OLMC
School Board Meeting
January
17, 2023
Present: Jason Swann, Fr. Mark Reyling,
Dr. Amanda Brazis, Liz Lively, Scott Stefan, Liz Isler, Maria Deaton, Sarah
Hagler, Dr. Josua Miksanek, Marlyn Cairatti, Kent Ingersoll, Catalina Huerta,
Jamie Burris, and Mary Bondioli
· Kent Ingersoll reported that there were still a number of raffle tickets out. Tickets will be sold at all the Masses this weekend and people are still being encouraged to sell more. When asked, Kent said about $19,000 has been deposited so far. Although far from the goal of $60,000, the profit already surpasses the profit from calendar sales last year.
· Mardi Gras will be February 21st. The meal will be dine in, carry out, and delivery within a limited number of miles.
· Catholic Schools Week will kick off with a Children’s Mass at 11:00 on Sunday, January 29th.
· May 19th is the golf scramble.
Principal’s Report:
· Spring semester is going well. The teachers are doing a great job.
· The Empower Illinois Sunset was not removed so it will remain in place until July,2024.
· The new 4th grade teacher, Claire Borbath, is working out well. She is highly motivated and has no concerns about getting the class caught up to where they should be by the end of the year.
· The Accreditation “in school” date has been rescheduled for March 30. The Handbook has been approved and Jason believes all documentation has been completed.
· A parish/school inquiry e-mail address has been set up: parishinquiry4OLMC @olmcschool.net
· Thursday, January 19th is 8th grade night for basketball.
· March 23rd, 5:30 -6:30p.m. will be Kindergarten Round-up.
Marlyn Cairatti moved to change the title of the School Board By-Laws from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional School. The motion was approved.
Dr. Miksanek said a parent had contacted him regarding too little time allowed for changing of classes in the Jr. High, The principal indicated that the time is more controlled than last year but believes it is ample time. The parent is welcome to call him if there is a specific problem regarding this student.
Liz Lively mentioned that several sub committees of the School Board had been set up last year. She wondered whether those committees were meeting and whether new board members had been put on those committees. She mentioned that the Mission Effectiveness Committee has been meeting regularly and had been involved in several parish events in the past year with the purpose of bringing parishioners together. Jason indicated that reestablishing committees is on his agenda for the coming months.
Maria Deaton commented that the Soft
Lock Down that was necessary recently had been communicated well to the parents.
She thought it would be a good idea to again inform parents of the difference
between a Soft Lock Down vs a Hard Lock Down as some had questioned her about
that. Jason agreed to do that and also commented that the teachers did an
amazing job of continuing to move forward with their class activities in such a
way that the students were not aware of the potential situation.
Liz Lively moved to approve the December minutes. Motion was approved.
Pastor’s Report:
· Father’s retreat went well.
· The Mass server training with 4th graders will be starting soon.
· February 9, 6:00 p.m. will be the Parent Meeting for students scheduled to receive Reconciliation and First Communion this spring. First Reconciliation will be March 9 at 6:00.
· January 28/29th there will be a TEC Retreat in Cabrini.
· Fr. Brian Barker is on sabbatical until May 16th.
· February 3rd will be Blessing of the Throats after the All-School’s Mass.
· February 4-5 Girl Scouts will be selling cookies after Masses.
· June 3rd will be Fr. Mark’s Jubilee Mass at 4:00.
· Father brought up a point for the board to think about. “When someone new moves into our area, how do they know we (parish and school) are here?” Brief comments followed indicating the St. Mary School signs need to be replaced, new signs needed at the entrances to Herrin, brochures and/or window decals to be distributed.
Jason indicated that a Strategic Marketing Plan for our school will be presented at the February meeting for comments.