St. Patrick’s School Board Minutes

December 11, 2006

Present:  Don Ridder, Kimberly Fangman, Jackie Coco, Pat Adler, Cindy Engel, Staci Witkowski, Steve Morrissey, Charlie Olson, and Wendy Anderson

We began with a prayer and approval of last month’s minutes.

Home and School Committee

Staci reported the recent Scrip drive has been highly successful with $24,000 in sales (the goal was $15,000). Home and School gave teachers $100 for supply reimbursement, and the Christmas Elves project has been progressing well.

Religious Formation

Jackie reported the Circle of Grace program has begun.

Finance and Development Committees

Don reported that a committee of four -- including Father Ron and John Dunn -- has been formed to determine how to progress with the new Capital Campaign and building construction.

Archdiocesan School Board:  No report.

Facilities

Don recapped again that the portables for next year will be placed directly south of the school.

Safety Committee:  No report.

Continuous Improvement Committee

Pat reported that the CIP had met to discuss survey letters, which will be sent out in January. The purpose of these letters is to determine what school families know about our school and what aspects of our school may need to be better emphasized. Don said his plan is to construct comprehensive brochures for each grade to be used for marketing and informational purposes.

We then discussed revising the admission policy. Kimberly gave everyone a revised version of the policy that focused on stewardship as the primary criterion when determining admission. The policy would state that a stewardship card must be on file before a child will be allowed to register. Wendy mentioned we may need to more clearly define “stewardship,” as many people think of only financial giving when they hear this term. Staci suggested we combine the Home and School committee opportunity list with the stewardship card list, so we are not being redundant in asking people to serve. Steve mentioned that if we were to outline all H & S stewardship opportunities on the card, we would also need to consider adding the numerous RF and athletic committee opportunities, among others, which could be problematic.

Don said he would like this pattern established: 1) stewardship cards would be secured on file in mid-winter, then 2) we would follow up with Registration Weekend in the spring, at which time people could follow through with their stewardship intentions and sign up for ways to give time, talent, and treasure.

Cindy suggested that #5 in the list of determining criteria (“The family has students planning to attend our K-8th grade program”) be switched around with #6 (“The family is Catholic, non-parishioner”). All board members agreed to this change. We also agreed to add the following wording in #6:  “... date of school application and availability of parish school will be taken into account.” This was in response to Wendy’s suggestion that non-St. Pat. parishioners without schools at their parishes should be given consideration over parishioners with schools available at their parish.

In the information describing Stewardship Responsibilities, we also agreed to change the wording to reflect that families wanting to register with parishioner status will need to consider these admission criteria. Any student can register for our school, but those who want the parishioner tuition rate will need to consider our policy. We also agreed to add “time, talent, and treasure” in parentheses after “stewardship” and to change the dates requiring the stewardship card on file from December to January.

We tabled a vote until the next meeting, so Kimberly can make these revisions.

Communication Committee

Don reported that Father Ron was opposed to erecting a new parish sign. His philosophy was that the school and parish already do an excellent job of conveying information through our website. He also felt the sign might be an eyesore. Don added that the expense of the sign is also a consideration.

Charlie mentioned that he had seen used signs for a fraction of the new cost that could work for our school/parish. He also volunteered to donate one of his old business signs if he is able to upgrade to an electronic one. He suggested we open to the parish the opportunity to donate a sign.

Cindy added that each parish/school event requires a number of small signs for publicity, and she felt the money spent on those might be better put toward a parish/school sign.

Don suggested we table this issue until the March meeting, and all agreed.

Principal’s Report

Don reported the following information.

• He is working on a rotation schedule for students in the portables next year. The teachers seem enthused about the possibilities.
• In looking at the staff plans for next year, Don noted that we will have two Spanish teachers, one handling K-5 and the other handling 6-8. We will add a full-time library TA and hopefully, a half-time art teacher who would visit each class at least once a week. Don would also like to add a full-time High Abilities Learner/Technology teacher to challenge the students.
  Cindy volunteered to investigate grants for art teachers through the Nebraska Arts Council. She had also heard of Joslyn Art Museum providing free art instruction, and she would check on that, as well. Charlie mentioned that his sister, a former art teacher, would be a good contact, and Cindy said she would call her, also.
• Don mentioned that the accreditation team had visited St. Patrick’s and been very impressed, even suggesting that we apply for Blue Ribbon status. Don credited the teachers for the school’s success.
• Don shared the activities that would happen during Catholic Schools Week January 29-February 2. He wanted to mention that the Thursday of that week would be devoted entirely to service, with each class serving in different capacities throughout the community.
• Don handed out copies of Hand in Hand, the school newsletter, and wanted to commend the Gallup Organization for printing our full-color newsletter. It looks wonderful!

We closed with a prayer. Our next meeting will be January 8 at 6:30 in the school library.

Respectfully,

Kimberly Fangman, School Board Secretary