March 2024

 

March 19, 2024 School Board Meeting Agenda

Cabrini Hall 6:00pm

Present: Father Mark Reyling, Jason Swann, Dr. Amanda Brazis, Marlyn Cairatti, Maria Deaton, Krista Cawvey, Sarah Hagler, Jocelyn Popit, Brandon Watson, Jami Burris, and Liz Lively

Opening Prayer & Welcome

School Committee Report:

Mr. Swann said that they are working hard on the Dinner and Auction.

 

Principal’s Report:

 

iPhone Watches- We discussed the impact of students having access to this technology at school and the potential need to update the cell phone policy to include the watches. We will continue this discussion at the next board meeting.

 

Discipline and Incidents at the School This Semester- School Response – Mr. Swann discussed several incidents that have occurred in the past month. He updated us on the school’s response to the students’ behavior and his communication with the students’ families.  The 8th graders met with Mrs. Nagrodski and Mr. Swann to discuss the behavioral and academic expectations for the 4th quarter.  There was a contract issued to the students and they were asked to discuss the conversation with their parents.  Both student and parents were to sign the contract.

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences- The structure will change next year. It is a conference between parent and teacher about progress to date. In the fall, the plan is to hold an initial conference to discuss current levels and goals and then another conference to discuss progress. In the spring, the conferences will be by appointment/need after that. Mr. Swann discussed several options of how to meet with as many families as possible while also meeting earlier in the school year. These options included holding conferences in the evening with a half-day for students and staff on the following day.

 

Playground Aide Positions- There have been several candidates for the available positions.

 

New Religion Text “Word of Life”- The text runs K-5. The junior high curriculum comes out in one year, and PreK will be available in two years. It has an interactive site and videos with the curriculum. It comes from Augustine Institute.

 

Phonics Curriculum- Mrs. Gosha and Mrs. Burris brought curriculum to the staff to review. Mrs. Shurtz and Mr. Swann are developing a curriculum committee. Mrs. Shurtz will chair the committee. Teachers are encouraged to bring curriculum ideas to Mr. Swann.

 

Tuition Update: Mr. Swann said that he would email the updated tuition numbers. Father Mark explained the language changes from Catholic or Non-Catholic to Parishioner or Non-Parishioner. The default is non-parishioner until the form is completed by the parish priest.  Brandon and Liz asked about the percentages of current Catholic vs. Non-Catholic students. The exact numbers were unknown, but the estimate was around 20-30.

 

Additional Discussion

Brandon suggested a School Board Scholarship Fund for financially needy students. Scholarship dinner could be utilized to raise money. This would be separate from fundraising- an account specifically for financial aid.

 

Elections in May - Marlyn Cairatti

Liz Lively’s term is ending this year. She is not planning to run again. Dr. Brazis will run again. Scott Stefan has served two terms so he cannot run again.

We will need at least 4 people to run by the next board meeting. Right now, Dori Nichols and Dr. Brazis are willing to run. Candidates must be a practicing Catholic, 18 years or older, and cannot have a spouse who works for the parish. Elections are the third weekend of May. We need a paragraph biography for each candidate. We will vote on potential candidates during the next meeting.

 

Approval of February Minutes:  Jocelyn Popit and Liz Lively

Pastor’s Report: 

All students have received Reconciliation. 9 people will join the church at Easter Vigil. Confirmation is April 7^th. That morning is the celebration of 50 years of Holy Spirit. The Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is between Masses on Sunday.

Priest Personnel Board Meetings: Focus is on 5 retiring and none to fill positions. Next year there will be 6 retiring.

Parish photos are going well. There are just a few slots left.

FACE Trivia and Parish Reconciliation Service went well.

 

Adjournment: Date of Next Meeting: This was not discussed.  

Closing Prayer

February 2024

 

February 20, 2024 School Board Meeting Agenda

Cabrini Hall 6:00pm

Present: Father Mark Reyling, Jason Swann, Kent Ingersoll, Marlyn Cairatti, Maria Deaton, Krista Cawvey, Jami Burris, Sarah Hagler, Jocelyn Popit, Brandon Watson, Liz Lively, Dr. Josh Miksanek, and Scott Stefan

Opening Prayer & Welcome

School Committee Report:

Mardi Gras- Kent reported the event brought in approximately $27,000 in sales, but that was not the profit. He is still waiting on a couple of sponsorships to come in. Approximately 540 meals were served.

 

Fish Fry- This Friday, 5-7 pm, forms will be sent home on Wednesday, February 21.

 

Auction- The committee has been working hard. The event is the first weekend in May.

 

Calendars- Kent is still trying to get calendars returned, and then he will give an update.

