MINUTES OF MEETING OF ST. THOMAS SCHOOL

DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR OCTOBER 24, 2007

 

 

          A meeting of the St. Thomas School Development Council was called to order at the St. Thomas School Library/Media Center at 6:34 P.M. on Wednesday, October 24, 2007.  The following members were present:   Claire Auger, Christine Beaudoin, Teresa Breault, Brian Coffta, Joanne Cusack, Donna Jacques, Jackie Nolette, Sue Ouellette, Norman Provost, ex officio and Edward J. Titcomb.  Debbie Legere was excused.

 

          Joanne Cusack called the meeting to order and offered a prayer.

 

          The Secretary’s Report was then presented.  Minutes for the Meeting of September 26, 2007 were reviewed.  Two corrections were necessary.  First, Debbie Legere was present and paragraph 1 was modified to show this.  Second, the fourth full paragraph on page 3 was corrected to show Joanne Cusack provided the report on the Milk and Cookies Club.  It was then moved and seconded to accept the Minutes, as corrected. 

 

Brian Coffta then provided the Treasurer’s Report.  He noted that in July of 2007 the checking account balance was $9,676.62.  Since that time, the Development Council has spent $6,218.43 and has taken in $378.00.  The current balance in the Council’s checking account is $3,836.19.  It was noted the major expense was to fund the part-time Development Director position, which has been filled by Tom Ursia.  There was also an expense for books for the Recruitment Program. 

 

Mr. Provost reported to the Council the portfolio account for St. Thomas as of July 1, 2007 totaled $268,408.79.  For the period ending September 30, 2007, the portfolio account totaled $275,497.35.  This reflects a dividend of $2,320.12 and a positive market value change of $4,768.44.  Mr. Provost noted the portfolio balance back on April 1, 2007 was $276,944.97.  On June 1, 2007 $25,000.00 was withdrawn from the account to meet a budget shortfall.  Based on declared dividends and positive changes in market value, the account is now within approximately $1,500.00 of its value in April, notwithstanding the $25,000.00 withdrawal.  In short, the portfolio account has benefited from a very positive investment market during the second and third quarters of 2007. 

 

Brian Coffta reported on plans for the Family Fun Nite.  The movie Ratatouille will be shown on Friday evening, November 9.  The event will begin at 6:30 P.M.  Water and popcorn will be available.  There will also be baked goods for sale.  Volunteers from the PTO will be asked to bring items for sale.  Previously, the Development Council had voted to underwrite the modest licensing fee required of $75.00.  Brian, in his Report to the Development Council, has stated that he has paid this bill and does not want any reimbursement.  Although he did so very quietly, the Development Council thanked him for his generosity.  It should be stressed, this is a fun night for all of the Parishes in the cluster.  It is hoped the event will be very well attended by families and children of all ages.  Poland Springs is donating the water.  Debbie Legere will secure the use of the Sanford/Springvale Lions Club popcorn machine.  The Council acknowledged the Lions Club’s generosity. 

 

Jackie Nolette volunteered to assist with raffle ticket sales which will be conducted during the Family Fun Nite.

 

Donna Jacques reported on the upcoming visit from the Accreditation Team with NEASC.  There are 7 members of the Visiting Committee.  They will arrive Sunday evening and meet with Father Nadeau, Development Council Officers, PTO Officers and Members of the School Board.  Following this meeting, there will be a banquet held at the Parish Hall to welcome the Visiting Committee.  Development Council Officers, PTO Officers, the School Board, Father Nadeau, Norman Provost, all will attend  as well as faculty and staff.  Following the banquet, the Visiting Committee will be brought back to their accommodations at the Village by the Sea in Wells.  This will also be their base of operations as they review their findings.  They will be at the St. Thomas School on both Monday and Tuesday observing.  Monday afternoon, October 29, has been set up for interviews with alumni/faculty and staff.  On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 30, there will be interviews conducted of some of the students’ parents.  A parent has volunteered to pick up the Visiting Committee each morning and Donna Jacques will be providing transportation for them back to their accommodations each evening.  They will enjoy dinner at Mike’s Clam Shack in Wells on Monday and the Steakhouse in Wells on Tuesday.

