Reflections to the Futuring Team from the Parish -- Adult Center Work Group

Since our last report, we have met with the outgoing Adult Center Advisory Board and have reviewed the business plan that was created by them this past year. Everyone was in agreement that the existing plan looks good and is the appropriate plan for the Adult Center. What is needed now is support for implementation.

The most immediate need is for the new Advisory Board to be named by Fr. Charlie. The specifications for membership are in the plan. The original goal was for this to be accomplished by July 31^st. We do not see any reason why these appointments and the beginning of implementation of the plan be delayed because of this larger planning process.

We do believe the 5 year parish plan should support the AC plan in concrete ways through creating and supporting an effective Board.

We agree that the AC is an important ministry of the parish and it will need significant support to help it become financially viable. In the meantime, what is the financial and administrative commitment the parish will make to keep the Center open and how will this plan help the parish take pride and ownership in this ministry?

NOTE: 

Parish Grants to the Adult Center in Pastoral Year 2006 (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006) and Pastoral Year 2007 (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007) Source: Parish Biennial Report

      Pastoral Year 2006:      Direct Grant      -- $51,948

                                       Indirect Grant    -- $17,317

                                       TOTAL GRANTS  -- $69,265 

·         Pastoral Year 2007:      Direct Grant      -- $41,344

                                       Indirect Grant    -- $22,530

                                       TOTAL GRANTS  -- $63,874 

PARISH -- ADULT CENTER WORK GROUP MEMBERS:
John Collins, Dan Copeland, Carol Lawless

Reflections for the Futuring Team from the Parish -- Early Learning Center Work Group:

Over the past month the issue of exploring options to access State pre-K dollars was studied and it does not seem to make sense to pursue it for two reasons:

#1. Enrollment is not an issue for the ELC.

#2. Pre-K dollars do not compensate for the full tuition, so the Center could find itself at a financial disadvantage by accepting children who use this as part of their financing.

Given that discovery, there are three important areas we feel the Futuring Team needs to consider in strengthening the relationship with the Parish:

#1. The Center would benefit from greater communication and marketing within the parish at-large to continually attract new parish families. We could consider building into the 5 year plan a Parent Advisory Board that would be mandated to help with marketing that would include creating a plan to explain to new and existing parents why certain programs were chosen at the Center and their benefits. The Board could also address internal issues as they arise.

#2.  The Center would benefit from a strengthened, working relationship with the School to focus on:

·         shared communication strategies,

·         space concerns and creative options;

·         curriculum coordination,

·         shared recruitment practices.

The goal would be that children would naturally progress from the ELC to the School through 8^th grade and parents would feel confident that the parish is offering the very best care and education for their children from infancy to High School.

#3.  The Center has real space issues that affect capacity and remaining competitive in the area that need to be addressed in a Parish Facilities Master Plan.

NOTE: 

Parish Grants to the Early Learning Center in Pastoral Year 2006 (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006) and Pastoral Year 2007 (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007) Source: Parish Biennial Report

·         Pastoral Year 2006:      Direct Grant     -- $9,404

                                       Indirect Grant   -- $11,522

                                       TOTAL GRANTS -- $20,926 

·         Pastoral Year 2007:      Direct Grant     -- $10,000

                                       Indirect Grant   -- $35,881

                                       TOTAL GRANTS  -- $45,881 

PARISH – EARLY LEARNING CENTER WORK GROUP MEMBERS: Liz Copeland, Caroline Walter

Reflections for the Futuring Team from the Parish – School Work Group:

This work group has conducted informal surveys and discussed a variety of possibilities for improving the parish – school relationship.  The four key suggestions they offer for consideration by the Futuring Team are as follows.

1.    Designate full time job responsibilities to a staff member, new or existing, to:

a.       ensure factual communications between the parish and the school;

b.      develop a communications campaign for the school;

c.       develop a marketing plan to fully market the school internally and externally inside and outside of the parish) with a special emphasis placed on internal marketing

d.      oversee implementation of the Catholic Schools Management strategic plan and assist with the maintenance of the plan

2.    Develop a formally written parish wide facility plan to inventory all of the assets within the parish, including all entities (Church, School, Early Learning Center  

      and Adult Center).  This plan will help the parish to be more proactive on all maintenance issues.

3.    Work on development of a parish wide tuition program to help with the long term issues based around keeping tuition affordable for our school families and       maintaining the school’s positive financial position.  This tuition program may be based on parish tithing or a long term formula for each individual family.  Consistency is a key to allow families and the school to plan on a long term basis.

4.    Consider whether the School Board’s consultative role to the Principal ought to be extended to also serve the Pastor.  This dual-capacity or dual-fiduciary role would  provide an additional level of authority to the Board, but more importantly allow the Board to serve as a liaison and mediator between the school and parish, along with all their individual families.

NOTE:  

Parish Grants to the School in Pastoral Year 2006 (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006) and Pastoral Year 2007 (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007) Source: Parish Biennial Report

·         Pastoral Year 2006:     Direct Grant        -- $108,939

                                       Indirect Grant     -- $312,853

                                       TOTAL GRANTS   -- $421,792 

·         Pastoral Year 2007:     Direct Grant        -- $118,061

                                      Indirect Grant      -- $362,972

                                      TOTAL GRANTS    -- $481,033 

 PARISH – SCHOOL WORK GROUP MEMBERS: Paul Bouchard, Terry Bouchard, Judy Froehlich, Brian Pelski & Ann Waite