School Board

What is the School Board?

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The School Board is a consultative body that provides direction and gives advice to the principal and pastor regarding issues that affect the school. It is made up of the pastor and the principal, plus members who serve three-year terms. Board meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, except July and December.

The board divides it’s responsibility into three committees: Christian Living, Finance and Public Relations. On occasion, it will create a task force to take on special projects.

Who is the School Board?

2007-2008 School Board
Pastor:	Father Jerome Kish
Principal:	Sister Dorothy Randall
President:	Kevin Lynch
Members:	Vince Barrett Kevin Delaplane Tom Drennan Mary Lynn Hodshire Tom Lewandowski Roberta Raike Tom Kelly Greg Elisha

School Board Meetings

All meetings held in the Parish Center Dining Room, unless specified. No meetings 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 Sr. Dorothy 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. Sr. Dorothy can be reached at (630) 969-4306 or at her e-mail address: sjdgpr@catholic.org

School Board Meeting Minutes can also be found in a binder in the hall outside of the School Office.

Committees

Christian Living

The Christian Living Committee will strive to teach and to learn the love of Jesus Christ through increased participation of families in parish service projects, Catholic Schools Week, and Masses. We will recognize students for outstanding examples of justice, compassion and peace in our parish and in our surrounding community. We will communicate effectively with the various school and parish committees to enhance our service efforts and to minimize duplication of effort.

Activities:

Family	Programs such as “Parent to Parent” or Guest Speakers that focus on relevant issues parents are facing in today’s society including "making life less busy" and "self-esteem”. Recognizing students for Christian acts and out of school family get-togethers such as Fuddrucker’s Family Nights.

Academic	Education Commission representative, Robert Crown program.

Discernment	Lead discernment process for new School Board members and for School Board officers.

Parent Forum/A&B	Improve communication and coordinate activities

Finance

The Finance Committee is responsible for the continued financial well-being of St. Joseph School. The committee identifies the needs of the school and evaluates, recommends, and implements methods of funding those needs, including operational (ongoing costs), special needs (e.g., technology), and capital needs (e.g., building repairs & improvements). This work is done in cooperation with the pastor, the Parish Finance Council, the principal, the teachers and school staff, Parent Forum, A&B, school parents, and the parish at large.

Activities:

Identifying needs

Wish List, Facilities walk-through, etc.

Implementing methods

As needed, the Finance Committee will create task forces, headed by a committee member or a volunteer parish member, to investigate funding.

In addition, the committee will find volunteers to organize and run funding programs once identified. These volunteers will report back to the committee as needed. Current examples of such programs include the Teacher Wish List, Manna, Annual Appeal, Matching Gifts notices, Cruise the Night Dinner-Dance and the Grand Raffle.

Public Relations

The Public Relations Committee will promote St. Joseph School as being part of a community of God's People who are nourished by Word and Sacrament, and who are growing in faith, hope and love of God and neighbor. The committee will project St. Joseph School as an institution concerned not only with the educational excellence of its children, but with their ability to make life decisions based on love, family values and Christian morals.

Methods of Supporting St. Joseph School:

Provide direction in the overall public relations efforts of the school and of its various boards and committees.

Support the public relations efforts of School Board's Finance Committee and Christian Living Committee, as well as the efforts of the principal, teachers, staff and pastor.

Stimulate public interest in St. Joseph School by promoting the benefits of a Catholic education and our environment of love, morals, and family values.

Improve and enhance communication with both internal and external publics.
Internal: Pastor, principal, teachers, staff, students, parents
External: Parish, community, businesses, political leaders, civic organizations, other schools

Help build a community spirit within the St. Joseph School setting that works for the good of the children.

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 their 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;
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 promote school goals of service, welcome, academic, prayer and development;
be willing to support and participate in fund-raising activities;

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 nuclear 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, contact the school office at (630) 969-4306.

Why I Like St. Joe's: