BOM2 Minutes
Attendance:
Michael Doherty, Ezarah Doherty, Damian Ward, Sean Beattie, Kerry McLaughlin
and Martin McLaughlin
Apologies: Fr.
Haan, Ann McFeely
Chairperson opened meeting with ‘Governors Prayer’.
Minutes of Previous Meeting were read and agreed.
Principals
Report:
Ø Looking
at our school 2016 – A quality framework for primary schools
Principal
outlined the importance of manual for measuring boards effectiveness. Different
sections of manual and identified
priority sections to the BOM in areas of Leadership, Management, Teaching and
Learning.
Decision made:
Board agreed to prioritise and review their effectiveness in one priority area
per meeting.
Ø Retrospective
Vetting – Circular 72/17 (all staff)
Principal
inform board that all staff have been vetted or have an application put forward
to be vetted by December 31st deadline.
Ø Leadership
and Management – Circular 63/17 (revision of posts)
Principal
informed board of details in circular – particularly the revision of posts.
Decision made:
Principal and staff are reviewing posts and will have updated contracts to
Februarys BOM meeting for ratification.
Ø Parent
Teacher Meeting Feedback
Principal
gathered provided feedback from Parent Teacher Meetings. Feedback was generally
positive. One recommendation was to circulate lunch order forms termly. This
procedure was agreed at staff meeting. Overall feedback was positive. There was
99% attendance.
Ø SNA
Review Notification
Principal
informed the board that the NCSE will review SNA allocations this year. The
school is yet to receive a date for inspection.
Ø Parents
Association Fundraising (amount raised
and funds allocation)
Principal
informed board that a committee has now been formed and the first fundraising
event has taken place. ‘A Night at the Races’ raised €3782. Funds were used to
purchase technology for staff as ratified by BOM.
Additional
funds made available recently & expenditure of:
Parents
Committee met with principal to inform of an additional €1000 from local
politician Bernard McGuinness. Parents Committee must have funds spent by
Christmas. After discussion with principal it was decided to allocate funds towards
creating an outdoor classroom.
Ø 35
year anniversary – article in Inishowen Independent
Ø Upcoming
events: Christmas Craft Fair (December 7th), Christmas Mass
(December 15th), Santa visit and school closure (December 22nd
@12:30.) BOM praised staff for Christmas atmosphere.
Treasurers
Report:
o
Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) send directives &
guidance re: school accounts:
Treasurer
informed BOM that we are following all directives from Unit and are up to date.
o
School Accounts – November/December.
Treasurer
outlined amount spent and grants coming in for 2 month period with an overall predicted
balance of approximately €5,209.
o
Minor Works Grant:
Treasurer
informed BOM that we have received notification we will receive Grant payment.
Summer
Works Grant:
No
application has been sought by Department of Education for the Academic year so
far.
o
General running costs 15/16.
Treasurer
informed that general running costs are approx. €49,141 for 15/16.
General
running costs for 16/17 are similar - €49,947.
o
Payslips – moving forward paid by EFT.
Treasurer
informed board the system is running well and ancillary staff are happy with
arrangement.
o
Secretary additional hour:
Treasurer
applied to the board that after discussion with principal, school secretary to
be paid 1hour extra per week (20 minutes a day extra) This would cost approx.
€370 more per year from ancillary grant. BOM discussed issue and agreed with
this decision.
Safety
Officers Report:
v Audit
Checklist – Kilkenny Education Centre
H&S
officer informed BOM that we are complying with the checklists within auditing
folder.
Allianz
provide a fee audit of school if necessary: should we have a concern about our
insurance Allianz can come to school and evaluate issues.
v Pedestrian
entrance and exits
H&S
officer informed BOM of developments in changing gates at front of school. The
difference in ground level at both sides of wall was identified by chairperson.
Decision made:
BOM agreed that gates would remain in similar place however change direction
they are facing. Parents Rep raised issued of tight entrance to school for
heavy vehicles.
Decision made:
H&S officer agreed to speak to caretaker about widening gates
v Staff
entrance / exit
H&S
officer informed BOM of new staff entrance and new parking situation. This
allows bus to park in old staff parking area and prevents children running on
to road.
Decision
made: BOM praised work involved – particularly caretaker Kevin’s work
completing job quickly and budgeting.
·
Planning and Policy Development &
Revision:
SEN
Policy Update: Principal informed BOM of new SEN policy
to meet curricular guidelines. Principal praised the teamwork of teachers and
SET when creating the document. Principal drew the BOM attention to its
responsibility identified in the Policy. Policy was agreed and ratified by BOM.
Dignity
at Work Policy: Principal informed BOM of policy.
Principal informed BOM that policy was shared amongst staff at staff meeting. A
period to approach principal if anyone had any additional suggestions had
passed. Board agreed and ratified policy.
DEIS
Plan Update: Principal presented DEIS plan to BOM and
identified key areas according to DEIS Framework. Principal praised staff for
teamwork and collaboration when building and creating DEIS plan. Each teacher
was responsible for gathering information in each area. The staff then
collaborated to create whole plan.
Decision
made: BOM praised staff efforts to create plan.
·
Anti – Bullying Report: No issues to
report.
Before close of meeting
chairperson suggested conducting a survey with parents. Purpose of survey and
questions involved were discussed. BOM agreed add item to next Agenda and
revisit issue at next BOM meeting.
·
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 6th