Attendees: Barbara Ryan, Mark Phillips, Kathy Gullo, James Serafin, Elaine Ruszczyk, Dave Muench, John Fitzgerald, Otto Wieand, Janet Shanahan, Mike Pepe, Judy Eckam, Glenn Kolpack, Sharon Winkler Excused: Mike Sobczak

The meeting began at 7PM with a prayer by John Fitzgerald.

Mark Phillips welcomed our newest member to the board Elaine Ruszczyk.

Minutes of the September 1999 meeting were read. Minutes were accepted by the board with one exception. Glenn and Dave seconded the motion to accept the minutes.

Development: Kathy Gullo stated that articles are being submitted to local newspapers to keep Annunciation School visible to the community. The Annunciation sponsored Soccer Tournament was again a success this year. The proceeds from the Soccer Tournament pay for the Sports Program at Annunciation.

It was suggested that all our articles include a reference to our school Internet Web-site and a simple marketing message that lets readers know we are welcoming new students and have additional capacity.

Tuition: Dave Muench handed out a list of the goals the Tuition Committee has for this year. Dave spoke about the need for guidelines to be established for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Discussion ensued about the sensitivity that parents have about applying for tuition assistance. Many parents feel uncomfortable about this process and the chance for their private financial information to be discussed and evaluated. It was reiterated that a "committee" of people does not review the information. Only only two people (for checks and balances) review this information. No names have ever been mentioned in school board meetings with regard to family tuition issues. All that are involved in tuition issues have reiterated their respect for confidentiality. It was also discussed that some families may not be sending their children to Annunciation because they may not be aware that assistance is available or that they object to the process of having to share their financial situation. It was recommended that all tuition policies take into consideration this sensitivity and that obstacles to raising enrollment be removed.

Janet Shanahan a new parishioner and board member volunteered to serve on the Tuition Committee.

The board agreed to move the Family Credit Program and administration of it to the Tuition Committee.

Computer: Help is needed to keep the computer technology program moving forward. In discussion it was determined that volunteers do not have to be "computer professionals" but if they have an area of expertise it could probably be used. The Computer Committee's goals include reassessment of hardware, Internet Service, software, training needs, short and long range objectives, and Y2K issues.

The school Internet Address is http://home.adelphia.net/~annunciation The site in its current state shows the possibilities and advantages it could provide both as a marketing tool as well as a school communications tool. Any one who visits Email comments and suggestions.

Budget: The budget process has been computerized and we are now able to use last years budget for predictions. The new system allows more account detail. Goals that were outlined by Dave Muench and Mike Sobczak were to Give Barb Ryan the 1999/2000 salary budget to assist her in producing next years salary budget, work with parish bookkeeper to define each line item on the school's chart of accounts, receive a budget from all fund raising activities with detail, presentation of the school budget at the 2/16/2000 Home School Guild Meeting. Budget process to be completed for approval from Father Emil by 2/29/2000. Another goal was to review the Family Credit Program through 2/28/2000 by 3/31/2000.

The board again was asked to reduce the parish subsidy by 10% bringing it to approx. 44%.

Policy and Planning: Some school related policies had been either created or modified since last year. They were not submitted to this committee for review. Mark Phillips suggested that a charter be written for the Policy and Planning Committee that would address this.

It was suggested that Policy and Planning review the Fundraising activities that the school runs. The board members then discussed some of these issues. Some felt that the Mission Statement for the school should be developed first. Then the various activities are tested against this mission statement to see if they support our Christian Mission or not.

Education: John Fitzgerald submitted the minutes of the Education Committee of September 22, 1999. The committee has two major goals for 1999-2000. One is to assist Principal Ryan and the faculty whenever possible in implementing Diocese of Buffalo policies for student promotion and retention. The second was to assess and inform the board of student performance on standardized tests, including achievement tests and proficiency tests for advanced placement. Further goals will be determined when the full committee is established.

Annunciation scored 9th in recent testing. If we knew why we were 9th we could learn how to do better.

Mission Statement: The Mission Statement Committee has a goal of developing an Annunciation School Mission and Vision Statement this year. The Mission Statement would be a very brief one-line statement that speaks to our daily behavior in achieving our Vision Statement.

Dates were set for the years board meetings. They are as follows: Tues 11/9/99 (Selbert Hall), Tues 12/7/99, Tues 1/4/00, Tues 2/1/00, Tues 3/7/99 (Selbert Hall), Tues 4/4/00, Tues 5/2/00, Tues 6/6/00 and the annual meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tues 8/1/00.

Judy Eckam and Sharon Winkler will serve on the Development Committee; Mike Pepe, Judy Eckam and Elaine Ruszczyk will serve on the Education Committee

As of January 1st all school events will have a certified CPR person on-site.

New Business: Barb Ryan told the board that a new faculty handbook was created. This handbook is part of the teacher contract. All teachers by their signing the contract have agreed to abide by this handbook.

Barbara also has been attending together with Father Emil Vicariate meetings. A sharing of concerns, goals and ideas in support of Catholic Education has been an important part of the last two meetings. One the goals she told us of was "Keeping Catholic Schools Viable Places of Learning and Spiritual Enrichment".

The board was asked if they would allow a different faculty representative to attend the board meetings each month. The board agreed that listening to teachers would be in the school's best interests.

The meeting was adjourned after a prayer by John Fitzgerald.

James A. Serafin

Secretary