January 3, 2005

I would like to thank the School Board Members for their efforts so far this year in meeting
the goals established at the beginning of this school year. The following activities have been
in progress since our last report.

Communication to the School and Parish Community

• Several reports and documents are now available on the St. John Web
  Site (School Section) to communicate activities of the School Board.
  These include reports to the Pastoral Council; Committee Lists,
  Leadership & Goals; and Milestone Events and Task Status. We would
  like to thank Frank Tontala for his assistance in getting these documents
  posted.
  

• The Development and Institutional Advancement Committee sent
  Christmas Cards this year to approximately 100 alumni and friends of St.
  John School. A newsletter is planned for the Spring. This
  communication is the start of an ongoing communication strategy to
  keep the wider alumnae community apprised of St. John School
  Activities.
  

School Board Membership; Diversity; and Recruiting

The Membership Committee completed a survey of School Board Member Skills and
Demographics during the fall of 2004. (Results are shown on the following page. )
The purpose of this member survey was to:

• Determine the strengths, weaknesses and demographics of the current
  Board Members
  

• Identify gaps in specific skills
  

• Survey demographics
  

• Use these results to recruit from the School and Parish Community to
  assist on Board Committees for 2004-2005
  

• Develop this pool of new Committee Members for potential service on
  the Board in the future
  

Since we are implementing the new Archdiocesan policies for School Boards this year,
this survey is critical to managing the transition to new membership requirements. The
following topics are under discussion:

• How do these demographics represent the larger demographics of the
  Parish?
  

• How do we reach out to Parish Members who would like to serve on the
  School Board? We would like to recruit the talents, skills and demographics
  we are missing to serve on committees in the Spring and to create a pool of
  available people that could ultimately serve on the School Board.
  

• In order to comply with the new Archdiocesan School Board Policies -
  Areas of current need include the Weak or Missing Skill and
  Demographic Areas identified and Parishioners that are not parents.
  

St. John School Board Membership Survey 2004 – 2005
Skills and Demographics
Areas of Expertise (9 of 12 Voting Members Reporting)

Strong Areas of Expertise
• Education
• Long Range / Strategic Planning
• Human Resources / Personnel
• Church Community

Medium Areas of Expertise
• Finance
• Public Relations / Marketing
• Facilities Management
• Legal Matters
• Local Business Community

Weak Areas of Expertise
• Development / Institutional Advancement / Fundraising
• Technology
• Local Government
• Media

Demographics
Gender (12 Members) - Male 33%, Female 66%
Ethnicity (9 Members) – White 100%
Religion (9 Members) – Catholic 100%
Age (9 Members) – Under 30 - 0
30-39 - 2
40-49 - 3
50-59 - 1
Over 59 - 3
Parents (12 Members) – 7 of 12
Alumnae (9 Members) – 1 of 9
Parishioner (9 Members) 9 of 9

School Inspection and Safety Report

In November 2004, an independent inspection and safety review was conducted at
the School. A report has been developed and will be presented to the School Board
in January at which time additional detail will be shared and recommendations
provided to Monsignor Valenzano. Thanks to Terry Jones and Al Wilder for their
assistance.

Highlights of the report include:

•   Safety improvements required in the:

o Library
o Fire Alarm System, Exit Signs, and Lights
o Stair Well Doors
o Kitchen and Cafeteria
o Classroom Doors and Hardware
o Acoustical Ceilings

•   Recommendations provided to complete and improve the current Ventilation System

•   Recommendations related to various other smaller items
  

The costs for all of these improvements has been estimated at $217,000 to $245,000.
These are preliminary estimates only and have not been competitively quoted,
discussed, or prioritized by the School Board.

Operating and Capital Budgets

In February, the School Board will have two meetings to discuss and approve the
Operating and Capital Budgets. Creating a Capital Budget submission is a new
activity this year. We are trying to establish a new process whereby the School Board
identifies Capital Budget Requirements and establishes recommended priorities.
These budgets would be communicated and discussed between the School and
Parish Finance Committees. Capital Budget requirements that cannot be met by the
Parish would then become fundraising goals for The Development and Institutional
Advancement Committee of the School Board. Assistance and guidance in
implementing these new processes is requested from the Parish Finance Committee
and from the Parish Development Committee.

If there are any questions or clarifications on this report, please contact me at 410-840-3001
or Tom.Witmer@MistyMeadowHoldings.com.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Witmer
Chairperson
St. John School Board