December 2014

TBA

November 2014

OLMC School Board Minutes

November 20th, 2014 ­ 6:06 PM to 7:59 PM ­ Cabrini Hall

Members Present: Gary Spoerre, Brad Heard, Mary Belanger, Leigh Gusta­Bedokis, Tom Harness,                                   Marlyn Cairatti, Father Ken, Faye Myatt, Monica Schramm, Brandy Milani, and Amy Weaver


1.0 Opening Prayer -­ Meeting called to order at 6:01. Father Ken led the prayer.

2.0 Approval of Minutes ­- September 1st Leigh & 2nd Gary October 1st Leigh & 2nd Mary

3.0 Pastor's Report ­ Commitment of $200,000 close to $1,000,000 

4.0 Principal's Report
      4.1 Diocesan Iowa Test Results -­ (Categories) Private Schools, Diocese, OLMC numbers.  2nd year of Common Core Testing. 2nd year scores will be lower.  Diocese is very happy with our scores.  Scored about the same as Pinckneyville, if not a little better.  Anything 60 or above is great (Tom Posnanski)
      4.2 Give ACRE Test 8th Grade Results ­- Scored well on Religion, Diocese happy with our scores.     
      4.3 School Committee -­ Raffle tickets going out before Thanksgiving ($20). ­ Calendars are free.  Christmas baskets.
      4.5 Teacher evaluations completed. ­ Going well.­  STEM projects -­ Charlotte Danielson Evaluation
      4.6 Information from Bishop ­
      4.7 Enrollment recruitment and marketing.  ­Committee outline from Diocese.

5.0 Technology Report by Martha ­- Using 20 new chromebooks. ­ Turn them on and go. ­ Learning process ­- 40 new iPad minis. ­ Gained glitches with connectivity. ­ Jeremy is working on a couple of laptops.­ Time donated by assessment and Sollami. ­ Touchcast videos posted on FB.

6.0 Athletics Report ­ Update of all Sports and placement ­- Laundry Detergent Fundraiser in January.  Looking for a Track Coach.

7.0 Old Business

7.1 Food Allergy Management Policy
      7.1.2  Kevin Frost ­- Disagree with policy ­school is community. ­ Don’t disagree with policy.  Suggestion: Take a step back and form a committee and talk about it as a community.  Attended the special session.
      7.1.3  Tiffany Sievers ­- Takes vote from crowd on approval/disapproval. ­ Disagree with policy. ­ Not protected by the law. ­ Each of us would be personally liable. ­ Steve was contacted about liability.

      7.1.4  Margaret Diederich -­ The biggest problem at the school is communication.  Policy changes should go home in an email.  Avoid rumors and stress.  Miss open house.  Work on Community.
      7.1.5  ­Lisa Cochran ­- appalled over response of parents -­ lack of compassion ­kids are learning to have compassion.
      7.1.6­  Kim Camarato - frustrated with lack of teacher on a committee.  Teachers are committed to students.  Teacher will be first responder.  Nut Zone ­- Bringing Peanut Butter | We are partners in education | Many teachers are parents.
      7.1.7  Krista Teckenbrock ­- 4 epi pens in classroom.  Peanut Free campus­.  Kids have special needs.
      7.1.8  Doug Combs - The way it was handled-hearsay-this is a school community. ­ Parents didn't have voice
      7.1.9  Lisa Miller - Agrees with parents and teachers -­ did research and presented recommendations - ­have nurse educate all students not the 10 students ­- why can’t we have the best peanut policy?
      7.1.10  Leigh Bedokis - Child does not eat peanut butter ­community ­emails.
      7.1.11  Father Ken ­In between period ­ give information ­policy is not etched in stone ­trying the best we can ­live by what's right.

