Year-End Notes Year-End Summary from the School Board Principal Stasi's Letter Full Year-End News from the School Board Meeting Minutes Mar. 13, 2010 Dec. 14, 2009 Nov. 16, 2009 Oct. 19, 2009 Sept. 21, 2009 Aug 24, 2009 Downloads Meet & Greet PowerPoint Presentation 8.5MB

School Board

What is the School Board?

Seeking to be guided by the Holy Spirit, the School Board is a consultative body that provides direction and advice to school administration and the Pastor regarding issues that affect the school.  It is made up of the Pastor, President and Principal, plus members who serve three-year terms.

The Board divides its responsibility into five standing committees: Development, Enrollment, Finance, Marketing and Alumni. On occasion, it will create special committees to take on special projects (i.e., Centennial and Preschool currently).

Members currently serving include:

Tom Kelly	President	3rd year
Kevin Delaplane	Treasurer	3rd year (extended term)
Greg Elisha	Marketing	3rd year
Jim Fleming	Finance	3rd year
Mike Mallon	Development, Centennial	3rd year
Pam Edwards	Centennial	2nd year
Peter Eschenbach	Enrollment, Finance	2nd year
Matt Fosket	Finance, Preschool	2nd year
Cindy Boor	Development	1st year
Kathleen Buck	Development, Alumni	1st year
Stacey Drennan	Enrollment	1st year
Maggie Sluzas	Marketing	1st year

School Board Meetings

All meetings are held on the third Monday of each month in the School Library, unless otherwise specified. No meetings are held in July or December. All School Board meetings are open to the public, except when an Executive Session is called to order.

If you have an agenda item you wish to be included, please inform Mrs. Stasi at least one week prior to the monthly meeting date. Please note that only issues that fall into the scope of the School Board will be placed on the agenda.  Mrs. Stasi can be reached at (630) 969-4306 or at her e-mail address, rstasi@stjosephdg.org.

School Board Meeting Minutes can also be downloaded from the links above.

Standing Committees

Development
The Development Committee was formed to create a proactive, sustainable fundraising and development approach that supports the financial well-being of St. Joseph School. Through the planning and implementation of Development activities, funds are raised to grow the Second Century Fund. All families are called upon to make an annual Development Commitment that can be met through a variety of options, including attendance of sponsored events, participation in the Grand Raffle, purchase of Manna gift cards, purchase of a sponsorship or directory listing, or a monetary donation.  Another key purpose of these activities is to build and promote community in the school and parish family.

Enrollment
Through recruitment and retention efforts, the Enrollment Committee seeks to grow the St. Joseph School student population and retain current students/families. Open House (on the last Sunday of January) kicks off the annual enrollment campaign. A variety of promotional tactics are used to attract potential Kindergarten families to tour during Open House and to register for the upcoming school year. In recent years, initiatives have also focused on promoting to families looking at middle schools in the area, resulting in larger numbers of transfer students in all grades. The Enrollment Committee works closely with the Marketing and Catholic Schools Week Committees to coordinate promotional and Open House activities.

Finance
The Finance Committee's primary responsibilities include developing, executing and monitoring an appropriate financial strategy for the school and Second Century Fund in concert with the Pastor, President, Principal and Parish Finance Council. This includes: 

• Along with the Parish Business Manager, develop an annual budget for the school and the Second Century Fund for approval by School Board, President, Principal, Pastor and Parish Finance Council. This includes setting long-term, multi-year financing strategy for the school (e.g., tuition, stewardship, fundraising and parish investment).
• On a monthly basis, in concert with Parish Business Manager, Pastor, President, Principal and School Board, review actual results to budget of school and Second Century Fund to ensure results are in line with budget. Review variances to determine acceptability or corrective action.
• In concert with Parish Business Manager, oversee the tuition assistance program. This includes setting the parameters of the program and participating in the tuition assistance process to review applications (no-name basis) and formulate recommendations to Pastor, President and Principal.
• Assist Parish Business Manager as needed, with families who are in arrears on stewardship, tuition, and extended care in developing plans for resolution.
• Oversee Development Committee in setting financial goals and reviewing actual results.
• Work with Parish Finance Committee and Parish Council on facilities needs.

Marketing
The primary goal of the Marketing Committee is to promote St. Joseph School and enhance the school’s communications internally and externally. To accomplish this, we have created a sustainable communications plan, consistent image and messaging, and ongoing communications to school committees and families. Expertise within the committee includes communication planning, execution and measurement of programs; visual design; writing/editing; public relations; printing; and technology solutions.

Key activities:

• Launched new identity system and guidelines in 2008, which included a new school logo, tagline, positioning and messaging.
• Create Development promotional materials for all events and activities to increase participation.
• Assist school administration, school board and sub-committees in their marketing efforts.
• Assist in developing communications for Open House and Enrollment efforts.
• Collaborate on a variety of other projects, including website updates and search engine optimization, School Directory, SpiritWear, alumni mailings, Annual Appeal, Centennial planning, etc.

Alumni
The Saint Joseph Alumni Committee is actively engaged in locating and reaching out to more than 4,000 SJS Alumni that span nine decades. The Committee works with alumni to create an active and vibrant Alumni Association focused on building community and creating a lasting legacy.  A dynamic and effective Association will help further the St. Joseph School mission and support “Excellence in Catholic Education” for generations to come.

How do I volunteer to help the School Board?

Call the School Office at (630) 969-4306.

How do I become a School Board Member?

Each year, at least one School Board member completes his/her term of office, thus creating a vacancy. St. Joseph Parish uses a process of discernment to fill these positions. Discernment is not an election, but rather a decision process that uses both prayer and dialogue. It requires that each person interested in becoming a School Board member reflect on his or her own talents, time and energy. Discernment information packets are available in February, and discernment meetings are generally held in March, April and May. The School Board seats new members at its May meeting.

The qualifications for being a St. Joseph School Board Member are:

• Be a registered member of St. Joseph Parish or parent of a child attending the school.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Be able to attend monthly School Board meetings.
• Be able to serve for three years.
• Have a desire and ability to work effectively on a committee.
• Be willing to maintain high levels of integrity and confidentiality.
• Be willing to promote school goals of service, welcome, academic, prayer and development.
• Be willing to support and participate in development activities.
• Exhibit a demonstrated competence and interest in his/her chosen field of committee involvement.

St. Joseph School Board Members may:

• Not have been a member of the School Board, Parish Council, Religious Education Board, or be an officer of Parent Forum or Athletic & Booster during the past two years;
• Be the only member of your immediate family to serve on any board at the same time; and
• Not be a salaried employee of the parish, nor spouse or blood relative of a salaried employee of the parish.

For more information on becoming a School Board member,
please contact the School Office at (630) 969-4306.