ABOUT US
The Advisory Board is composed of parents, alumni, and other stakeholders of the school with three primary roles:
Advise school administration on policies that help guide the planning and administration of school, as well as review and advise on the school budget, tuition rates, and other sources of financing
Develop and help implement the school’s strategic plan and activities
Participate in the school’s community, development, student recruitment efforts, and long-range plans
The St. Benedict Preparatory School Advisory Board is a board of “doers” who volunteer their professional experience and personal talents to help the school fulfill its mission in a spirit of cooperation with the pastor and principals.
2024-2025 St Benedict Preparatory Advisory Board
COMMITTEES:
CATHOLIC EDUCATION: Molly Eskew, Committee Chair; Kara Driscoll and Brooke Handrahan, Members
DEVELOPMENT: Michael Marrion, Committee Chair; Ali Weber, Amanda Johnson, and Patrick Hopkins, Members
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION: Michael Gerlach, Committee Chair; Mary Howard, Member
FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY: Sarah Roxworthy, Committee Chair; Adam Thomason, Travis Boewadt, and Nick Asvos, Members
FINANCE: Diana VanDegrift, Committee Chair; Matt Schick, Tim Slomka, Andrew Miller, and Matt Kolarik, Members; Beka Kohmescher, Associate Member
MARKETING: Julie Simpson, Committee Chair; Katy Bushnell, Member; Jared Weyker, Natalie Lambert, and Aroma Blomquist, Associate Members
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Paul Aronson, Committee Chair; Fiona Horenkamp, Anthony Beckneck, and Robert O'Brien, Members; Ally Regnier, Associate Member
ST BENEDICT PREPARATORY SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEMBER TERMS
BOARD COMMITTEES:
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
The committee will work with the full Board and the heads of school to sustain academic excellence and enhance the school’s reputation as a welcoming, Faith-filled community for students, families, and staff.
Will provide opportunities to help foster a greater desire in school parents to practice their Faith as a family. Working with the parish staff and school faculty, this committee will help parents understand the centrality of our Faith in the education of their children at our school and continue this practice at home.
The committee hopes to instill in school families a desire to practice our Faith in the wider community as a priority in their lives, including service to others, working toward social justice, and welcoming all in our pursuits regardless of ethnicity, race, creed, or economic status.
DEVELOPMENT
The Committee is responsible for leading and managing the Annual School Fund, championing this effort with the full Board's participation, and engaging with the broader school community.
In addition, assists the Advancement Office with implementation of the school’s development plan, including alumni relationships, planned giving, and partnerships with members of the North Center community and the city of Chicago.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (New committee of the board beginning 2024 as directed by our new strategic plan)
Ensure a diverse and inclusive lens is used through all work competed by the School and Advisory Board, including fostering a culture that ensures all are welcome, supported, and growing. This committee will ensure goals are outlined and self-evaluation occurs semi-annually.
To seek out community and business relationships to offer administration, teachers, and students a diversity of talent, resources, donations, activities, and viewpoints.
Work with designated School faculty member and School families to improve awareness, knowledge and skills related to equity, diversity and inclusion issues necessary for effective instruction, cultural sensitivity, and modeling of Gospel values.
FINANCE
Provides oversight of the school’s overall financial condition, ensuring that the Administration and the Board have a good understanding of tuition and other inflows as well as key operating expenditures.
Ensures that key financial metrics and standard reporting are in place and monitors them on an on-going basis (e.g., actual results vs. budget, and tuition collection rates). The Finance Committee will ensure that the school budget is developed in a thoughtful, timely manner and that it aligns with the Archdiocese, school’s strategic plan, and operating budgets.
FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
Works closely with the Director of Operations & Finance, Head of Parish School and Pastor to 1) help advise on the implementation of the campus master plan, 2) advise the parish/school leadership on critical short term facilities needs and projects, 3) provide input in how the short term and long term facilities goals and needs affect the school’s strategic plan, 4) communicate ongoing needs to the school and parish finance committees so to inform financial planning, and 5) advise the Board, Pastor, and school leadership regarding projects and needs that should to be communicated to our stakeholders.
This committee can also advise the administration and parish leaders on making cost-effective and strategic decisions on IT infrastructure, network and services that enhance and deepen the educational experience for students at all levels, and provide effective, reliable tools for teachers and administrators.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATONS
Works closely with the Admission and Advancement Office to 1) help raise awareness of the benefits of a SBPS education, 2) ensure desired enrollment numbers, and 3) facilitate effective communication to all stakeholders – school families, parishioners, and community.
The Committee provides input and direction to marketing and communication plans and activities, identifies needs and opportunities, including strategic messaging, branding and visibility, community outreach, parent input and feedback (i.e., surveys), and effective communication tools. The committee also supports program implementation with advice by resourcing expertise, planning, and tactical support with an aim to recruit talent, donors, and other resources from diverse backgrounds.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY
Establishes and maintains a 5-year rolling strategic plan dealing with key issues impacting the school’s short- and long-term viability, as well as facilitate the Board’s adoption and/or changes of the Advisory Board By-laws.
The Committee will also review and present to the Board all new policy proposals, including any recommend policy revisions to the Parent Handbook.
MEMBERSHIP:
Advisory Board membership consists of two options - Board members and Associate Board members. Board members are elected to a 3-year term. Associate members are elected for a one-year term, which is renewable yearly.
The Advisory Board meets in-person on the third Wednesday of the month in the Upper School Library at 7pm. A list of Board meetings will be given at the beginning of the school year and members are expected to attend. Associate members have the option to attend. At times, virtual meetings may be necessary and there may be opportunities to call into meetings when in-person attendance is not possible. Virtual options will be at the sole discretion of the Executive Committee and the administration.
In addition to monthly Board meetings, each Board member shall sit on a committee and attend its monthly committee meetings. These may be in-person or virtual at the discretion of the committee chair.
New members will be expected to attend an Orientation to occur before the start of Board’s first scheduled meeting of the new school year.
No couples may serve as Board members at the same time. Spouses or partners of SBPS faculty members also may not serve as Board members.
BOARD/OFFICER SELECTION:
Each spring a call for nominations is issued to fill openings on the Board and for Associate Members. We look for people who can bring a holistic perspective of the school to Committee and Board proceedings; demonstrate support of the school and administration, and who can contribute leadership and operational expertise to the committees and Board. Associate members make a year-long commitment with automatic renewal if desired. An application is required to be considered for associate membership. Board terms are three years, and because the Board committees are critical to the success of the Board’s objectives, board openings may be filled from Committee membership. An application and interview process is used to select Board members.
The Board has officers, who with the Head of Parish Schools, form the Executive Committee. This team is responsible for the nomination process and for selecting new officers for the upcoming year.
The SBPS Advisory Board accepts applications each Spring for the following school year. Please send any questions to: SBPSAdvisoryBoard@stbenedict.com
ANNUAL SCHOOL FUND 2023
