June 23, 2007 Board Minutes

Present: Jay Hollmeyer, Mary Imhoff, Brian Perry, Jean Tolbert, Nasse Chachoff, Cindy Gruter, Gerry Myers, Fr. Ray Kellerman, Fr. Tom Espelage, Bro. Kamis                  

Not Present:  Paul DiMario, Jerry Jones (Advisor)

Call to Order and Faith Formation: The first meeting of the St. Nicholas Academy Board of Trustees (Board) was held on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the cafeteria of St. Nicholas Academy School (SNA).  Jay Hollmeyer, as Acting Chair, called the meeting to order and opened with a Faith Formation.

Confirmation of Election Results: As the first order of business, Jay Hollmeyer reported that the SNA Steering Committee Meeting of June 5, 2007 elected standing officers for the Board:  Chair: Jay Hollmeyer, Vice-Chair: Mary Imhoff, Treasurer: Brian Perry, and Secretary: Jean Tolbert. (The standing chairs were officially approved by the Archbishop on June 8, 2007). Jay Hollmeyer made a motion to recognize the standing chairs as duly elected officers of the Board. The motion was seconded, all were in favor, and the motion passed. 

Approval of Minutes:  The SNA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes of June 5, 2007 were approved.

Communications: The Chair made a motion that Communications be the next order of business.  The motion was seconded and approved.

The Chair asked Bro. Kamis to review the Policy/Procedures for Archdiocesan Elementary Schools with Boards of Limited Jurisdiction and President/Executive Director/Principal Governance Model.

Bro. Kamis noted that the changes were on page 3 and primarily regarded matters relating to the hiring of a principal.  Bro. Kamis reviewed some key points including principal search procedures; and Board responsibilities regarding the principal’s annual review and salary recommendation.

Fr. Ray noted that the current model is based on an existing board and school.  Fr. Ray recommended that the policy and procedures be revised so schools following the St. Nicholas Academy model will have an updated document to use for guidance.

After discussion among Board members, it was agreed that the Chair will review the changes and if necessary recommend changes to the St. Nicholas Academy by-laws.  The Chair will distribute Bro. Kamis’ document to all Board members via email for review.

Officer’s/Principal’s Reports

The Chair noted for the record that the officers of the Board did not have any reports to present and asked Gerry Myers to provide the Principal’s Report.

Principals’ Report - Gerry Myers provided updates on maintenance projects including: painting, floor installation, asbestos removal, restroom leak repair, new boiler, and windows.  Gerry Myers continued his report updating school preparation issues: attendance currently at 259, “Option C” database, in-service schedule, handbooks, moving of the modular unit, and the school mailing.  Gerry Myers also reported the school website address:  saintnicholasacademy.com

Committee Reports - Final Steering Committee Reports

Moving Committee – The Chair confirmed the move date is set for July 23, 2007.  The move is on schedule and packing/labeling has been on-going. 

Athletics Committee – The Chair made a motion to table approval of the Code of Regulations of St. Nicholas Academy Athletic Board until a liaison is appointed and the changes are reviewed.  The motion was seconded, all members were in favor, and the motion passed.

Pastor’s Committee Report - Fr. Ray reported the following religious education items: The School Mass will be held every Friday at 8:30 a.m., Confirmation for both Holy Trinity and St. John 7^th and 8^th grade students is scheduled for April 2008; and the SNA Opening Prayer Service is scheduled for August 19, 2007 at 4:00 p.m.  Fr. Ray will extend invitations to both the Archbishop and Carl Lindner.  The Archbishop will offer a blessing including blessing the doors.

New Business

New Standing Committees - Fr. Ray noted that the Code of Regulations of St. Nicholas Academy Board of Trustees, Section 2 states the following regarding Standing Committees:  “The committees to be appointed as standing committees may include the following:  Pastors Committee, Development Committee, Facilities Committee, Finance Committee, and Marketing and Communications Committee.”

The Chair asked for volunteers to chair the following committees:  Development, Facilities, Finance, and Marketing and Communications.  Cindy Gruter volunteered to chair the Development Committee, Nasse Chachoff volunteered to chair the Facilities Committee, Brian Perry (as Treasurer) will chair the Finance Committee, and Jean Tolbert will chair the Marketing and Communications Committee.  All Board members were designated Chairs of their respective committees.

Addendum A (For Code of Regulations): Relationship of Principal to Board - Tabled for review at the next Board meeting. 

Budget – The Chair noted that the Budget was approved at the St. Nicholas Academy Steering Committee Meeting on June 5, 2007; however it was noted that the Board will also need to approve the Budget. The Chair will either convene a special meeting for review of the Budget, or place it on the next Board meeting’s agenda.

Catholic Directory – Fr. Ray noted that (for tax purposes) SNA should be recognized officially in the Catholic Directory.  SNA information will be published in the Fall Directory.

Other - The Chair noted for the record a thank you to both Denise Hoefling and Patty Leeseman for their hard work, endless hours, and commitment to the St. Nicholas Academy Steering Committee.

Next Meeting

After discussion, members agreed to monthly Board meetings until the end of the current year. Board meetings are tentatively scheduled for Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Academy (place to be determined).

The next Board meeting will be held Monday, July 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at St. Nicholas Academy.  The address is 7131 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45236.

Adjournment and Prayer

The Chair called for a motion to adjourn.  The motion to adjourn was followed with a prayer.  The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. 

Nancy Hackett, Recording Secretary