8.0 Executive Session:  7:42 PM Closed Meeting:  1st Leigh and 2nd Gary Next Meeting December 18th 

October 2014

OLMC School Board Minutes

October 27th, 2014 - 6:05 PM to 6:57 PM - Cabrini Hall

Members Present: Gary Spoerre, Brad Heard, Mary Belanger, Leigh Bedokis-Gusta, Tom Harness, Marlyn Cairati, Father Ken, Faye Myatt, Monica Schramm, Brandy Milani, and Amy Weaver

1.0 Opening Prayer - Meeting called to order at 6:05 - Gary led prayer

2.0. Opening

5 minutes for board and staff to review

Questions:

Cafeteria or Brought -

Alternative Food -

Epi-pen -

Directory Peanut Free

Changes - RCIA Room to Lower Gym (Approval of majority)

Take C out - After school concessions permitted (Approval of majority)

Clarification on Pre Packaged food for after school (Approval of majority)

Number 10 - Bringing pre packaged food, but has to be consumed off of property (Approval of majority)

St. Joseph’s concerns:

Reasonable accommodations for private schools

Compromise / Education

2.0 Executive Session

Voting:

Tom motion

Gary second

6 approve

2 oppose

First Reading: November 20th 6:00 PM

8 Votes

Motion to close - Leigh

Brad seconds

Meeting closes at 6:57

Next Meeting November 20th

Special School Board Session

OLMC School Board Minutes

October 27th, 2014 - 6:05 PM to 6:57 PM - Cabrini Hall

Members Present: Gary Spoerre, Brad Heard, Mary Belanger, Leigh Bedokis-Gusta, Tom Harness, Marlyn Cairati, Father Ken, Faye Myatt, Monica Schramm, Brandy Milani, and Amy Weaver

1.0 Opening Prayer - Meeting called to order at 6:05 - Gary led prayer

2.0. Opening

5 minutes for board and staff to review

Questions:

Cafeteria or Brought -

Alternative Food -

Epi-pen -

Directory Peanut Free

Changes - RCIA Room to Lower Gym (Approval of majority)

Take C out - After school concessions permitted (Approval of majority)

Clarification on Pre Packaged food for after school (Approval of majority)

Number 10 - Bringing pre packaged food, but has to be consumed off of property (Approval of majority)

St. Joseph’s concerns:

Reasonable accommodations for private schools

Compromise / Education

2.0 Executive Session

Voting:

Tom motion

Gary second

6 approve

2 oppose

First Reading: November 20th 6:00 PM

8 Votes

Motion to close - Leigh

Brad seconds

Meeting closes at 6:57

Next Meeting November 20th

October 2014

OLMC School Board Meeting   10/16/14

Tiffany Sievers – against the proposed policy, thinks the allergy is a disability, a lot of nutritional value to peanut butter… should set up a peanut free zone to keep the kids with allergens – policy should meet the needs of the few while not being overly restrictive to all the others.  Does not like the label of “peanut free” for our school, this is a Catholic school.  These kids need to learn how to deal with it, the real world is this restrictive and we don’t want them to get the false impression that this is a safe place.

Kay Gabbe – son has severe peanut allergy… doesn’t believe this is a disability, it is a life-threatening condition… provided the board with a lot of info.  Worries about the separation that will take place if they are singled-out for their allergy.

Mr. Harrison – education is the key, and is the key to increasing awareness… but because we have community functions and athletic events on campus, it will be difficult to effectively enforce.

Lisa Miller – agrees that this will be difficult and suggests that we assemble a medical council to teach parents, students, teachers about these life threatening conditions… based on contacts with other schools, it is important that you attempt to be peanut-aware, but it will be difficult to be peanut-free… being peanut free opens you up to liability if there is a breech… there is also possibly a cost concern for replacing the peanut products we currently have in our school lunch program… contacted schools in our diocese about students with peanut allergies and presented several options such as prepackaged PBJ sandwiches and allergy tables to help protect the children… keeping our children safe is our main priority.

Shirlene Carnage representing Charlotte ? – they make peanut cookies in the kitchen and wonder where they stand on being able to have/prepare for their events?

Chris Severs – thinks that Robert’s rules of Order should be followed.  “This is a slippery slope – what about other allergies and how will we manage them?”

Javier Muniz – Presented that peanut allergies fall under the ADA and are considered a disability – wants to make it very clear that a peanut ban does not stop a child’s reaction because it cannot guard against an accidental exposure and there will be one, it’s just a matter of time… kids are bullied because they have a food allergy or are being singled out… Javier went over his time and didn’t relinquish the floor when asked - just continued talking even though each of the presenters before him followed the 3-minute rule (though some reluctantly) when their time was up.

