SCHOOL COUNCIL MINUTES

2009 – 2010 School Year

February 24, 2010

Annex Library

6:30 pm

 

 

Members Present:  Mark Cortez, President; Anna Gonzaba, Vice-President; Cynthia Uviedo, Secretary; Raul Cardenas, Treasurer; Fr. Eddy Morales, Pastor; Ann Lauder, Principal; Margaret Garcia, UIW representative; Angela Reyes; Russell Castillo; Estelle Rodriguez; Priscilla Gonzaba; Tim Palomera; Susan Sossaman and John Ed Stepan.

 

Members Absent: Baldemar Garza and Michael Valdes.

 

Guests Present: Becky Finley, Business Manager

 

I.       CALL TO ORDER:  President Mark Cortez called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Raul Cardenas led the opening prayer.

 

II.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The minutes from the January council meeting were presented. Tim Palomera made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Estelle Rodriguez.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

 

III.   APPROVAL OF AGENDA. The agenda was sent out by email to members. Margaret Garcia made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Raul Cardenas. The agenda was approved as presented.

 

IV.  PRESIDENT’S OPENING REMARKS.   None.

 

V.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

1.               Finance/Tuition and Fee Collection

Treasurer Raul Cardenas distributed the financial report.  For the month of January, we show a loss of $34,892, but for year to date, we are at a profit of $111,901, ahead of the budget.  Raul noted that $54,000 of the profit will be used to pay the outstanding note.  

 

Russell Castillo moved to approve the Finance report, seconded by Margaret Garcia. The report was unanimously approved.

 

2.               Building and Grounds

Committee Chairman Russell Castillo reported that we purchased a new water fountain. He’s getting more proposals on adding the outlets. It looks like it will cost approximately $12,000 to do the 8 classrooms.

 

John Ed Stepan moved to approve the Building & Grounds report, seconded by Angela Reyes. The report was unanimously approved.

 

3.               Development

Angela Reyes reported that the Archdiocese’s Khaki and Plaid event was very successful and raised $100,000.  The Catholic School Preview was held last Saturday. At the event, our staff spoke to 10 families who were interested in the Early Childhood program at St. Dominic’s. In addition, two families have come to tour the main campus.

 

Russell Castillo moved to approve the Development report, seconded by John Ed Stepan. The report was unanimously approved.

 

4.               Student Life   

Tim Palomera reported that the security cameras are up and running and the new phones are operational.  We now have 8 lines and the capability to transfer between campuses.

 

John Ed Stepan moved to approve the Student Life report, seconded by Russell Castillo. The report was unanimously approved.

 

VI.          New Business

 

1.                    Principal’s Report   

Current Enrollment/Registration to Date – Enrollment is at 372. We recently added two students and one is starting after Spring Break. For next year, we have 11 new siblings and 20 new students so far.  Ms. Yvette is doing 1 to 2 tours daily for prospective students.

 

SPS Early Childhood @ St. Dominic’s – We have started recruiting students at St. Dominic’s and are asking for enrollments by April 1st in order to hire staff.

 

ITBS Testing – The state has moved to this testing system (Iowa Test of Basic Skills). The Cogat will be administered to all grade levels including kindergarten. Ann will talk to parents more about the testing at the PTC meeting on March 10th. The ITBS will be given for three days (3/29 to 3/31) in the mornings.  The Cogat will be given 3/24 to 3/26.

 

March Calendar Items – Distributed

 

Summer Camp Registration – So far 14 children are registered for summer camp.

 

Scholarship Information – The information was sent to all parents by email.  The deadline is April 12th.

 

Applications for Vice Principal Position – As of today, Ann has received 16 applications. The position is open until Friday. Ann will send an email to council asking them to send her their top requirements for the candidates. Ann wants to interview 5 or 6 candidates during the week of March 8th.

 

Letters of Intent – Letters are starting to come in. Teachers have until March 15th to submit their letter of intent.

 

Calendar for 2010-11 – The school year will start Aug. 16.  Once the calendar is approved and signed by Fr. Eddy and Mark Cortez, Ann will send it out to council.

 

San Antonio Business Journal – We will be included in their March spotlight on Education.

 

2.                    Pastor’s Report   

Fr. Eddy reminded the council that the Stations of the Cross are held at noon on Fridays. He encouraged Ann to have the students attend when possible.


 

 

3.                    PTC Report

The PTC report was distributed by email prior to the meeting. Priscilla reported that the spring fundraising committee will be meeting next week.  The PTC is planning a casual gala type event to be held on May 1 (tentatively).  The price should be $100 per couple and they are hoping to have silent auction items similar to the Halloween baskets that are provided by each classroom. 

 

The PTC Board has two positions to fill on the board and Priscilla is awaiting a firm yes or no from 5 board members.  Priscilla's term should be over at the end of this school year, but if there are no successors, she is willing to continue.

 

4.                    Member’s Items

 

Russell Castillo asked about sponsors for the upcoming golf tournament.  The idea of raffling one month's tuition for one child was proposed.  Ann indicated that we can consider a dollar amount to raffle to put toward tuition. 

 

John Ed Stepan provided a detailed report on the Playground Project and handed out a tri-fold flyer that will be distributed to all parents.  It was discussed that the flyer could be sent in report cards and also distributed at the PTC General Meeting.  John Ed will check with Fr. Eddy about placing the flyer in the church bulletin.  He reported that the architect is waiting to hear back from insurance companies re: securing the policies required by the Archdiocese. John Ed's goal is to start the project before the summer break to illustrate to parents our commitment to the project.  John Ed reported that efforts to secure donations from local businesses are ongoing. 

 

VII.               PRESIDENT’S CLOSING REMARKS:

None.

 

VIII.               CLOSING PRAYER: 

         The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

 

Next meeting: March 24, 2010

 

Respectfully submitted by:

 

 

                                                                                    ________________________________     ________________________________

                                                                                    Mark Cortez, President                                Cynthia Uviedo, Secretary