 

Liz found new people to be in charge of the fish fries and golf scramble.

 

Rice Bowls will be sent home Wednesday, February 21. They should be returned the week before Easter.

 

Principal’s Report:

School Activity- Catholic Schools Week went really well. The focus is on our Catholic identity. We’re making good progress as a school and a staff. Everything is going well. It’s been a positive year, students seem positive. Personnel- Dr. Brazis and Mr. Swann interviewed a candidate for an additional fifth grade position. Next year, we will have two first grades, one second grade, and Kindergarten is in limbo right now. Mrs. Shurtz has agreed to move to third grade. Curriculum committee will meet soon with Mrs. Shurtz leading the committee.

 

Tuition Discussion for 2024- The terminology will be changed from Catholic and Non-Catholic to Parishioner and Non-Parishioner. It also says the default rate is the non-parishioner rate until the form is signed by the correct pastor. Mr. Swann asked for any further information/questions. Father Mark and Mr. Swann will now meet to decide on the tuition rates for next year. Dr. Miksanek asked about the possibility of families moving due to the increase. Mr. Swann said he does not foresee that happening. Sarah Hagler and Liz Lively suggested skillful marketing and letting families know as early as possible. Dr. Miksanek suggested putting some of the increased costs that the school has in the letter to families. Jocelyn Popit suggested comparing metrics (percent increase) with other local schools. Liz Lively suggested marketing with a focus on loving our kids and our school.

 

Principal Appraisal Forms Reminder: Please send them to Father Mark this week.

 

PreK Discussion- Mr. Swann said that at this point, he is not sure that it is the wisest decision to add a PreK this fall. He suggests waiting a year. PreK is self-sufficient, but it does not profit the entire school. Mr. Swann is still waiting for an approximate cost for expanding the PreK. Liz Lively asked what the percentage of PreK students is that stay and go to Kindergarten. Mr. Swann says it is extremely high. No one suggested going forward with the new PreK classroom this fall.

                 

Approval of January Minutes: Jocelyn Popit motioned. Sarah Hagler seconded. None opposed.

Pastor’s Report: 

Father Mark reported that Mardi Gras went well with many compliments for the food. The 2^nd grade parent meeting is Thursday, February 22 to discuss Reconciliation and First Communion. First Reconciliation is March 7, the FACE Trivia Night to benefit the bus that travels to Notre Dame High School is on March 8^th, the Parish Penance Service will be at 3 pm on March 17, and Sister Paulette has the Confirmation retreat scheduled for the 8^th graders.

Work is being done on the patio for the rectory to repair a leaking roof. Bides are signed and work should be scheduled soon. Tuck pointing and sealing the gym is on the schedule for the summer.

Adjournment: Date of Next Meeting:  March 19, 2024

Closing Prayer

January 2024

 

January 16, 2024 School Board Meeting Agenda

Cabrini Hall 6:00pm

Present: Father Mark Reyling, Jason Swann, Kent Ingersoll, Dr. Amanda Brazis, Marlyn Cairatti, Maria Deaton, Krista Cawvey, Tara Webb, Sarah Hagler, Jocelyn Popit, Brandon Watson, and Scott Stefan

Opening Prayer & Welcome:

School Committee Report:

Catholic  Schools Week will be at the end of the month. The team met and solidified the schedule. An email will go out to families this week.

 

Mardi Gras: Nina Helleny has offered to help with marketing, etc. Packets will include raffle tickets, dinner orders, and carnival tickets. Carnival tickets will be available presale and at the event. It is February 13.

 

Marlyn suggested that there should be sales after the masses (all masses) to offer to parishioners. Kent said that was the plan, but some volunteers do not always show up.

 

Principal’s Report:

Personnel Update: Karen Graul goes back to Barnes on February 5, and they are testing for transplant donors. She is pretty sure that she will not return to school this year. It looks like we will need to bring in another school nurse.  Mr. Steve and Ms. Linda are both back.

 

Principal’s Appraisal Forms: Board members were reminded to fill them out and return them to Father Mark.  Write your name on the top of the form, not Mr. Swann’s.

 

Tuition Discussion: We need to turn our figures into FACTS by the end of January so they can set up our tuition in their system. Father gave out information about a proposed tuition increase, and the proposal was discussed. An increase in Pre-K tuition was also discussed. Mr. Swann asked that we continue the conversation via email. There will continue to be discussion with families who need tuition assistance.

             

Approval of December Minutes: Sarah Hagler motioned and Jocelyn Popit seconded

Pastor’s Report:  Father Mark had to leave before this part of our meeting.

Adjournment: Date of Next Meeting:  February 20th, 2024

Closing Prayer