SJN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES January 4, 2010

Present: Canonical Administrator Father Pat Jakel, Principal Jack Holmes, Steve Kassing, Angela Janini, Jacqui Carlson, Elise Stewart, Jennifer Hudson, Kathy Coddington, , Michele Sheahan, William "Skip" Larkin, Simon Griffin, Julie Keil, Joyce Ray

Absent: Jeff Benware, Priscilla Yasitis

Others: Mrs. Bonnie Gasawski, Mrs. Jennifer Baird, Mrs. Sue Stahlhut

Call to order: Steve Kassing

Opening Prayer: Simon Griffin

February Prayer Assignment: Joyce Ray

Changes to August minutes: Minor change

Minutes approved:Minutes approved:1st by Julie Keil 2nd by Elise Stewart

Corrspondence

Priscilla Yasitis has requested to step down from the St. John Neumann School Board.
Famously Yours Uniform Company sent a letter stating there will be no price increases for 2010-2011 school year. We will continue using their services.
Maryville Outreach Center sent a letter thanking students for stuffed socks.
Notes expressing thanks for the holiday bonus and meal were sent by –Mrs. Lyn Lambert, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Sue Stahlhut, and Mrs. Bonnie Gasawski.
Mr. Holmes also expressed his thanks for the meal and monetary gift.
Father McGivney Board has asked Mr. Holmes to work with their board in their search for a principal for the new high school. Mr. Holmes has agreed to assist.

Old Business

Julie Keil shared an update on the development of suggested volunteer requirements.
Development committee met with Father Pat in December to come up with a proposal for Suggested Volunteerism Requirements: (handout given which stated the following)

Minimum purchase of 1,800.00 of Script for the school year.
Minimum of 20 hours of time donated throughout the school year for fundraising activities.
Sell a minimum of 20 raffle tickets for the Spring Fling.
Each family has a buy out option of $400.00

Discussion Points:
1. The items listed above are totals per family.

2. Suggesting implementing in 2010-2011 school year.

3. Discuss PR role out of this policy.

4. Review what qualifies for 20 hours of fundraising activities.

5. Details of Spring Fling raffle to be determined by Spring Fling Committee.

6. Each family required to track their hours and would require signatures of Committee Chair.

Julie suggested this would go out during registration for the 2010-2011 school year.

Father Pat also shared the contract St. Elizabeth’s parents would sign, which outlined the details of requirements for Scrip, Calendars sales, and service hours at the picnic. Differences were noted such as the school offers no Scrip rebate for Scrip purchases made, difference in tuition cost. They also had worked very hard over the years to come up with a fair buy out rate and pro-rating chart depending on the number of hours served. The tuition contract also included a definition of a parishioner.

Through discussion, a number of suggestions came up:

• Allowing those who could not afford to participate in purchasing Scrip or other fund raising programs to provide additional service hours.

• It was suggested that a specific number of hours are specifically dedicated to major fund raisers such as Auction and Spring Fling.

• The concern of rolling this program out without a proper public relations plan. Making sure everyone understands that we recognize that people are sharing their time and talent which is very valuable. Nothing is really changing, but something needs to be in writing to share what we are doing. We want to make sure everyone is sharing an equal load. Having this information in advance will also allow us to budget.

• It was suggested to consider setting the buy outs at appropriate levels to make a winning situation for all.

• Father Pat suggested focus on one or two items for this year and add as the years go on.

A motion was made by Julie Keil.

For 2010-2011 school year, it is recommended by the School Board and the Spring Fling committee to incorporate in the registration letter the implementation of volunteer service requirements. 20 hours of volunteer time is required with 6 of those hours to be dedicated to Spring Fling. Families will be required to sell a minimum of 20 raffle tickets for the Spring Fling. A buy out option of $1000.00 will be available or possibly a pro-rated amount if a family can not fulfill their commitment. Exceptions to policy can be discussed with Mr. Holmes.

1st Skip Larkin

2nd Angela Janini

All were in favor and motion passed.

New Business

Terra Nova Scores were passed out by Mr. Holmes.

Questions regarding the scores can be directed to Mrs. Stahlhut and Mrs. Baird.
Mr. Holmes shared it is a norm references test which is compared nationally.
Some of the test items meet the Illinois State Learning Standards this helps ensure the Illinois State Learning Standards are met.
The test also helps determine how the curriculum is working.
It assists teachers in identifying students who need remedial help and those that need to be challenged.
This is the 2nd year for this version of the test.
Steve commented that the board had been approached last year with concerns as to if the current 5th grade class was actually learning. Their scores were actually better than the current 6th grade class. Confirmation that learning was taking place.

Committe Reports and Proposals:

Canonical Adminstrator

Father Jakel
Thanked Board for meal and Christmas gift.
He shared regrets that he was not at the Advent Concert and Wine tasting. He wants to be at as many school events as possible.

Principal's Report

Bob Emig Foundation Night- Blues game January 30th
Final 8th grade Basketball games are Tuesday. A non-uniform day will be given on Friday to all students who attend.
Monday Jan 18th No School - Martin Luther King Day
PTU Jan 19th
Mr. Holmes will be at an Administrators Academy Jan 20th
Blood Drive and Market Day Jan 28th
Jan 29th – Parent Faculty V.S. 8th grade
Sunday, January 31st will be Open House
Sunday Jan 31st Catholics Week Begins – Friday Feb 5th. Theme is “Dividends for Life”- emphasis on faith, knowledge, discipline and morals.
Two more Promethean boards will be installed tomorrow in 2nd and 3rd grade.
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

Staff Luncheon at Our Lady of the Snows for the holidays was very nice and enjoyed by all.
Student Council finished up Small Victories Donations.
Catholics at the Capital –Last year student council went, but this year they want to have parents, parishioners, or priest to come to the event. The event is March 3rd if anyone is interested in going to represent our school the deadline is February 15th.
Collinsville K of C – had a poster contest- 1st place- 2nd grade - Rob Bucks, 2nd place Jonathen Ray – 6th grade, 3d place Brooke Heinlein- 6th grade.
Ms. Sillery will get 100 books donated to the school through WilBooks.

Committees

Finance

Reviewed the November financial packet.
Auction profit is about $55,000- a few bills are still being paid and a few sales are still coming in as well.
Updated report from the Finance Committee will be shared on Feb. 1st.

Policy

Dress code should be signed by Father Pat. Put changes in the newsletter for parents so they are aware.
Joyce will get Standard Operating Procedures paperwork to the Faith Formation Committee for them to complete.

Buildings and Grounds

They will be meeting this month.
Will be looking into filling in a hole in the asphalt.

Development

Julie passed out a fund raising update.

Public Relations

Plan for open house is January 31st.
There will be a 2nd Open House later in the year.

Planning/survey

84 were currently completed.
Survey will be reopened until Friday at 5:00 P.M.

Grant Writing

None

Technology Liaison

Lab will be restocked with 30 new computers.

Faith Formation

Feedback is being gathered from the teachers.
Possible survey parishes on parish school relations.
Concerns that came up at MPH meeting – 2nd grade sacramental preparation.

Future Business

March 1st will be discussion of budget.
April 4th – finalize budget, nominations for President, Vice President, and Secretary.

Closing Prayer – Simon Griffin

Next Meeting: Monday, February 1st