Lumen Christi Catholic School
School Board Meeting
Dominiak Hall-Thiensville
February 14th, 6:30 P.M.
Members in Attendance: Joe Cesarz, Mary Ellen Griffin, Mary Hauke, Kelly Fyfe,
Steve Gedman, Fr. Dan Sanders, Michelle Correa, Anne Best, Kim Althaus, Mary Lee
Odem and Pat Sheehy
Guests in Attendance: Laurie Yingling
1. Joe Cesarz read the Sundays Gospel.
2. Open Session
a. Kelly Fyfe discussed a library / media center inquiry that was
submitted by a parent (the summary message was attached to this
meeting’s agenda as a pre-read). Kelly acknowledged that the books
and library could use an update but indicated that the budget for new
books and enhanced staffing is not in place in this year’s budget. Kelly
then asked Laurie Yingling to make a presentation on traditional
libraries versus media centers.
b. Laurie stated that there has been a change in the certification of a
Librarian versus a Library Media Specialist. The position of Librarian
is expanding toward digital learning. Students no longer go to
libraries to solely check out books. Parents need to be informed as to
what exactly a Library Media Specialist’s job would entail and the how
that position, and a Library Media Center, furthers the
implementation of one-to-one learning.
c. Kelly’s recommendation is to form an ad hoc committee to define
what a library media center should be at Lumen Christi – including
staffing, supporting curriculum, facility enhancements, etc. Kelly will
work on creating a roster for this committee by our next school board
meeting. It will consist of parents, staff, and members of the
technology sub-committee.
d. Joe made a motion to approve the school calendar as-is. Mary Lee
seconded, and the motion was carried.
3. Joe made a motion to approve the minutes from January. Steve seconded,
and the motion was carried.
4. Update from the Principal
a. Kelly read Laura Rowe’s enrollment report. She stated that 20
families attended open house at the Thiensville campus. 10 of those
families have registered already for next year. We have 5 new
students enrolled this semester. Laura anticipates the largest 3K class
ever for next year with 18 students. There will not be 5K half day next
year due to a lack of enrollment. There are 31 current outstanding
families that haven’t turned in their paperwork for next year. This
puts us in a good position for next school year. Steve made a motion
to start a new marketing program with an incentive of up to $500
with the specifics to be determined by Laura. Joe seconded, and the
motion was carried.
b. Kelly is recommending the elimination of the WKCE test. It is
mandatory for all public schools but is not required (and is not used)
by other Catholic schools. It is costly and simply allows us to compare
our students to the public school students. The Iowa test is
mandatory for grades 3, 5, and 7 by the Archdiocese. The MAP test is
not mandatory but unlike WKCE and Iowa Basics, it is given to grades
1-8 and the resulting data is provided instantly. The MAP testing
identifies which skills each individual student needs, which then
allows the teachers to create individual study programs based on each
child’s needs. A motion was made by Mary Ellen to eliminate the
WKCE testing. Steve seconded, and the motion was carried. Mary
Ellen also discussed the ERB test, which is used by University School
and Brookfield Academy. One potential benefit of the ERB test is that
the results are delivered with a summer program customized for each
student’s abilities. The MAP test has a similar component, MAP
Compass, that Kelly will research to potentially add on for next year.
She will bring her report on that data to the School Board in March.
5. Budget:
a. No change since last meeting.
6. Old Business
a. March 15th is the deadline for submitting staffing changes. Letters of
intent went out in December and all who have replied to date said
they would be returning next year. Contracts for next year will go out
in May.
b. A school climate survey will be created to go out to all families in May.
It will have grade specific questions for parents to answer.
c. The next step in building security enhancements is to have the fire
department evaluate which of the proposed changes meet fire code. A
top priority is to change the main entrance to the Thiensville school.
Kelly is also looking into an effective way to inform parents via the
website or phone in case of lockdown or other emergency.
7. Joe adjourned the meeting at 8:39 P.M.