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Education Advisory Committee |
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Members Present: Bill Broderick, Jeanne Daly, Del Ehemann, Roger Hoffman, Kelley Kirwan, Tom McHugh, Bill Otto, Julie Renner Members Absent: Tom Boychan, Theresa Cullen Staff Present: Nancy Goebel, Mary Hedger, Fr. Jan Schmidt Guest Present: John Szucsik-Parish Council Liaison Opening Prayer: Jeanne Daly Approval of Minutes: Julie Renner, 2nd Bill Broderick Formation Julie Renner Discussion Items:
FACS tuition collection service is strongly recommended and would cost the school $46.00 per account. Starting Jan. 1, late fees for tuition payments will be the same as late fees the parish pays to the bank in order to cover our costs. Penalties for families not paying tuition were discussed. Julie Renner will take the issue to the Parish Council with information on number of families behind on their obligation. This commission will need legal guidelines on how to proceed with this, possibly from the Catholic Schools Office. Rewording of the registration form to strengthen a contract to pay tuition may be needed. Reminders of the tuition policy will be published in the newsletter and in the Wednesday envelope.
Budget figures should be available soon to help determine the need for additional charges.
Pastor’s Report Handouts were distributed- Good News From the Archdiocese and Ethics and Medics. Father Jan expressed concern that smaller class size would raise tuition. Principal’s Report Mary-With respect to smaller class size, current budget at IHM is based on 650 students. If we limited incoming first grade class to 75 students, this would give us an enrollment of approximately 659 for next year, causing no additional increase in tuition. IHM could gradually decrease class size as this class moved up through school. The number of classroom aides would decrease by attrition. Guardian Angels has a current class cap of 66 students per grade. Young teachers starting out must pay more out of pocket for certifications, Masters Degrees, etc. As Catholic schools generally pay less in salary, smaller class size is a perk we can offer these teachers. October Report The EXCEL enrichment classes participated in a zoo learning experience with the horticulturalist and animal keeper. They are also participating in Future Problem Solving and will have two teams in the activity division and some participants in the creative writing division. Our October count was 665.20 which will result in a decrease in state and federal funding. The difference between our enrollment and the ADM is due to the unexcused absences (vacations) of 14 children on Friday, Oct. 5. The faculty and I are discussing the issue. Most likely, all vacations will be unexcused and students who miss tests, assignments, etc. will have a grade cap. Archbishop McNicholas began doing this last year and they have seen a decrease in vacations during school time. The collection of one field trip fee has gone very well. The teachers like the new system and some parents have told us that they appreciate only having to write one check. Progress reports were sent home on Oct. 9. We monitor students who have low grades, and Dr. Wellman will continue with a mandatory study skills program for those on academic watch. These sessions will begin in November and will be held during the enrichment period. The trophy for the inclusion award has arrived. We will have a presentation ceremony and celebration in November or early December. Details will be in the newsletter. Nancy-There have been some customer service issues with our uniform supplier Schoolbelles. The President of the company is coming to the PTO Board meeting on Nov. 12 to discuss these. All are invited. The Adopt-A-Religious program is coming along nicely. The Wellness Committee Meeting report was distributed. A cafeteria recycling program is beginning soon. A performance of the One Man Band is scheduled on Oct. 29th to highlight our recycling program. Student Council Inauguration will be held Oct. 25th after the Multicultural Mass. Discipline Summary was handed out. This lists all discipline violations by grade level through Sept. Children’s names are never listed. Liaison Reports Parish Council-Goals for the EAC have been submitted to the Parish Council for the 2007-2008 academic year. The retreat for Parish Council is Nov. 10th from 8:15-1pm. Spouses are invited and lunch is provided. Shopsmart- 120 families have designated where the additional money will go. Over 50% have chosen tuition credits. Last year Shopsmart averaged $3500/month. This year is already up to $4500/ month before the busy Christmas season. An Honor Roll of families using Kroger Neighborhood rewards cards is coming in the bulletin soon. Committee Reports Business Affairs-no report Community Affairs-how can we let the parish know how much money the school saves the parish? Academic Affairs-no report Closing Prayer Del Ehemann Next Meeting: November 26, 2007 in Annex Building Room 31 Opening Prayer-Julie Renner Formation-Kelley Kirwan Closing Prayer-Jeanne Daly Snacks-Tom McHugh
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Members Present: Tom Boychan, Bill Broderick, Theresa Cullen, Jeanne Daly, Del Ehemann, Roger Hoffman, Kelley Kirwan, Tom McHugh, Bill Otto, Julie Renner Members Absent: None Staff Present: Elaine Connelly, Nancy Goebel, Mary Hedger Guest Present: John Szucsik-Parish Council Liaison Opening Prayer: Theresa Cullen Welcome and Introduction: Julie Renner, Chairperson; Bill Otto Vice-Chair; Kelley Kirwan, Secretary. New Members: Del Ehemann, Bill Broderick. Formation: Julie Renner Discussion Items: 1. Tuition Collection Policy-the following policy was approved:
Effective 9/24/07 Tuition Payment Policy The following policy is effective immediately. It is expected that parents will remain current with their tuition payments. Parents whose tuition payments are not current will be notified before the end of each grading period. Students will not be permitted to return for the next grading period unless all tuition payments are current. If you receive a notice to this effect and wish to appeal, contact Mary Hedger at the school office.
