SJN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES September 14, 2009

Present: Jack Holmes, Steve Kassing, Father Pat Jakel, Jennifer Hudson, Kathy Coddington, Priscilla Yasitis, Michele Sheahan, Jeff Benware, Simon Griffin, Julie Keil, Joyce Ray, Elise Stewart, William "Skip" Larkin

Absent: Angela Janini, Jacqui Carlson

Others: Mrs. Parker

Call to order: Steve Kassing

Introduction of Board Members – Introduced new MPH board member -Skip Larkin

Opening Prayer: Michele Sheahan

October Prayer Assignment: Mrs. Hudson

Changes to August minutes: Minor changes were made.

Minutes approved:1st by Julie, 2nd by Priscilla

Corrspondence

Mr. Holmes received a letter from Madison County Transit-regarding their youth pass, its uses and information on a new pass for students. He questioned whether it should be in newsletter. The suggestion was made to let parents know about the pass and that more information is available through the office

Old Business

None

New Business

None

Committe Reports and Proposals:

Canonical Adminstrator

Father Jakel is enjoying chapel masses with the children 3rd-8th with 1 each week in addition to weekly all school mass. This allows him to have time with each age level. The students participate well during catechesis. Prayer services with K-2 will be added after Christmas. Communal penance service will replace the next mass.

Principal's Report

Moved the lectionary out in the lobby. Mr. Holmes also mentioned they are working on adding a candle as well.
Mr. Holmes asked if anyone had attended the New Board Members Training session. Elise Stewart had attended the meeting and recommended going in the future if you had never attended. She offered to prepare a handout for us to look at in a future meeting.
Funds- Safety Grant money- some has been salvaged- $9.00 per student verses the $36.00 per student will be received.
The school has also been rekeyed. Gym will have only 1 key. Security system is close to being completed. Keys will still be available for sign out on a temporary basis.
Mr. Holmes suggested possibly having the weekly newsletter posted on the web site only rather than sending a paper copy home.
If web site items need to be published they need to be sent to the Web Master - Mike Woolsey after they have been approved.
A discussion opened as to who should be monitoring what goes online and how critical updates about school events and fund raisers get onto the web site. A recommendation was made to give the office staff access to updating site. It was also requested that we confirm having all parish web sites linked to our school web site.
Mr. Holmes reported they are working on reorganizing and cleaning the empty rooms. The Music room will also be a meeting room.
9/11 ceremony was held to remember those who were lost.
The students are leading the Morning Prayer in principal’s office.
Mr. Holmes requested names for the prayer list so that it may be updated.
Mr. Holmes mentioned the PTU meeting would be September 15th at 7:00 and asked Elise Stewart to give a PTU update. She shared upcoming events including the Mouse Races and Innsbook fund raiser. She also mentioned the September and October meetings would offer child care at Neumann Club.

Teacher’s Report

Student Council Elections were held. We can look for something to be in the newsletter each month from Student Council. Student Council members: President- Josh Keil, Secretary - Taylor Thompson, 8th Grade Representatives - Ben Warnecke and Katie Rengering. 7th Grade - Riley Mushill and Elizabeth Ross, Jacob Eggering and Andrew Perry. 6th Grade- Tatiana Kokotovich and Danny Ratulowski. 5th Grade- Sarah Maller and Mallory Mushill.
Magazine Drive school profit was around $17,250.

Committees

Goals were submitted along with a list of members.

Finance

Summary statement for prior fiscal year in comparison to actual was reviewed. Approximately $302,300 dollars of debt remains with an anticipated pay off in 2012. There is $8500.00 budgeted a month to pay off the debt.
Golf tournament will be down approximately $5000 from last year’s total.
Scrip program reconciliation was within approximately $600 of the goal. A discussion will be had about having a better way to keep track of the Scrip fund raiser.
Father Pat recommended having Scrip order forms placed in bulletin or online.
A discussion was held as to how to make the scrip a more effective program. It was agreed that there were deeper issues that needed to be explored along with this program. Julie recommended reinstall faith formation committee to pursue the topics that need to be addressed. Steve recommended that Skip head the committee.
Steve thanked Pricilla for her magazine drive effort.

Policy

Joyce reported that a request was received to review the dress code. The request was for the black to be added as a choice for leggings. The request also asked that the requirement for school uniforms to be purchased from Famously Yours be removed.
Through the discussion it was decided the dress code policy should be reviewed, but the requirement for uniforms to be purchased from Famously Yours would remain.

Buildings and Grounds

Tim Kusmierczak will stay on the committee.
Mr. Holmes shared at Orientation Night a Kindergarten parent Albert Walker offered to take care of the landscaping in the back of the building. Kathy and her committee will meet with them when they are ready.
Mrs. Hudson reported that Christ Brothers did take a look at the lot and said the seams looked good, but it does need to be sealed. Mr. Holmes and Mr. Kassing asked if she would contact them again and see if they were familiar with a product called Reclamite which was applied in 2007.
Tim Krumm reviewed the parking lot and said it looked good and suggested sealing it next summer.

Development

Julie presented a schedule of fund raisers that happen throughout the year and what fund they benefit.
Julie reported the committee was interested in a succession plan for the Spring Fling. The recommendation was made for the 1st and 6th grade classes to be the facilitators. 3rd and 4th grade already have the auction. 5th grade could be a break year.
Motion was made to create a succession plan for the Spring Fling by assigning the event to the 1st and 6th grade classes for the fiscal year 2010-2011. Approved: 1st by Julie Keil, 2nd by Priscilla Yasitis; None Opposed; Motion Passed
Julie also mentioned the committee was still discussing and researching mandatory participation requirements.
Suggestions were given on how to make participation stronger for the Spring Fling event. Mr. Holmes mentioned Carol Clinger at MPH was interested in organizing older parishioners to help at the school. Father Pat suggested having parishioners who do not have children at SJN, but are willing to participate in Spring Fling join in.

Public Relations

Simon raised the question as to where the Public Relations committee fit. The obvious areas are Open House and Newsletters. Should they be part of reviewing the contents of the school web site? The initial goal of the committee should be to share a positive message with the community. A committee meeting will be set soon to discuss this further.

Planning/survey

None

Grant Writing

Priscilla has talked with John Ross and he is willing to share his knowledge. They will be working on getting the Camp Ondessonk Grant. She also has other people helping her look for grants.
She is investigating whether you can reapply for the Ameren UE Electric Relief $5000.00 grant.

Technology Liaison

None

Future Business

None

Closing Prayer – Michele Sheahan

Next Meeting: Monday, October 5th