MINOT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
MINUTES OF MARCH 29, 2007 MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M. at Our Lady of Grace.
I. Opening Prayer - Fr. Lindemann.
II. Roll Call - Brenda Nush
Members Present: Katy Allers, Bob Anderson, Rick Awalt, Karla Backes, Kim Burckhard, Don Burke, Bob Crockett, Wanda Dobrovolny, Kristi Feist, Mike Gaddie, Fr. Harvey, Jim Kasper, Fr. Lindemann, Gregg Magnuson, Dean Rubbelke, Terresa Schulenberg, Janelle Schell, Jenny Steckler, and Fr. Walter
Members Absent: Steve Wald and Fr. Zimmer
Ex-Officio Members Present: Kevin Harmon, Barb Johnson, Brenda Nush, Terry Voiles and Gary Volk
Ex-Officio Absent:
III. Recommended Action
A. Motion by Karla Backes and seconded by Jenny Steckler to approve the minutes of the February 2007 meeting. Motion passed, all ayes.
B. Motion by Fr. Harvey and seconded by Rick Awalt to accept the financial statements for February, 2007, approving general fund checks #21571-21714 and payroll checks #55036-55186. Motion passed, all ayes.
C. Additional Agenda Items: Teacher Request for Leave.
IV. School Reports
A. Elementary Report - Mr. Volk presented his written report - highlighting Living Stations; Chrism Mass; Flat Stanleys; Easter Break and the Schwan's Fund Raiser.
B. High School Report - Gearing up for graduation on May 20th; on behalf of the Special Olympics, Mr. Voiles extended a sincere thank you to the students, parishes and the Knights of Columbus for their help in hosting the event at Bishop Ryan.
C. Superintendent's Report: Mr. Harmon spoke on the Corporate Board Meeting on March 23rd and the presentation made there and at the college that afternoon. He also spoke on the vision which is student centered - "What a Bishop Ryan graduate must know."
Committee Reports
A. Development and Marketing: Barb Johnson presented her written report; and spoke about the flyers that were in the church Bulletins; prospective student day on March 9; the open houses at the elementary schools, and read a portion of the letter from an alumni who is leaving his entire estate to MCS. The softball grant from St. Joseph's Foundation is a matching grant, $3,000/year - we are in the 2nd year of 5 for this grant; for 2006-2007 the $3,000 will be matched by the Knights of Columbus Raffle.
B. Curriculum & Technology: Jenny Steckler reported on the Science curriculum - should be completed by June; Mr. Harmon spoke on an offer from the Burdick Job Corps for Bishop Ryan Juniors and seniors interested in trade classes (auto mechanics, health careers, etc).
C. Finance Committee: Did not meet in March, no report this meeting.
D. Facilities Maintenance and Transportation Committee: No report.
E. Personnel Development and Retention: No Report.
F. Student Life & Safety: No report.
G. Structure Committee: Bob Anderson submitted a proposal for first reading of amendments to the by-laws of the Minot Catholic School Board as follows: a) Voting rules and procedures: Clarify voter eligibility for participation in elections of board positions; Voter eligibility for open election of board members shall be limited to those parents and guardians of students enrolled in Minot Catholic Schools; students must be currently enrolled at the time of the election, grades K-12. b) Parish Representatives for Minot Catholic Schools - The voter eligibility limitation shall not apply to any process for selection of a board member representing a Minot Catholic parish. Minot Catholic parishes may independently determine how parish representatives to Minot Catholic Schools are selected. c) Minot Catholic School Board Eligibility: Clarify eligibility for the Minot Catholic Schools Board; Eligibility for serving on the board of Minot Catholic Schools shall exclude current Minot Catholic School staff employees that are half time or greater, and their spouses. This eligibility requirement shall apply to all selected, appointed and elected board positions; except parish priests and ex-officio positions. d) Ex-officio members of the school board may include the Superintendent, Development Director, Board secretary, and the School Principals. e) Minot AFB representative term shall hold for one/three years. These changes and the positions that are expiring on the Board this year were discussed. Suggestions on decreasing the size of the board followed, and Mr. Rubbelke asked Bob Anderson, Chair of the Structure Committee to come back with a proposal next month for reducing the number of Board members.
H. Catholic Identity: This month's meeting included discussion on the areas of service for K-12; and the Expectations of the Bishop Ryan Graduate.
I. Foundation: Foundation meeting April 12.
V. New Business
A. 2007-2008 School Calendar: Calendar presented to the Board for a first reading.
B. MCS Visioning Report: Mr. Harmon presented the Board with two questions to which he requested written responses are given. The questions were "Why do the Minot Catholic Schools exist?" and "What are we (the School Board) here to do together?"
C. Faculty Request for Leave: Ruth Veselka, English teacher at Bishop Ryan, has submitted a written request asking for her position in the 2007-2008 school year, be considered for half-time, with the request to return to full-time for the 2008-2009 school year. Following discussion, motion by Mike Gaddie and seconded by Bob Crockett to grant Mrs. Veselka's request. Motion carried, all ayes.
D. MCS Retirement Plan: Mr. Harmon informed the board of the intentions of the MCS staff to start converting current stocks to money market, as the current Money Purchase Pension Plan needs to be closed by August 31, 2007.
E. Contemplated Non-Renewals: Diocesan handbook procedures were read to the board regarding non-renewals of teacher contracts and the following motion was made by Rick Awalt I move that a special meeting of the board be held in executive session at St. John's Church on Thursday, April 26, beginning at 6 p.m., at which time the board will discuss the contemplated non-renewal of the current teaching contracts of Malia Moncrief, part-time choral and part-time Toddler program; Kym Braaten, Kindergarten, and Brad Ulland, Social Studies teacher, for the reasons set forth by Superintendent Kevin Harmon and that the business manager send the teacher a letter to that effect, including the specified reason(s). Motion was seconded by Gregg Magnuson, discussion followed with Mr. Harmon stating the reasons for non-renewal as follows: Malia Moncrief and Kym Braaten are non-renewed due to reduction in force, and Mr. Ulland is non-renewed due to failure to hold teacher's license in contracted area. Mr. Harmon also informed the board that resignations for the 2007-2008 to date include Mike Stafford, Science, Jane Edwards, English and Maria Schmidt in band. A roll call vote was taken by Brenda Nush with all members present voting Aye. Motion carries.
Next meeting date was scheduled for Thursday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at St. John's to allow non-renewed teachers to come before the board in executive session if they wish, and the regular meeting to follow at 7 p.m.
Closing Prayer - Fr. Walter.
/S/ Dean Rubbelke
Dean Rubbelke
School Board President
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