Portland St. Patrick Catholic School

January has been designated as School Board Appreciation Month.  Although St. Patrick School does not officially have a School Board, our School Commission serves as a consultative body for the pastor and the principal on matters concerning St. Patrick School.  The School Commission is a diverse group of individuals who meet each month to discuss issues that are important to St. Patrick School students.

This year and next will be a time of transition for the St. Patrick School Commission due to the recommendation by the Diocese of Grand Rapids for the establishment of a School Board of Directors.  The Board will work closely with the administration and will have Limited Jurisdiction to assist in the governance of the school.  The Board of Directors shall have as its primary concern the ministry of Catholic education via strategic planning, formulation of policies relating to academic, student, and faith community affairs, and evaluation of policies and operations.   The School Commission looks forward to these new responsibilities and to assisting in the development of the new model.      

With the change to a new model the School Commission will become a School Board.  The School Board will see an increase in size from the current seven members to an 11 - 13 member board.  A lot of the work will be completed by board members in the following subcommittees:  

•    Executive Committee

•    Mission Effectiveness Committee

•    Committee on Board Members

•    Planning and Policy Committee

•    Building and Grounds Committee

•    Finance Committee

•    Development Committee (Committee on institutional advancement)

•    Marketing and Communication Committee

•    Technology Committee

The subcommittees will be chaired by one of the School Board members.  The subcommittees will consist of board members and they will seek other individuals to serve on the subcommittees.  These individuals can be parents of students, parishioners, members of the community, and members of neighboring communities.  The goal is to find individuals to serve on the subcommittees who bring a high level of expertise and knowledge in that area.

The current members of the Commission are: Mrs. Jennifer Meredith (2nd Year) serves as the chair of the Commission, Nikole Brown (2nd Year) serves as the vice chair, Mr. Ken Cook (4th year), Ms. Diane Bissell (6th year), and  Jennifer Davlin and Jill Scheurer are new to the St. Patrick School Commission.  Mrs. Nancy Wohlscheid is the recording secretary for the commission.  

The St. Patrick School Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month in room #111 and encourages attendance.  Meetings begin with Mass at 6:00 p.m. and reconvenes after Mass at 6:45 p.m.  More information about the Commission, including meeting minutes, can be found under  the Administration icon on our school website www.portlandstpats.com.

I’d like to thank our fine Commission members for their time, talent, and dedication.  Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and leadership are a vital part of our school’s success.  If anyone has questions, concerns, suggestions or is interested in becoming a member of our School Board or serving on a subcommittee next school year, feel free to contact Chairperson Jennifer Meredith at jen.meredith18@gmail.com.