
School Board
Board Meeting
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Parents are welcome to attend the first half-hour of the meeting.
The Old St. Mary’s School Board welcomes you to the 19th year of excellence in faith-filled education. Dictated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, our board is considered a Board of Specified Jurisdiction. It is comprised of 11 members intended to bring professional expertise in the specified areas to enhance educational and spiritual leadership.
The Pastor and Principal invite its members to the board in order to provide for a strong infrastructure for the school in Planning, Development, Finance and Facilities Maintenance, and Marketing, Recruitment and Enrollment Management. An individual is recommended by the Executive Committee and appointed by the Pastor and Principal. Selection is based on a certain skill set and expertise in one of the above mentioned areas of board responsibility.
-
Up to twenty percent (20%) may be non-Catholic
-
Parents of current students (up to 25%)
-
Parishioners
-
Alumni/ae and parents of alumni/ae
-
Leaders within the neighborhood, business, and professional communities
Board Members are appointed to serve on a task team based upon their expertise and desire. The task teams are project-directed groups focused on the school's implementation of its Strategic Plan. Other interested individuals from the parish, school, and/or civic communities are recruited to join the task teams as well, to help accomplish the projects of the task team. Board Members’ commitment is to come prepared to Board meetings and actively participate on one of the Standing Task Teams.
If you have ideas, insights, or any questions related to the School Board or one of the Task Teams, please reach out to a School Board member.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Old St. Mary’s School embarked on a strategic planning process in 2018 and implemented its plan around four pillars: Catholic Identify, Academic Excellence, Governance & Leadership, and Financial Vitality. Four Task Teams were created in the 2019-20 Academic year and parents were invited to join those task teams. Below is additional information about some of the work being done around each of these areas and information on how you can become involved. Further below are additional opportunities for parents to become involved in the broader church community.
OSM School Board Sub-committees:
CATHOLIC IDENTITY- seeking new chair
· Volunteer to be a greeter or usher (and earn volunteer hours) or livestream from home any of the three weekend masses: https://oldstmarys.com/
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE – Co-Chairs: Kimberly Cook and Matt Smith
· Last year, our Academic Excellence team focused on supporting teacher retention. This year, a large initiative is finding ways to support the school’s mission for stronger academic excellence.
· If you have an interest serving on this Task Team, reach out to Matt Smith at msmithictc@gmail.com
GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP- seeking new chairs
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE – Chair: Jen Funches
· If you have an interest in serving on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, please complete this form.
To read our Diversity Statement, please click HERE
FINANCIAL VITALITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
· The Blue Ribbon Annual Fund goes 100% to support two priorities: 1) Support our teachers through activities to reward their personal commitment and professional development; and 2) Support the sustainability and financial vitality of our school, with a focus on school safety and security. Learn more and make a donation HERE
· The co-chairs for the Blue Ribbon Annual Fund, Annual Appeal are Dillon Allie at dillon.m.allie@gmail.com and Shannon Matthews at shanokeefe@gmail.com.
· If you have an interest on serving on this Task Team or on the Development Committee, click here to reach out to Jane Domingo to learn more jhcccslp@sbcglobal.net.
FAMILY AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION: There are also opportunities to get involved through the Family and School Association, FSA. Click HERE to learn about opportunities to get involved with our FSA: https://www.osmschool.com/family-and-school-association
Other ways to get involved in our Old St. Mary’s Community:
SCHOOL FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL
· If you or someone you know has an interest in serving on the Stewardship Sub-Committee of the Parish Finance Council, please reach out to Vanessa Vergara, Chair of the Parish Finance Council, at vbmvergara@gmail.com.
PARISH COUNCIL
· If you or someone you know has an interest in serving on the Parish Council, please contact Dean Molitor, Chair of the Parish Council, at dean.molitor@gmail.com.
For additional background, please click here to review Old St. Mary’s School Strategic Plan
2023-2024 Board of Specified Jurisdiction
Kim Nevels - Chair
Kim Cook - Vice Chair
April Greer - Principal
Sonjia Waxmonksy
Justin Funches
Eileen Dollear
Steve Dollear
Mike Andrews
Nandita Manglavil
Matt Smith - FSA President
Father Brad - Pastor
Maryellen Harrington - Director of Lifelong Faith Formation (Ex-officio)
OSM School Board Meetings 2023-2024
Petermann Parish Center, 2ND FL
Sept 20
Oct (TBD)
Nov 8
Dec 13
Jan 10
Feb 7
Mar 13
Apr 10
May 8
*CLOSED Executive Board Meeting takes place in the last hour.
MEETING NOTES