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Finance Council Minutes of March 14, 2006
Members Present: Tom Halloran, Fr. Dave, Bob Pearl, Renee Estremera, Marty K. Zanotti, Marty P. Zanotti, Len Robare, Al Barbanera and Doug Hill
Excused: Joe Dubovec
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm with prayer by Tom Halloran.
School ModificationsCost estimates for the major modifications to move the Daycare to the lower level of the school were reviewed. Since the last meeting it has been determined that it is more cost effective to install new air conditioning units to cool the lower hallway than to try to use the unit now in the computer lab. The classrooms will have wall mounted a/c units with individual controls. Each room will be partially carpeted with the remaining area tiled to allow for eating in each room. The necessary connections are available for the additional water requirements on both floors. Lighting on the lower level will be replaced with more efficient units. The renovations are planned to begin immediately after the last day of school and should require about two months. The major need will be for volunteers to relocate the furniture and equipment in the classrooms and the Daycare to storage areas before the renovations begin. In addition to parish volunteers, it was suggested the we contact the Catholic high schools for potential help from students needing service hours as part of their programs. Since most of the school equipment is new the surplus will be stored for future use. Some of the daycare equipment will need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. We will be looking for volunteer artists to help decorate the lower level. The cost estimate for the entire project is about $125,000.
Remodeling Fund Campaign At the Town Meeting in January, the need for a remodeling fund raising campaign was presented. This campaign will begin after Easter with a two-part program. Advanced gifts will be solicited and then a parish-wide campaign will follow in May. The Investing in our Future envelope could be used for this campaign.
Teacher SalaryThe teachers have not received a raise in two years and are currently working under a 2% reduction. Several alternatives were reviewed and a new increased pay schedule was developed. An incentive program was added to reward the teachers with class sizes greater than 30 students.
Financial Report to the Parish We need to advise the parish more frequently of our financial status Previously quarterly reports were published but they were suspended with the loss of our bookkeeper. In addition the parish office administration and accounting system are being replaced with new software. In the interim we will begin weekly reports on the collection and Bingo income as well as the number of envelopes used. Monthly or quarterly reports will be published after the new software has been installed and tested.
Regional Roundtable Comparison The Regional Roundtable consists of Finance Council Chairs and Business Managers of various parishes. It meets three times a year to discuss common financial problems and solutions to them. Copies of a six-parish comparison of income and expenses was distributed and reviewed. It shows the SJB is not alone with high subsidies for grade schools. Our teacher salaries were among the lowest in the study, which included 3 east suburban school and three west suburban schools.
Cleaning Services Contract Our facility needs a major cleaning and the task is larger than our maintenance staff can accomplish. The maintenance staff sends much of its time in set-up, teardown and cleaning up after parish activities. Add to that the normal maintenance required to keep the buildings and grounds presentable; there is little time for a major cleaning effort. Several companies have approached the parish with their services. Additional names will be obtained and requests for proposals will be solicited from each company. A sample cleaning may be required as part of the solicitation.
Festival Planning Early stages of the planning are underway. A Rides contract has been signed, two entertainment groups (Shout and Bruno Brothers) are under contract. The Italian Club will be a co-sponsor again this year. The Athletic Association has been contacted to organize the Volleyball Tournament and to look into a softball tournament. A larger banner will be placed across Pearl Rd. The raffle grand prize will be a three-year lease of an automobile similar to an Impala or a Trailblazer with a cash option toward the purchase of another vehicle. The cars will be on display for two months prior to the raffle. Tickets will be sent out to the parish in May. We will need more volunteers this year due to the added day and to better staff the casino. To this end there will be a meeting of all booth captains from last year and all casino volunteers (experienced or new) on Tuesday, April 4th at 7:00 pm.
St. Charles Credit Union Proposal The credit union has several proposals to make regarding a tuition loan program and managing our various electronic funds transfer programs. This will be scheduled for April.
Account Audits With the change of the principal, the diocese requires an audit of all school financial accounts. Members of the council will perform this review.
In a related matter, we need to review the need for the various checking accounts that have been establish over the years. This review will be conducted with sponsor for the various accounts.
Next Finance Council meeting: Tuesday, April 11th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bell Tower.
The meeting closed at 9:00 pm with prayer by Fr. Dave.
Tom Halloran Chair
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