Portland St. Patrick Catholic School

St. Patrick School Commission meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

2009-2010 Letter From the Chairman
School Commission Members
School Commission Meeting Minutes
Policy for Addressing the Commission

Two years ago I typed a welcome back letter as chairperson of the school commission.  I mentioned the great senior class that was set to lead our school during the 2007-08 school year.  I wrote about how much we had heard about this group as they worked their way through middle and high school at St. Patrick. 

And for sure, they did not disappoint.  While sitting in on a student council meeting that year, I was very impressed with their leadership and enthusiasm.  I remember thinking and writing that I hoped the classes coming behind them would follow that example.

I also remember at that meeting there were some sophomores who exhibited those same qualities.  This group is now the senior class that leads our school.  While the names have changed, the quality, class and integrity have remained the same.  Our class of 2010 will be just as great.  They will make us proud of our Shamrocks.  I hope the other high school classes as well as the Jr. High are paying attention because their time is coming.  Go to the Student Council page to read the opening letter from Council President Michelle Fox.  We have another outstanding senior group.

This reminds me of a time many years ago when John Vallier was “stepping back” from the Athletic Association.  We all talked about how hard it would be to replace John.  But he said that there is always someone to step in to do the job.  Our current Athletic Association proves that as usual, John was dead on the mark.  Different names, same results. 

In a time where other schools are charging pay to play fees and cutting back programs, our Athletic Association just keeps on working to provide the funds to run and grow the program.  When our old bus is kicked off the road, there is no worry.  The Athletic Association just orders up a new bus.  Good advance planning.  Thank you for that.

Thanks to Kevin Schrauben and the members of the Father Flohe Foundation committee.  They have been working for many years to grow the foundation that was started to provide long term stability for our school system.  Kevin can tell you how this could benefit not only the current crop of students but also students that are many years from graduating as Shamrocks.

There are so many groups that work together to make this school the very special place that it has been for over 100 years.  Sometimes we go through challenges, but those challenges always take us to a better place. 

The school commission is working with the administration to build and secure the school from a financial standpoint.  You’ll hear more about this in the coming weeks and months.  We do expect success.  We would contemplate nothing less.

Our administrative team of Fr. Larry, Deacon Don, Randy Hodge and Mike Johnson are excellent.  But even more important from the viewpoint of a parent and commission member, all four of them stand firmly and openly in support of our entire Catholic school system.  Being excellent is a good thing, but being afraid to stand up negates any talents or skills.  Our administrators are not afraid to stand up.

So the names change, but the results are the same.   It means something more to walk into Church wearing that green cap and gown as a St. Patrick School graduate.

We Pray.  We Learn.  We Achieve.

Ralph Willemin
School Commission Chairperson

 

Position	Term Expires	Name	Phone
Chair	June, 2010	Ralph Willemin	(517) 647-2462
Vice Chair	June, 2011	Ken Cook	(517) 647-2331
Recording Secretary	N/A	Nancy Wohlscheid	N/A
Member	June, 2010	Diane Bissell	(517) 647-4741
Member	June, 2011	Dan Lawless	(517) 647-1709
Member	June, 2012	Mark Davis
Member	June, 2012	Dave Zimmerman	(517) 647-7151
Member	June, 2012	George Rutherford	(517) 647-2071

School Commission terms are three years.  A member can serve a second consecutive three year term at the discretion of the Pastor.  Nominations are sought from the parish in May of each year to select replacements for those whose terms are up and do not wish to be considered for a second term.  . 

    Any parent of a St. Patrick School student, as well as any contributing member of St. Patrick Parish, is welcome to address the School Commission using the follow procedure which was established in October 2007.

    A written request, including the topic, must be submitted no later than eight days prior to the meeting.  The request may be submitted to either the school administrator or the chair of the School Commission to be placed on the agenda.  Every attempt will be made to notify you no later than the Thursday before the meeting if your request can be honored.

   The School Commission will post the agenda items approximately one week prior to a scheduled meeting.  Some additions or deletions may occur before the meeting takes place. 

   The School Commission minutes will be posted within three days following the scheduled meeting date. 
  