Exec Session Starts: 

First Exec Session is concluded at 7:25 PM, back to open session

Board addressed gallery about special session to be held on 10/27 where a vote will take place on an amended policy that will include 

precautions to be taken to reduce the risk of accidental exposure

adding parental involvement through an education committee

looking at language to encourage awareness and offer options for alternative choices

Principal’s report – looking into a company called erate solutions – we got in touch with them and it looks like we can Net approx. $3,000 per year on a three year contract

Almost lost our Spanish teacher – “Save the Flave” was a successful movement through the help of John A. Logan College and Congressman Enyart’s Office

Active shooter training will take place on 10/24 at noon and the recommended process is a change from previous years.

Asbestos inspection was today 10/16 and we were fine, will be looking at purchasing a firedoor or changing the lock on the upper room.

Tom motioned to adjourn, Brad seconded, meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM

September 2014

OLMC School Board Minutes

September 2014 - 6:01 PM to 7:59 PM - Cabrini Hall

Members Present: Gary Spoerre, Brad Heard, Brian Hennessey, Mary Belanger, Leigh Bedokis-

Gusta, Tom Harness, Marlyn Cairatti, Father Ken, Faye Myatt, Monica  

Schramm, Brandy Milani, and Amy Weaver

1.0 Opening Prayer - Meeting called to order at 6:01. Father Ken led the prayer.

2.0 Approval of Minutes - 1st Leigh Bedokis-Gusta & 2nd Gary Spoerre

3.0 Reports

3.1 Pastor's Report - Father has a meeting in Royalton. He has nothing to report except   fundraising for the new school is the big push.

3.2 Principal's Report -

3.2.1 Williamson County Annual Review and drills scheduled: Fire Drill not enacted.   We have deadbolts & we would have to take them off.

3.2.2 Iowa Testing next week: 2nd year (Common Core)

3.2.3 AEP meeting/standards based/E-Rate solutions: New report cards, a push for 

no homework and no grading scale. Based on mastering concepts. Faye is  

looking into E-Rate funds we are able to collect. A company she is looking  

into would get 10% of what we get. Homework vs In-Class. We discussed 

communicating what Common Core is. We had guests that addressed the 

board with concerns of Common Core.

3.3 Technology Report by Martha - Newer iPads are working better. The older versions 

of them are still having connectivity issues.  

Purchasing 20 Chromebooks and 25 laptops.  

Purchased Chromebooks for $279.99. Bandwidth 

tests came back less than what we purchased  

(50MB). The Clearwave Straight Tests came back

less.

3.4 Budget Report by Gary -

3.5. School Committee -

3.5.1 The 5K made $2,408.79; bringing back Script Cards (all the time); Bingo  

numbers have improved; Bar tabs are down.

3.6. Allergy/Food Policy - Amy: Faye contacted schools around the area. Changes are  

made to policies every year. OLMC has 5 peanut allergy   students, 5 nut allergy students. Contacting parents and  

write a policy. We will vote on next meeting. A Sunday 

flier for no peanut policy to Mass.

4.0 Other Business - None

5.0 Executive Session: 7:18 PM

Closed Meeting: 1st Amy and 2nd Brian

Next Meeting October 16th

August 2014

OLMC School Board Minutes

August 28th, 2014 - 6:01 PM to 8:00 PM - Holy Family Room

Members Present: Gary Spoerre, Brad Heard, Brian Hennessey, Mary Belanger, Leigh Bedokis-
Gusta, Tom Harness, Marlyn Cairatti, Father Ken, Faye Myatt, Monica 
Schramm, Brandy Milani, and Amy Weaver

1.0 Opening Prayer - Meeting called to order at 6:01. Father Ken led the prayer.

2.0 Approval of Minutes - 1st Leigh Bedokis-Gusta & 2nd Marlyn Cairatti

3.0 Reports

3.1 Pastor's Report - Marketing Material for the new school. A brochure titled Growing In 
Faith, Building For Education.

