December 13, 2007
Regular Meeting Agenda Purpose:
Santa Clara is meeting tonight as an official advisory council. There has not been an active school board in seven years. Tonight’s meeting is to set the agenda and date for a January meeting 2008.
Items to be discussed are finance, programs of the school, strategic plan, and goals for next school year.
Participants:
Father Juan Antonio Pastor
Todd A. Higginbotham Principal
Norberto Guillen
Isabel Arista
Sr. Margaret McCaffrey
Fernando Ventura
Jim O’Neil
Process:
To expedite the board's business and to provide a framework for the orderly conduct of business, the Principal in cooperation with the School Board President will prepare an agenda outlining the matters to be brought to board attention at meetings.
The board will follow the order of business set up by the agenda unless the order is modified by vote of the board during the meeting.
The agenda for a meeting will normally proceed according to the following order of business:
- Call to order and Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance and Mission Statement
- Program, Reports and Correspondence
- Modification of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Open forum
- Action Items
- Discussion Items
- Executive session/Closed Session to public
The agenda of all regularly scheduled informational meet-ings, however, will allow suitable time for the remarks of the public who wish to speak before the board. The agenda, together with supporting materials, will be distributed to board members at least four working days before the board meeting to permit them to give items of business careful consideration. The agenda will also be made available to the Parent and posted in all school buildings. |
The Advisory Council
Mr. Todd Higginbotham, Principal called the meeting to order at 5:00p.m. on December 13, 2007 with a prayer.
Present: Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T., Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C., Mr. Todd Higginbotham, Mr. Noberto Guillen, and Isabel Astavista.
Purpose:
Santa Clara met on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. as an official advisory council. The purpose was to set the agenda and a date for future meetings. It was decided that we would discuss finance, programs, strategic plan and goals for the year. The date for the next advisory council meeting was set for January 10, 2008 at 5:00p.m. in the teachers lounge.
Process:
To expedite the board’s business and to provide a framework for the orderly conduct of business the Principal in cooperation with the School Board President will prepare an agenda outlining the matters to be brought to board attention at meetings.
Order of business:
- Call to order and Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance and Mission Statement
- Program, Reports and Correspondence
- Modification of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Open forum
- Action items
- Discussion Items
- Executive session/closed Session to public.
Finances were discussed. P.S.K. audits the schools books once a year. The Fiscal Year is from July1 through June 30. Quick Books used.
Programs in the school at this time are: Literacy Program, Computer Lab and updating the library.
At present the school is busy preparing for the accreditation which takes place every ten years. Seven domains will be covered and the teachers are busy doing them.
The agenda of all regularly scheduled informational meetings, however, will allow suitable time for the remarks of the public who wish to speak before the board. The agenda, together with supporting materials, will be distributed to board members at least four working days before the board meeting to permit them to give items of business careful consideration. The agenda will also be made available to the parent and posted in all school buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00p.m.
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January 10, 2008
Regular Meeting Agenda
Purpose:
Santa Clara is meeting tonight as an official advisory council. There has not been an active school board in seven years. Tonight’s meeting is to discuss finance, programs of the school, strategic plan, and goals for next school year.
Participants:
Father Juan Antonio Pastor
Todd A. Higginbotham Principal
Norberto Guillen
Isabel Arista
Sr. Margaret McCaffrey
Fernando Ventura
Jim O’Neil
Norma Nunez
Process:
To expedite the board's business and to provide a framework for the orderly conduct of business, the Principal in cooperation with the School Board President will prepare an agenda outlining the matters to be brought to board attention at meetings.
The board will follow the order of business set up by the agenda unless the order is modified by vote of the board during the meeting.
The agenda for a meeting will normally proceed according to the following order of business:
- Call to order and Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance and Mission Statement
- Program, Reports and Correspondence
- Modification of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Open forum
- Action Items
- Discussion Items
- Executive session/Closed Session to public
The agenda of all regularly scheduled informational meet-ings, however, will allow suitable time for the remarks of the public who wish to speak before the board. The agenda, together with supporting materials, will be distributed to board members at least four working days before the board meeting to permit them to give items of business careful consideration. The agenda will also be made available to the Parent and posted in all school buildings. |
The Advisory Council
Mr. Todd Higginbotham, Principal, called the Advisory Council Meeting to order at 5:00p.m.on January 10, 2008.
Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T., Pastor, opened the Advisory Council Meeting with a prayer.
Present: Father Juan Antonio, O.SS.T., Pastor, Todd A. Higginbotham, Principal, Norberto Guillen, President, Isabel Arista, Vice-President, Norma Nunez and Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C., Secretary.
Absent: Norma Rodriguez, Fernando Ventura and Jim O’Neil, Finance Officer.
