St. Theresa School - a Catholic Elementary and Middle School of Oakland, CA for grades K - 8

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This School Board shall have as its primary concern the ministry of Catholic school education: the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and social development of the students. The School Board, operating under the guidance of the Department of Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools, and in conformity with the policies of the Diocese of Oakland and consistent with the policies and plans of the Diocesan School Board, shall concern itself with policy matters pertaining to the general excellence of Catholic education at St. Theresa School.

Working in close collaboration with its administrative officer, the Principal, and hearing its many publics, this School Board shall provide advice and counsel with regard to the formulation of policies that will enable the school to reach its agreed upon goals. These goals will be related to, but not limited to, the overall parish goals established by the parish council.

The St. Theresa School Board is established to assist the principal and ultimately the pastor by providing advice and counsel particularly in the following areas:

  • Strategic planning
    1. To assist in formulating strategic goals for the long-term direction of the school.
    2. To assist in formulating the school mission statement
  • Policy formulation
    1. To provide advice and counsel with regard to policies in areas determined by the pastor and principal. Evaluation of policies, plans, mission effectiveness and Board self-evaluation.
  • Institutional Advancement/Development
    1. To provide advice and counsel with regard to the establishment and maintenance of comprehensive programs of institutional advancement to enhance the image, enrollment and financial viability of the school.
  • Financial Planning and Financial Management
    1. To provide advice and counsel with regard to long-range financial planning, annual budget development, budget monitoring and financial reporting.
  • Communications
    1. To provide advice and counsel with regard to communicating school Policies and activities to the various school constituencies. The School Board does not have responsibility for determining the amount of parish funds in support of the school and has no responsibility with regard to school staff/personnel or students.
The St. Theresa School Board is composed of individuals approved by the pastor and appointed by the principal for three year terms. The Principal, Pastor and Parent Club President serve as ex-officio members.

The School Board does not have responsibility for determining the amount of parish funds in support of the school and has no responsibility with regard to school staff/personnel or students.

Questions or concerns may also be sent to the Board via the Parent Communication Committee mailbox by the Red Counter, or via the Feedback Page.

School Board Members, 2009-2010

Back Row, L to R: Rosanne Piccinini, Brook Turner, Kevin Kilty, Scott Smith, Rich Anderson Front Row, L to R: Cathy Dunn, Debra Yau, Michelle Flynn, Jennifer Walwark, Steve Brown, Fr. Patrick Goodwin

Fr. Patrick Goodwinppsttheresa@comcast.net
Judy KoneffKlattj_koneffklatt@sttheresaschool.org
Rich Andersonrpanderson2425@hotmail.com
Steve Brownbrownpla@aol.com
Cathy Dunnmctdunn@sbcglobal.net
Michelle Flynnmichelleflynn@sbcglobal.net
Kevin Kilty*kevin@pvigroup.com
Roseanne Piccinini**piccifam7@sbcglobal.net
Scott Smithscott.smith4@usbank.com
Brook Turnerbattime@sbcglobal.net
Jennifer Walwark*j_walwark@yahoo.com
Debra Yaudlydesign@sbcglobal.net

School Board By-Laws

These Bylaws, adopted by the School Board on December 12, 2005, are modeled from the Diocese of Oakland Model School Board Bylaws. Click here if you would like to download a printable .pdf of the Bylaws.

BOARD GOALS AND PROJECTS FOR 2009-10:

  1. Development Leadership and Support:
    The three main areas here are: Database, Endowment and Communication. We will need our committees to work directly with Karen Raven, and it may be a good idea to have Karen at some of our board meetings this year. Karen is working in a part-time paid position at the school this year and Judy has told her to work on creating an alumni base, doing some fundraising (unclear at this point as to what this will look like) and creating a spring mailing to the parish community. At our meeting with Father Goodwin, he told us he'd like to get the new building paid off before soliciting the parish for money.
  2. Finance/Enrollment:
    We will need to take a look at enrollment, budget, and tuition increases over the next few years, especially in light of the drop in Kindergarten enrollment and overall projected enrollment this year.
  3. Facilities and Emergency Plan/Drill:
    Judy wants to make sure we have a full scale emergency drill this year and she has asked for the board's support. She also wants to update the facilities plan.
  4. Tuition Assistance:
    Need to review the current policy and develop a matrix/rubric for tuition assistance, address a possible tuition assistance collection, work with pastor and principal to ensure goals align. Note: Margie Penaranda, former school board member, has agreed to continue processing applications. Father Goodwin has agreed to one tuition assistance collection this year at mass. We have not had a collection for two years because of the capital campaign.
  5. Kindergarten Schedule:
    The board has been asked to form a committee to look at the current St. Theresa Kindergarten program, the possibility of a full-day or extended day/early dismissal for Kindergarten, whole class vs. half class, and other possible options. The project should include gathering data from other Catholic schools and looking at trends and budget implications for this issue. There has been discussion about changing our Kindergarten program to a full day.

SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEES:

  • DEVELOPMENT
    Work on developing a database and formalizing endowment efforts. Research successful endowment and database efforts at similar schools. Coordinate with Communications committee on these efforts. Plan a long-range more formal endowment/development effort. Endowment: research history and other schools' efforts to do this. Work with and support Karen Raven in her role as Development Director.
    Members: Kevin Kilty, Scott Smith, Cathy Dunn, Jennifer Walwark
  • COMMUNICATION
    Communicate with school community on school board goals and projects. Promote positive P.R. for the school. Update website and work with Parent Club and Parish website committee on this task. Publish 8th grade high school placement and acceptance results, highlight improvement in test scores K-8, send relevant P.R. items to The Montclarion, Catholic Voice, other publications as appropriate. Work with Karen Raven on a spring mailing to parishioners and school community members.
    Members: Jennifer Walwark, Steve Brown
  • FINANCE
    Assist principal by projecting revenue and expenses; make recommendation to school board for approval re tuition changes; review and monitor finances during the school year. Present budget to parents at spring parent club meeting. Enrollment: Develop several budget scenarios/ pro formas anticipating future enrollment and economic changes.
    Members: Scott Smith, Kevin Kilty, Brook Turner
  • FACILITIES
    Work with Principal and Pastor on school site plan, repairs, etc. Coordinate school wide emergency plan and drill with the assistance of other board members and school staff. Fix/ repair the problems associated with the emergency supply bin.
    Members: Rich Anderson, Steve Brown, Brook Turner
  • TUITION ASSISTANCE
    Need to review and update TA policy and formulate rubric for tuition assistance, address a possible tuition assistance collection, work with pastor and principal to ensure goals align.
    Members: Rosanne Piccinini, Debra Yau
  • KINDERGARTEN
    Look at current St. Theresa Kindergarden program, the possibility of a full-day or extended day/early dismissal for Kindergarten, whole class vs. half class, and other possible options. Project to include gathering data from other Catholic schools and looking at trends and budget implications.
    Members: Rosanne, Piccinini, Debra Yau, Cathy Dunn