This is my 6th year on the school commission.  Mary and I have been married for twelve years.  We have two daughters, Sara and Erin, who are now also married and in the work force.  Our youngest daughter, Tangela is a sophomore at St. Patrick High School.
Mary graduated from PW High School and has been employed at PFCU for 18 years.  I graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1975 and am now self employed as a mortgage broker.  Mary and I also own a home renovation business.
It has been a true honor to serve on this commission.  Our school represents the very best educational opportunity in this area.  I am grateful for those who went ahead of us for providing Tangela with the blessing to be a Shamrock graduate in a couple years.  That distinction will serve her well.
I can be reached anytime at 616 308-3282 or by e mail:  rewillemin@yahoo.com.  I welcome any suggestions or questions.

This is my second year on the School Commission.  I am a lifelong resident of Portland and of St. Patrick’s community.  I graduated from St. Patrick High School.  I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU and a MBA from GVSU.
My wife, Mary is also a graduate of St. Patrick School.  We have three children who all attend St. Patrick.  Logan is in 6th grade, Leah is in 3rd grade and Shane in kindergarten.  The kids are involved in many activities including dance, cheerleading camp, softball, basketball and baseball.
Mary helps administer the school’s website and volunteers on the PTO, among other things.  I enjoy skiing, football, fantasy football and just hanging out in the backyard.
I can be reached by phone at 517 647-2331 or by e mail at kencook@cablespeed.com.

I was born and raised near Saginaw and am now 53 years young.  I have been married to my wife Linda for 30 years.  We moved to Portland in 1993.  We have two children; Andrew and Wendy who both graduated from St. Patrick High School.
I have a B.S. degree in Medical Technology and a MBA from Michigan State University and have worked in health care for 31 years.  Presently I work for Sparrow Health System as the VP/COO of Ionia Memorial Hospital.
I have been a life long member of the Catholic Church.  While at St. Patrick parish, I have served as a finance council member, (chair for three years), school commission member, (chair one year), tri-chair of a capitol campaign, member of a strategic planning task force, choir member, cantor, youth group adult leader, mission trip adult leader, DYMO staff member, adult leader for Steubenville youth retreats, and co- chair of the summer festival.
I have also been a past treasurer of the Portland Chamber of Commerce and Portland little league baseball coach.  I am a current member of the Kiwanis Club of Ionia.
I can be reached at 517 647-2071.

This is my second year on the School Commission.  I have been married to my wife Denise for 24 years.  Denise is a pediatric RN.  She grew up in Lansing with 6 siblings.  I grew up in Portland with 3 siblings.  I attended Coleman country school from kindergarten through grade 3 where two of my four classmates were my cousins.  I attended St. Patrick School from 4th through 8th grade and Portland High School from 9th grade through graduation.
We have three children.  Annie, age 19 graduated from St. Patrick High School and is currently a student at MSU majoring in math with a minor in chemistry.  John, age 18 graduated from Portland High School and is attending Red Rocks College near Denver CO studying to be a forest ranger.  Ben, age 15 is a sophomore at St. Patrick High School.  He participates in football, bowling and track.
Currently I am the president of the St. Patrick Athletic Association.
Please feel free to contact me at 517 647-1709 or by e mail at ddswanless@att.net.

I am new to the St. Patrick School Commission for 2009.  I am the son of Jack and Diane (Schrauben) Zimmerman.  I attended St. Patrick School from first grade through graduation in 1992.  After graduation I attended Lansing Community College for two years before transferring to Central Michigan University where I obtained my Bachelors Degree in business in 1996.  I currently own two local businesses and reside in Portland Township.
I am married to Amy (Simon) Zimmerman who also graduated from St. Patrick School.  We have three daughters.  Avery, age 6 is going into first grade and Carly who is five years old is entering kindergarten.  Both girls attend St. Patrick School.  Eden is our youngest daughter.  She is twenty months old.
I can be reached via cell phone at 517 526-1026 or by e mail:  tssports@sbcglobal.net.  I look forward to serving on the School Commission and welcome any comments or suggestions.