Approved/Official Piqua Catholic School Board Minutes:
Taken by Cori Knapke in the absence of Matthew Schieltz
June 29, 2017
A. Call to Order/Welcome to New Members
a. Roll call: Joyce Thornberry, Andrea Karn, Cori Knapke, Joanne Detter, Ellen Jay, Bob Termuhlen, Heather Monnin (Piqua Catholic School Business Manager), Fr. Bolte
New members: George Atkinson, Earl (Lynn) Sever, Sarah Kemmer (terms begin 07/01/17)
B. Prayer: Opening prayer was led by Ellen Jay
C. Approval of minutes: A motion to approve the May 4, 2017, minutes was made by Bob Termuhlen and seconded by Joyce Thornberry. A vote to approve the minutes was taken. The May minutes were approved with all board members in agreement. Ellen Jay did share information regarding the access of board agendas and minutes on the school website. If a person gets on the Piqua Catholic home page and scrolls down to the bottom of the page, recent agendas and minutes may be found. There is also the phrase “More News” with a colored square icon to the right. Click on the words not the icon in order to get to the archived minutes. They can also be found by clicking on the bright blue “News” tab at the top of the home page on the far right.
D. Reading of Communications: None to be shared
E. Hearing of the Public: No guests in attendance at this Board meeting.
F. Principal report: The principal's report was distributed at the beginning of the meeting. Ellen Jay reviewed the report with the board since Georgia Hertestein was unable to attend the meeting. Georgia reported that 111 students are currently registered which includes 22 kindergarteners. This grade level now has a waiting list. More parents have contacted Georgia, but have not yet completed the full registration process. Piqua Catholic currently has no Art teacher. This position was shared with Holy Angels last year, but Holy Angels did not renew the contract for the upcoming year. We are waiting to hear more about this. The possibility of sharing a Spanish teacher with St. Patrick’s School is in the planning. Mary Beth Rich will not be coming back to work in the cafeteria. An interview process will be set up in July according to archdiocesan rules. Several teachers wrote and received grants in the spring grant cycle. The upper grades will be getting another Chromebook cart to house the Chromebooks. The student council will be purchasing supplies to have more standing tables built for the classrooms. Grades kindergarten and first will be getting platforms to help make the Smart Boards more accessible.
G. Committee reports:
a. Governance: Did not meet
b. Finance: Heather Monnin had information to share (see Unfinished Business)
c. Marketing: Cori reported that the Cavaliers in Action (CIA) have announced another 5K run to be held in August. The group is gearing up for the new school year.
d. Strategic planning: Did not meet
H. Comments from members: Explanations of EdChoice and Peterson Scholarships were provided to new members
I. Unfinished business :
a. Wellness Policy: Heather Monnin reviewed information regarding our school lunch program. Piqua Catholic School had approximately 25% of the students participating in the free or reduced lunch program last school year. In order to receive government subsidies for the lunch program, specific criteria must be met. The state of Ohio requires a Wellness Policy that had to be in effect by June, 2017. Heather worked with people from the state to formulate a policy that meets the requirements. That policy was shared with the board and will be shared with parents and the school community.
b. Review of 2017-18 Draft Budget: Heather Monnin reported that tuition rates will not be increased for the upcoming school year. She highlighted expenditures in the area of technology (replacement of broken and outdated equipment). The end of the year revenue/expenditure balance was helped by extra money recently received from the Autism Scholarship and Peterson reimbursements. The actual budget will be voted on at the August or September meeting.
J. New business: None
K. Comments from the Chair: Ellen Jay thanked Andrea Karn, Joanne Detter, and Bob Termuhlen for their years of service. A brief discussion regarding meeting schedules for the 2017-18 school year was held. At this time, school board meetings will remain on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Meeting Room at Piqua Catholic School.
L. Concluding prayer: Fr. Bolte gave the closing prayer
M. Motion to adjourn: Andrea Karn moved to adjourn the meeting and Joanned Detter seconded the motion. A vote was taken and all board members were in agreement. The next board meeting will be August 10, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Meeting Room.