to supply 3 or more classrooms with a smart board
get all 3 parishes to apply for grants for Camp Ondessonk for extra funding

Miscellaneous:

Steve welcomed Angela anini as the new board member from MPH
Golf Classic was successful. there were 35 foursomes that participated. The numbers are probably down due to the effects of the economy.

Closing Prayer: Tim Kusmierczak

Next Meeting: October 6, 2008