 

Donna Jacques and others who have worked on this Committee for approximately the past 18 months, are excited about the upcoming visit and they conveyed that excitement to other Development Council Members.  Donna asked that Development Council Members be available on the morning of Saturday, October 27, for the banquet set up.  A special feature of the banquet will be a 150 picture CD which will be shown on a continuous basis at the banquet.

 

Mr. Provost reported that faculty and staff are excited now that the new curriculum handbook is ready. 

 

Mr. Provost advised the Council that a letter will be sent out to parents asking for e-mail addresses so that notices can be sent this way. 

 

Claire Auger reported that in discussions with various parents and with Carol Forbess, a junior high guidance counselor, the transition for St. Thomas students attending the junior high school has been very smooth.  The students come well prepared; there is a strong work ethic; and family support stands out, particularly with high expectations for academic achievement.

 

Joanne Cusack reported that raffle ticket sales will now begin in earnest.  There was a discussion among several Council Members concerning the contact of “snowbirds”, that is, people who would be interested in buying a raffle ticket, but travel and spend the winter months in places such as Florida.  There will be an insert in the Bulletin distributed at various Masses.  Claire Auger and Jackie Nolette will review names on the alumni list in order to compile a list of “snowbirds”.  Raffle tickets will be available for sale at the various Masses now that the Parish Christmas Fair has taken place.  Dick Bergeron, a long time supporter of St. Thomas School and a former Member of the Development Council plans to sell tickets at the various Masses at the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred. 

 

Joanne Cusack reported on the Recruitment Program.  Cards have been written by 5^th and 6^th grade students.  These cards have been given to parent volunteers to send out.  The Council also reviewed a letter which has been prepared by the School to be sent out with the cards and books.

 

Christine Beaudoin reported on the Quarterly Newsletter.  The next edition will be completed by Thursday, October 25, 2007.  An interview with Monsignor Rene Matthew (a St. Thomas alum), will be featured.  She also reported that a parent, Kim Small, has offered to help work with Christine in producing the Quarterly Newsletter.

 

Christine also reported on the plans for a yearbook.  63 presently have been reserved/pre-ordered.  The publishing company provided a quote to Christine for 80 yearbooks.  If this amount is ordered, the cost would be $25.00 for a soft-cover version and $45.00 for a hardcover.  It was pointed out that there is no playbill for Parents Night and, therefore, business ads will be solicited to underwrite some of the cost. 

 

Donna Jacques reported the website is now up and running quite smoothly.  She cited her husband, Mike’s, involvement with this and the countless hours he has put into the website.  This is in addition to all of the work which Debbie Legere and her husband have put into the website.  Many of the Council Members have visited the website and confirmed how good it is. 

 

Several Members of the Council continue to express amazement and gratitude to Donna Jacques for all of the work that she has put into the Self Study in preparation for the NEASC Visiting Committee visit; her husband’s work on the website, in addition to fulltime teaching duties here at St. Thomas.

 

Joanne Cusack reported the first meeting of the Milk and Cookies Club was held on Friday, October 19.  12 children attended.  The next Milk and Cookies Club events are scheduled for Friday, November 2, and Friday, November 16.

 

Under other business, Mr. Provost noted the School Board has asked that Tom Ursia, the new part-time Development Director, attend the Board’s next meeting in order to provide the Board with a progress report.  Brian Coffta reported that his wife, Darcy Coffta, who serves as Secretary of the School Board, prepared a successful grant application to the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation.  The grant is for $2,300.00 and is for resource books.  The Development Council was very pleased with this news.

 

The next Development Council meeting will be Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at 6:30 P.M.  Council Members were reminded this is the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

 

          There being no further business to come before the Council, it was moved and seconded to adjourn at 8:04 P.M.

 

                                                                   Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                                            

                                                                   Edward J. Titcomb, Secretary