Important Notice Regarding Tuition Payments Please note that tuition payments will not be deferred for any reason. All tuition payments are to be kept current and are due on specified dates each month. Late fees will apply to returned checks, and the Tuition Payment Policy will be in effect. This policy was published in the newsletter. Mrs. Hedger asked that a letter come from this Commission when financial assistance is no longer available to a family, i.e. when the two years has elapsed. See Attachment A for the tuition policy as is stated in the handbook. There was also discussion that the Finance Council should arbitrate in situations in which tuition is not being paid. A suggestion of a three person committee composed of people without children in the school to decide these issues was proposed.
2. We will return to using FACTS, a third party that handles tuition payments. 3. Enrollment Update- currently at 668. Discussion was entertained that this Commission may want to limit class size to 25 in future classes to ensure academic excellence. 4. IAT/ISP and Enrichment fee structure- as budget numbers are currently not available, it is not possible to determine what such a fee structure should be at this time. 5. Search for Grants-Sandy Dunphy is Development has been given information on grants available. Committee Reports Business Affairs-the Business Affairs Committee for this year will be Julie Renner, Tom Boychan, and Bill Otto. They will be working on next years tuition once the budget information becomes available. Community Affairs-the Community Affairs Committee will be Del Ehemann, Tom McHugh, and Theresa Cullen. They will continue informing the parish community on notable happenings at the school through the Parish, School Scoop, articles in Heart Beat, etc. Academic Affairs-the Academic Affairs Committee will be Jeanne Daly, Kelley Kirwan, Roger Hoffman, and Bill Broderick. They will be working on an online survey for recent graduates and are also looking for a wish-list from the principals as to what kind of information would be useful.
Principal’s Report Mary Our opening number was 668. New teachers: Jenny Houston has joined the faculty in 2nd grade to cover Mrs. Smith’s maternity leave. Mrs. Smith will return for the 2008/09 school year. Mary Massa will teach art in 5th through 8th grades. Lindsey Benvie will teach 7/8th grade social studies Sonia Morales will join the faculty to job share with Mrs. Sabla. The school received the Edward M. Shaughnessy III Teaching All God’s Children Award on July 7th at the NCEA Law Symposium in Louisville. This award recognizes the work we do with our students who learn differently. Our first professional development day was August 23. Sr. Carol Cimino’s topic was The Beatitudes for Teachers. Teachers from Saint Andrew and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton joined us. On August 31, Dr. Bill deMeo presented an in-service on brain based learning. Teachers from St. Clement joined us. The archdiocese has adjusted its primary report card to a different development scale. Teachers are required to use O, S, or N indicators. We have adjusted Progress Book accordingly to fit the new categories. Mrs. Michele Head had sent an inquiry to the math department at McNick asking about students who take the test to opt out of Algebra I in 9th grade. She received this reply. “I have always been impressed with the kids from IHM over the last 12 years that I have been at McNick. It is why my son is there now...I think the kids from IHM are very well prepared, not only for math, but high school in general.” The archdiocese is requiring all schools to provide accident insurance for all of their students. This year, they paid for the policies, but the cost will be borne by the schools beginning 2008-09. Nancy Discipline Summary was handed out. This lists all discipline violations by grade level through Sept. Children’s names are never listed. One bus has been consistently late. We are working with Forest Hills to remedy the situation. Pastor’s Report No report Liaison Reports Parish Council There is a retreat on Nov. 10th from 8:15-1:00 for all Parish Commission members. Spouses are welcome. Breakfast and lunch are provided. EAC Goals for the 2007-2008 year are due Oct.12. Julie Renner will be formulating those goals. It is time for the ME25 Gallup Follow-up Survey. The link to the survey can be found on the parish website. Shopsmart-Money collected by Shopsmart is increasing. An “honor roll” of people using the program will be published in the bulletin. People using Shopsmart are able to designate where a portion of the money goes. Closing Prayer Kelley Kirwan Next Meeting: October 22, 2007 in Annex Room31 Opening Prayer- Jeanne Daly Formation-Julie Renner Closing Prayer- Del Ehemann Snacks- Theresa Cullen |