3.2 Principal's Report -

3.2.1 New Teachers-Start of the Year-193 families, 297 students PreK-8

3.2.2 iPads/Computer room changed - upper grade computer needed. Teachers 
looking at 40 Asus laptops. (Best Buy $230 each TOTAL $9,464 - 2 Carts to 
hold 20 laptops each TOTAL $1,311.68). Gary suggested we look at CDW for 
lower pricing. Teachers did not want Chrome Books. Tom wanted to know 
more about the teachers concerns. Everyone was in agreement to setup a 
meeting with teachers to discuss options. Monday September 8th between 
2:15 and 3:30 was suggested for a meeting. School board members and 
teachers will be invited. Tom wil prepare an email outlining specifically what 
questions he wants from the teachers.

3.2.3 Committee for long range tech plan (See above) - School board discussed 
what direction we should take OLMC in reference to technology. Setting up a 
plan to reinvest in technology and replacing it.

3.2.4 Allergies-Polices: Amy wanted approval from the board to look into what 
other schools do with peanut allergies. The school board discussed the pros 
and cons of making the school completely peanut allergy free. We currently 
have a PreK and 2nd grade student with a severe peanut allergy. The safety 
of those students and the concerns of cross contamination were key 
discussions. The school board discussed if letters went out this year. Some 
teachers did, but some may have not. Faye will look at sending out a notice in 
the next announcement.

3.2.5 Fay passed out the principal review forms.

3.2.6 The annual fund over the next 3 years will go towards furniture and 
equipment for the new school.

3.3 Technology Repory by Martha - (See Above 3.2.2): Martha discussed the teachers 
needs for more laptops/computers. We are still 
dealing with internet issues and having multiple 
devices connected at one time. All iPads are 
updated but we are still having intermittent 
connections. Martha is going to contact Jeremy to 
see how much it would cost to replace equipment 
that he believes will solve our problems.

3.4 Budget Report by Gary - The budget was passed out. We have roughly a surplus of 
$400 to start out with this year. Some of the line items 
discussed were: Gas, Extended Care Income, Internet 
(new line item), Forgiven Tuition, and Salaries.

3.5. School Committee by Faye (Update from Kent Ingersoll) -

3.5.1 The first 5K is set for Saturday, September 13th. There are currently 35  
registered runners as of August 28th. $600 in sponsorship money has been 
collected. Leigh Bedokis-Gusta discussed making the run creative and 
different to draw runners from the area. Tim Jarvis is heading the run and 
donating the use of his timing equipment to the event. This is a new  
fundraiser and all the money raised goes to the school.

3.5.2 There was a Bingo meeting tonight during the school board meeting. There  
are going to be changes this year. Everyone WILL BE REQUIRED to sign in 
at each of their assigned times. If you are assigned a shift and do not show, 
you have 2 options: 1) Find someone willing to fill in. 2) Not show and be 
billed your assessment (prorated). This will apply to ALL assessments. The 
bar tab at bingo will be capped at $30. Tracy Steel will be taking over Tim 
Jarvis' duties as Bingo Chair.

3.5.3 Kroger Cards - Gift cards will no longer be required to raise money for the 
school. The red discount cards can be setup every August to help OLMC. A  
note was sent home notifying parents of how to set it up.

4.0 Other Business - None

5.0 Executive Session

Closed Meeting: 1st Brandy Milani and 2nd Gary Spoerre

Welcome!

Welcome!

I want to welcome everyone back for another exciting year of faith and learning at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. For over 100 years, OLMC has been providing the youth of our community with an excellent Catholic education, where not only academics but the nurturing of the students as a whole, is the focus.  It is a privilege to work with all OLMC families as we work toward our common goal of making our school an outstanding and safe learning environment.  I pledge to keep our students faith, safety and academics in the forefront of my mind as we as we work together towards the building of a new school.  I look forward to continuing to work with our Principal Mrs. Faye Myatt and Pastor Monsignor Ken Schaefer to achieve our goals, and I welcome you to join us at our monthly meetings.  If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me or any other school board member.  May God bless and keep you.

Sincerely,

Amy Weaver