Wednesday, April 17, 2024

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 7th. 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