Todd Higginbotham and Norberto Guillen will prepare the agenda for the Advisory Council Meeting. This will provide a framework for an orderly conducting of business. The agenda will be distributed to the board members four working days prior to the Advisory Council Meeting. This will provide time for all to give careful consideration to the agenda. Also, the agenda will be made available to the parents and posted in the school.
The meeting will proceed in the following order:
- Call to order and Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance and Mission Statement
- Program, Reports and Correspondence
- Modification of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Open forum
- Action Items
- Discussion Items
- Executive session/Closed Session to public.
Norberto Guillen gave a background sketch of the first Advisory Council and stressed the need for an Advisory Council Board to help the school move forward. Isabel Arista, Norberto Guillen and Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. were board members on the first Advisory Council at Santa Clara Catholic School. Norberto Guillen stressed the need for confidentiality at all meetings. This will enable board members to give their opinions freely without fear.
Mr. Todd Higginbotham discussed the budget. Mr. Mike Wise from the Diocese was sent the Santa Clara Budget and their need for financial assistance. To this day he has not given any response.
Norberto Guillen stated that Santa Clara Catholic School was set up for the people of this area and the tuition must be made affordable to them.
Father Juan Antonio stated that we need to help parents who are in need of help. This is to be done to assist them get out of a bind and then we must teach them ways of helping themselves. Handouts are fine for a short period of time only.
On February 10, 2008 their will be a dinner for the Team that will conduct the accreditation.
Father Juan Antonio said that we must focus on the business at hand, that is, the accreditation which will be February 11, 12 and 13.
The next Advisory Council meeting will be on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 5:00p.m. which will be held in the teacher’s lounge.
The Advisory Council meeting adjourned at 6:15p.m.
_______________________________
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C.
Secretary of Santa Clara Catholic School
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February 7, 2008
The Advisory Council
Noberto Guillen, president, called the Advisory Council meeting to order at 5:00p.m.
The role call was made.
Present: Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T., pastor, Todd A. Higginbotham, principal, Norberto Guillen, president, Isabel Arista, vice-president, Norma Nunez, and Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C., Secretary.
Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T., pastor, opened the Advisory Council meeting with a prayer.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. read the minutes from the January 10, 2008 Advisory Council Meeting. She asked if there were any suggestions or deletions. Noberto Guillen gave a motion that the minutes be accepted as read and Norma Nunez seconded it. The minutes were accepted as read.
The Advisory Council meeting is held on the first Thursday of every month at 5:00p.m. It takes place in the teachers lounge. The next Advisory Council meeting will be on March 6, 2008.
The main topic of discussion was the upcoming accreditation. Todd Higginbotham went over the main points that we needed to be updated on. For example, the Mission Statement and requirements for a Catholic School
Curriculum. He mentioned the need for a crucifix and small altar in each classroom. Todd Higginbotham felt that the teachers had worked hard for the accreditation teams visit. He stated that as always we can expect some recommendations to be made.
Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. stated that we needed to look into our cleaning chemicals to make sure they were in compliance with state law. He suggested that we stop using clorox on the floors and bathrooms. Isabel Arista said she would let us know what we can or cannot use in the school. The importance is to keep the students safe.
Much discussion was done on how to improve the schools financial concerns. Nortberto Guillen suggested that we might have to go up on the tuition. The concern was that we would loose too many students if we did that. Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. suggested that we make the people more aware of the importance of a catholic school education. In this way we would help educate the parents. Hopefully they would change their priorities and put school higher on their list of importance.
Todd Higginbotham and the principals will be meeting with Bishop Kevin Farrell in March. Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. suggested that to help our money concerns perhaps the Bishop would be willing to stop all mission appeals so the church would have more money to help subsidize the school and balance the budget.
Todd Higginbotham informed the Advisory Council board members that there would be no fish fry on Fridays during Lent.
Todd Higginbotham invited all the Advisory Council board members to be present to welcome the accreditation team on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 3:00p.m. All agreed to be present.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. motioned that the meeting adjourn at 6:10p.m. Norbert Guillen seconded it. The Advisory Council Meeting adjourned at 6:10p.m.
Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. concluded with a prayer.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C.
Secretary of Santa Clara Catholic School
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March 10, 2008 Advisory Council
Father Juan Antonio Perez, pastor, called the Advisory Council Meeting to order with a prayer on March 10, 2008 at 5:00p.m.
Present: Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T., pastor, Norberto Guillen, president, Isabel Arista, Vice-President, and Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C., Secretary.
Absent: Todd Higginbotham, principal, and Norma Nunez.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey,O.L.C. read the minutes from the February 7, 2008 Advisory Council Meeting. She asked if there were any additions or deletions. Norberto Guillen motioned that they be accepted as read and Isabel Arista seconded them. The minutes were accepted as read.
Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T., gave a report on the accreditation and stated that it was positive. The accreditation team found a positive and welcoming atmosphere at Santa Clara Academy. The school did well on the accreditation.
