I. Members Present

Patty Hadden		Joe Zins		Ann McMackin
Donna Paterson		Michael Vilaboy		Bill Benvie
Shirley Brunsman		Anita Bidleman

II. Ex Offico Members Present

Fr. Jack		Jodie Bender		Chris Siciliano
Jan McManus

III. Members Absent

Kevin Vance		Amy Vonderhaar

IV Opening Prayer

Father Jack led all present in prayer.

 

V. Guests

Kevin McMackin		Dave Raffenberg		Brian Eve
Jeanne Pratt		Laura Brown		Carol Day
Fran Vanarsdall

 

VI. Approval of Minutes

Michael moved to accept and Donna seconded. All members were in favor.

VII. Reports

Pastoral Report - Father Jack

Father Jack shared a letter he will send home Friday May 18,2001, to the school families about Mr. Vance's resignation. All in attendance thought the letter was a good idea and thanked Father for his hard work.

A search committee has been formed by Father to find a new school principal. Advertisements have been placed in many newspapers and information has been sent to local colleges. If anyone knows of a candidate please let Father know.

Father and Joe met with the teachers and staff. Jan reported that this meeting was good for the teachers, as they put their trust and support in Father Jack. The job now is hiring a new principal.

Accreditation will continue during the next school year and the hiring of a new principal will not affect this process. St. Vivian has a good reputation, good teachers, staff, and families to rally around to help the new principal.

Mr. Eve reported that Mr. Vance told him that if the environment was different, he would not have resigned. Mrs. Pratt made a similar comment and said she was surprised by his resignation. Mr. Eve also requested that Fr. Jack examine the school environment so that it is improved for the new principal, and further asked that Father report back on his progress in this area. They were assured that the best efforts of parish and diocesan leaders were made to address any problems Mr. Vance brought to their attention. Mr. Raffenberg said that the environment at St. Vivian compared favorably with that of the other two Catholic schools that his children had attended. Joe said he knows change is difficult for all of us, but noted that we have great teachers and staff and that we'll continue to have a good school. Jan related the teachers were surprised by Mr. Vance's resignation, but they realize that principals don't tend to stay for lengthy periods in most schools and were comfortable with his decision.

Temporal Affairs - Michael Vilaboy

Temporal Affairs meets later this month. The final review of the budget will be made. Cost for insurance and utilities have risen to create a necessary rise in tuition.

Patty reminded the committee that the grocery fund sales of Kroger, IGA Meijer and Johnny's Toys go toward each individual family's tuition reduction. As of March 31, the average reduction was about $140 for those who participated. May 31, 2001 is the last day to buy grocery certificates to be able to apply to next year school bill. The Grocery Fund has risen in sales this year from $6,000 per week in the past to $13,000- $15,000. About 61% of the families with children in the school participate in the Grocery Fund program. Proceeds of the Script certificate sales go toward a technology fund this year.

Principal - Kevin Vance

No report submitted

Religious Education /Pastoral Associate - Chris Siciliano

Chris gave those present the Summer 2001 schedule for Make Straight the Way of the Lord. This program is in its 25th year of being sponsored by Cincinnati Religious Association and the office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Information will be at the church doors, the bulletin or by calling Chris's office.

Donna told Chris that the commission was buying a book or books on animals for the school library in memory of Chris's mother who died recently. Mary Hanson the school librarian will help Donna pick out the book or books.

Director of Youth Ministry/ Religious Education - Jodie Bender

Joe asked Jodie to relay to the committee some feedback about First Communion and Confirmation. We all learn more about our religion as our children prepare for sacraments.

Jodie and father discussed plans for the sacrament of Confirmation. They saw it as a priority that Confirmation be celebrated at St. Vivian and by a bishop. They would like to have it each year. Jodie said that publications for parents about the theology of the sacrament were a little difficult to find. Jodie further discussed the candidates and their community service projects and that some are still carrying on the service to the community. No Confirmation has been scheduled for next year.

Youth ministry in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades was well received. Jodie is unsure about whether she will continue to include the 6th grade in next year's junior high program.

Mr. Eve asked whether the 6th grade would be treated as part of the junior high in school in the coming year. The new principal will make this decision, but hopefully after considering input from Education Commission and others. Previously, Education Commission suggested to Mr. Vance that parents, teachers, and students be surveyed to evaluate how well the reorganization has operated, but it didn't appear that this recommendation would be acted upon.

The young adult (ages 19 to 39) program will not be formally continued next year due to budget cuts.

VII. New Business

Computer Lab

Dave Raffenberg gave an over view of the progress of the ad hoc volunteers with respect to the schools computer lab. The members of the technology committee are: Dave and Bridget Raffenberg, Mary Kay Berning, Scott Froese, and Mark Romito. They have taken on the task of fixing problems with the school's computers and examining whether we have received everything we purchased, and it appears as though there may be some discrepancies. Mrs. Hoagland asked teachers for a list of problems and concerns the teachers have with the computer lab. The committee talked with another school to find out about their computer system. They were also given a copy of St. Vivian's statement of work from FSN. The agreement only included basic installation of the network and software. It does not provide for ongoing maintenance and support.

Dave felt the Technology committee was not asked to set policy or curriculum for the lab but to help the system run. A new T1 line is being installed to replace the current connection. Some new software may be needed to improve the computer system.

Dave came to the Education commission for direction. Mary Beth Hoagland is currently tasked to devote a few hours a week as the resource person for the computer lab. Father felt there should be a full or part time person for this job, but noted that finances are very tight and it would be difficult to hire such a person at this time. Kevin McMackin suggested that this might be a job for a college student as an intern. Jan thanked Dave for his help.

Education Commission Elections

Elections are this weekend. There was a brief discussion of ballot counting procedures. Joe will call candidates regarding the results.

Our Hearts are Burning

Discussion of the Introduction, first and second chapters was postponed. Members were reminded to read chapters three and four (pages 62 &endash; 84) for next meeting.

Parent Survey

Members were reminded to fill out and return their parent's survey regarding the school that was sent by Fr. Jack. A notice will be placed in the bulletin reminding parents to return the survey as this information will enable us to compare the functioning of the school from last year to this year.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday June 21st. at 7:00 p.m.

Adjournment

Adjournment was motioned by Michael, seconded by Donna. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40. The meeting was closed with a prayer.