MINUTES
Our Lady of Guadalupe School Board Meeting Minutes
September 3, 2008
The meeting began with the reading of a prayer.
In attendance
|
Mrs. Parini |
Mrs. Keltie |
Mrs. Chu |
|
Fr. John Prochaska |
Tina Evangelista |
Susan Ramsel |
|
Ferdie Pernia |
Donna Yap |
Rudy Reyna |
|
Imelda Pedrigal |
Rafael De La Cruz |
|
|
Deacon Mike Cantlon |
Jose Govea |
Michiele Iorii |
|
Fatima Cabral |
|
|
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the July 8, 2008, meeting were sent out via email over the summer. To refresh all, they will be re-sent.
Old Business
Election of New Officers
Nominated for President: Brenda by unanimous vote
Nominated for Vice President: Donna, Rudy, Rafael (Donna by unanimous vote)
Nominated for Secretary: Tina (primary), Ferdie (backup)
Five-Year Plan – PTSG Progress Update
· Dena updated all on progress made with regard to how to increase parent participation.
o “What you can do to help list” under development
o PTSG page in the Wednesday bulletin
o Educating parents being billed for not completing service hour requirement
o Consider raising hourly fee for unsatisfied service hours
o Publishing a PTSG email for families
· PTSG has gathered ideas from other Catholic schools for enhancing parent involvement. In addition, they have developed some of their own. They’ll work to finalize for review at the November School Board Meeting a scaleable plan to improve the parent participation experience for all families.
Front Signage
· Cleanup has commenced, and the trench has been dug. A friend of the school has offered to dig posts. That will leave laying of the weed control cloth and planting of the oleander in the short term. The cross plans are still in the process of finalization. There will be a work party for moving and shoveling the rock from the other site.
·
Scheduled
for 8 a. m. to noon at
Committee Reports
Admin Update
We are up from 202 to 212 students in comparison to the start of last year. There is a chance that a few additional students may join us in the near term. The first phase of the marketing plan, the brochure/DVD, and the Google search seem to have been a big success. We have not had a lot of referrals, but we will continue working on it, and we will pursue the second phase of the marketing plan.
Ferdie mentioned that we have had a higher-than-expected number of transfers from other local Catholic schools. He asked whether the change from out-of-parish and in-parish tuition rates may have helped, as he had some feedback that indicated that it had. In addition, Susie mentioned that Father Mathew had made a referral when Holy Spirit was overloaded.
Parish Update
Father John reported on the decision to delay final decision on single mass site for another three months to consider expansion of the Blacow site, in lieu of building a new church. Items of discovery include discussing with donors to the Building Fund their willingness to support this, since funds are restricted; obtaining a financial estimate of the costs of expanding, retrofitting, and renovating, the Blacow Road church; and determining the financial feasibility of any such plan. Focus remains on discerning the option that will best serve the parishioners and allow for unification of liturgies by August 1, 2009. Detailed information was provided in the parish bulletin during the masses over Labor Day weekend; it will also be sent to all school families through this week’s Wednesday envelope.
PTSG
PTSG provided lunch for the staff on the second day of school. They are also hosting a Texas Roadhouse BBQ on September 10 from 5 to 7 p. m. (prior to the parent meeting). Pre-orders are due by Monday, September 8.
CYO
Girls’ softball has started; 17 girls are participating, and one more may join. The snack bar will continue in lieu of other fundraising. There will be five home games and five night games.
Girls’ volleyball sign ups have completed. Grades 7 and 8 will combine, and there may be two 4/5/6 grade teams. Practices will be at Newark Junior High. They will also have a candy fundraiser.
Boys’ basketball sign ups are ongoing. Player evaluations will be the week of September 8, teams will be selected the weekend of September 13, and practices will start the week of September 15.
Development
One grant application for $10,000 for tuition assistance has been accepted by the Gellert Foundation; we will find out soon whether we get the grant.
The three areas of focus for Development this year will be:
·
Grants
– we need to re-approach some of the approximately ten organizations that have
given us grants in the past. In
addition, we will approach other organizations.
To assist in this, we will buy a subscription to the
· Soliciting assistance and participation from other parish organizations – we want to energize some of the great support organizations internal to our parish.
· Newsletter – we will be sending a formal, printed newsletter to recent (within ten years of graduation) alumni, friends, and families. The first edition will go out immediately following the Harvest Festival.
Public Relations
Michiele mentioned that we need to get more mention in the Catholic Voice to highlight all of the good things that are going on within the school and the parish. Our goal will to have something in monthly from either the parish, the school, or both. The first article will be about the summer drama camp. Michiele is looking for input; she’ll take a draft article or write one up for you.
Golf Tourney
Ferdie will begin efforts to finalize a location and a date. He is considering either a Sunday afternoon or a Friday tournament. We may have logo shirts and logo balls this year. He will also pursue sponsorships of various holes.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on October 7, 2008, at 7:00 p. m., in the teacher’s lounge. Rudy will lead opening, and Susie will lead closing prayer.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p. m.