Monday, March 16, 2015

March 2015

  OLMC School Board Meeting Minutes
                                                                March 16, 2015


Members Present:  Fr. Ken Shaffer, Faye Myatt, Amy Weaver, Brad Heard, Leigh Bedokis-  
           Gusta, Monica Schramm, Marlyn Cairatti, Gary Spoerre, Brandy Miliani, Victor Sanchez, 
           Barry Vesciglio, Mary Edna Russell

Other Attendees:  Fernando Castillo, Martha Johnson, Tom Johnson 

1.   Meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm and Fr. Ken led the committee in prayer.

2.   January School Board Meeting minutes were reviewed.  Leigh motioned to approve them and   
            Marlyn seconded the motion.

3.   Pastor’s Report
           Fr. Ken provided an update on the new school building project. 
              a.)  A goal was set that as of March 1, 2016 to have half the funds necessary (@ 5 million) 
                    for the new school in the bank in order to receive approval from the diocese to break 
                    ground.  
              b.)  Currently, 72 people have volunteered to visit potential donors and help work on 
                    donations.  Fr. Ken encouraged the board members to help as well.
              c.)  As of today, we have about 1.4 million in the bank and another $700-800 
                    thousand pledged.
              d.)  As of April 1st on-line giving will be possible through our bulletin service.  St. Clare 
                     Parish in O’Fallon, IL is currently using a similar service and you can visit their website 
                     to get an idea of what ours will look like.

4.   Principal’s Report
        Kindergarten Round-Up, March 24th, 9-11am
              a.)  35 invitations to the Kindergarten Round-Up were sent out.  Two Kindergarten classes 
                    are anticipated for the upcoming year.  Ideally, Kindergarten class sizes should be no 
                    greater than18 students.
              b.)  Intent to Register Letters are scheduled to be sent home by the end of the week.
              c.)  Principal Myatt discussed upcoming staffing issues due to class (grade) changes:  
                    2 Kindergarten classes; 1 - 1st grade; 2 - 2nd grade classes.  Faye is considering several 
                    possibilities to cover her staffing changes/needs including a P.E. teacher (possibly Craig 
                    Herman).  The Athletic Director position had been decided to be handled by a          
                    committee.
              d.)  Faye is working on necessary updates to the OLMC School Handbook the allergy
                    policy, Student Allergies Form, and possibly the Tardiness Policy.  A discussion ensued 
                    regarding the difficulty of compliance to the Tardiness Policy and effective consequence 
                    for repeat violators of the policy.  One suggestion was to have a required Open House
                    for all parents, providing an opportunity to discuss the policy, penalties and the negative 
                    impact tardiness has on teachers and students.

5.   School Committee Report
              a.)  A school committee meeting was held this evening at 6pm, prior to the school board    
                    meeting.  Leigh provided a brief update of the topics discussed including: the 5K Run 
                    is scheduled for September 5th, the possibility of a parish festival, a bocce tournament, 
                    plans for the spaghetti dinner
              b.)  Moving banking from Banterra Bank to First Southern Bank.
              c.)  Discussion about the possibility of utilizing volunteer time to be credited toward
                    assessment fee
              d.)  Marlyn made a suggestion that grandparents of students to be contacted for volunteers
                    activities (ie. Playground duty, cafeteria duty, etc)

6. Athletics
              a.)  OLMC co-ed soccer club.  Father Ken asked Fernando Castillo to make a brief
                    presentation to the board regarding his plans to establish a competitive middle school 
                    soccer program.  The team which is comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th students (boys and 
                    girls) from OLMC will be called the Herrin Knights.  This league plays in the spring and 
                    will not conflict with school sponsored sports activities (ie: cross country).  A possible 
                    outcome, which needs to be discussed further, is the establishment of an OLMC varsity 
                    soccer team to play in the I.H.S.A. conference.
             b.)  Team updates -  Girl’s Volleyball is doing very well.  The Bowling Team’s season is 
                   currently underway.  Cross Country has also begun their season.
             c.)  Laundry detergent fund raiser was held in February and will end at the end of this week. 

7. Technology Update
             a.)  Martha informed the Board that 3 new Apple Airports have been purchased by the
                   school and 2 of them have already been installed.  The Airports are/will be located in the 
                   Resource Room, Mr. Herman’s room and Mrs. Russell’s room.  The installed units have 
                   greatly improved internet connections.
             b.)  Mark Dillon has donated 3 computers.  One is to be placed in the Counselor’s office and 
                   the other 2 location are to be determined.

8. Budget Report
             a.)  Gary informed the Board within the next couple of weeks more information regarding 
                   budget cost changes and additional cost within the upcoming year will become
                   available.  He plans to present a budget review at the next Board meeting with
                   incorporates this information ensuring greater accuracy for review.

9. Miscellaneous
             a.)  Leigh, Monica and Brad will head a committee for new School Board elections.
             b.)  Confirmation is on Monday, April 13th
             c.)  Executive Session – at 8:30 pm Brandy requested to move into Executive Session which
                   was seconded by Leigh.

At 9:08 pm Amy moved to adjourn the meeting and Brandy seconded.




**Next School Board Meeting:  April 6, 2015 at 6:00 pm in the HFR