Norma Rodriguez, school secretary, gave Father Juan Antonio, O.SS.T., the list of parents who had paid full tuition and those who made arrangements to pay their child’s tuition. It was decided that we need a more comprehensive report. The Advisory Council will decide on who will be awarded tuition assistance in the future.
Community service hours completed and parents who need to complete them was given to Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. The report needs to be more complete.
The Advisory Council decided that we need to know the school budget and then we will be able to decide on how much tuition will be. At the next meeting, April 3, 2008 we will discuss and come to a decision on tuition.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. moved that the meeting adjourn at 6:10p.m. Norberto Guillen seconded it. The meeting adjourned with a prayer at 6:10p.m.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C.
Secretary of Santa Clara Academy
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April 3, 2008 Advisory Council Agenda
1. Complete list of parents who have paid full tuition.
2. Complete list of all who have made arrangements to pay their child’s tuition.
3. Complete list of parents who have finished their community service hours.
4. Amount of Santa Clara deficit and strategies on how to resolve it.
5. Discuss tuition for 2008-2009.
6. Report on Accreditation of Santa Clara Academy. |
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes for April 3, 2008
Father Juan Antonio Perez, pastor, called the Advisory Council Meeting to order with a prayer on April 3, 2008 at 5:00p.m.
Present: Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. pastor, Todd A. Higginbotham, principal, Norberto Guillen, president, Isabel Arista, vice-president, Norma Nunez, and Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. Secretary.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. read the minutes from the March 10, 2008 Advisory Council Meeting. She asked if there were any additions or deletions. Noberto Guillen motioned that they be accepted as read and Isabel Arista seconded them. The minutes were accepted as read.
The list of parents who paid full tuition was discussed. It was decided that Todd A. Higginbotham gives a detailed list of the names of the parents who had paid in full.
Father Juan Antonio stated that the Advisory Council will decide who gets scholarships. Todd A. Higginbotham was requested to give a complete list of parents who are now receiving assistance. Also, he was asked to give a list of parents who owed tuition and the amount. This information will be given at the next Advisory Council Meeting.
Norberto Guillen requested that Todd A. Higginbotham give the number of students in Santa Clara Academy.
Todd A. Higginbotham stated that the deficit for Santa Clara Academy this year is $50,000.00.
The Advisory Council decided to have a meeting on April 10th at 5:00p.m. At this meeting the 2008-2009 tuition for students and strategies to help take care of the school deficit will be discussed.
Nortberto Guillen moved that the Advisory Council Meeting adjourn at 6:15p.m. It was seconded by Norma Nunez. The Advisory Council Meeting adjourned at 6:15p.m.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C.
Secretary of Santa Clara Academy
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Advisory Council Meeting Minutes for April 10, 2008
Father Juan Antonio Perez, pastor, called the Advisory Council Meeting to order with a prayer on April 10, 2008 at 5:00p.m.
Present: Father Juan Antonio Perez, O.SS.T. pastor, Mr. Todd A. Higginbotham, principal, Norberto Guillen, president, Isabel Arista, vice-president, Norma Nunez, and Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. Secretary.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C. read the minutes from the April 3, 2008 Advisory Council Meeting. She asked if there were any additions or deletions. Noberto Guillen motioned that they be accepted as read and Isabel Arista seconded them. The minutes were accepted as read.
Norma Rodriguez made a list of parents and their tuition status. Mr. Todd A. Higginbotham, principal, gave a copy to each Advisory Council member.
Norberto Guillen stated that we needed to have an outside audit done on the finances. Mr. Todd A. Higginbotham explained that PSK audits the books once a year. Also, that we use QuickBooks for our finances. Norma Rodriguez is the bookkeeper for the school.
Approximately $10,000 was collected on delinquent tuition in the school. Mr. Todd A. Higginbotham will continue making an effort to collect owed tuition from the parents.
Father Juan Antonio Perez stated that in the future all checks will have two signatures. Also, he reiterated the need to instruct parents on the necessity
for children to have a Catholic School education. Due to our financial concerns no discounts will be given on tuition.
The sprinkler system will need to be taken care of before the next inspection on April 18, 2008.
It is important that the coaches for soccer and other games treat the players with respect. The team represents Santa Clara and their behavior is a reflection on the school and church.
A major concern is how to raise money to pay the teachers salaries and Insurance for the completion of the school year. All are to pray and think of ways on how to accomplish this goal.
The need to work as a team and to move forward in a positive way was stressed by all for the benefit of our students.
The next Advisory Council Meeting will be on May 1, 2008 at 5:00p.m.
Norberto Guillen moved that the Advisory Council Meeting be adjourned. Norma Nunez seconded it. The Advisory Council Meeting adjourned at 6:15p.m.
Sister Margaret A. McCaffrey, O.L.C.
Secretary
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