A TRADITION OF
FAITH, EXCELLENCE, COMMUNITY

School Board

Mission: In conjunction with the Archdiocese of Louisville, the mission of the St. James School Board is to advance quality Catholic education for students by providing leadership, direction, and support to pastors, principals, teachers, staff, and members of the school community. The SJS School Board adopts the school’s mission statement and the periodic review of its operational vitality and Catholic identity.

Role of School Board: St. James Catholic School is required to follow the Archdiocese of Louisville Handbook for Catholic Schools in all matters related to the operation of the schools. Each archdiocesan school shall have a consultative School Board. A Consultative Board is a body that participates in the policy-making process by formulating, adopting, and recommending policies to the individual with the authority to enact said policies. The person with authority should consult the Board before making decisions in designated areas but is not bound by the Board’s advice. Those in authority at St. James Catholic School are the pastor and principal.

Goals:

  • Support effective administration, operation and maintenance of the school.
  • Provide a means of communication.
  • Review and discuss programs in light of the administrative vision for the school.
  • Develop and strengthen the relationship between the school and its supporting parish.
  • Develop and strengthen the financial functioning and viability of the school.
  • Assist the administration in implementing the policies of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Board Committees & Members

STANDING COMMITTEES

(Always a Committee Chair at Board Meetings)

Executive

Father Michael Wimsatt (Pastor)
Sister Mary Grace, O.P. (Principal)
Kevin Blain (Chair)

Facility (Building/Grounds)

Matthew Hobbs (Chair)
Kevin Newman
Michael Menold
Chris Wade

Finance

Gregory Lee (Chair)
Scot Hutcheson
Alaina Ray

Mission Advancement

Heather Paynter (Chair)
Amy Baldwin
Bonnie Noce
Alicia Lanford

Policy & Planning

Emily Graham (Chair)
Susan Carson
Karen Brunkhorst
Sarah Mattingly

Athletics

Darin Coen (Chair)
Carol George
Sarah Bowman
Aaron Kubat

AD-HOC

(Fluid Committees, Do Not Report Monthly)

Technology – Duane Kristensen
Safety/Health – Rachel Taylor, Noel Kubat
Nominating – Father Michael Wimsatt, Sister Mary Grace Watson, O.P., Kevin Blain

Ex-Officio Members

Father Michael Wimsatt (Pastor)
Sister Mary Grace, O.P. (Principal)
Faither Loi Pham (Associate Pastor)
Alex Barnett (Teacher Rep.)
Brittany Hager (PTO President)

Schedule:

School board meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)*

Meeting Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year:
Tuesday, August 22,2023
Tuesday, September 19,2023
Tuesday, November 28,2023
Tuesday, January 16,2024
Tuesday, February 20,2024
Tuesday, April 16,2024
Tuesday, May 21,2024

Board Meeting Agendas/ Minutes : HERE
Board Meeting Reports: HERE

Things to consider:

  • It is understood that the issues raised may not be handled at the meeting. If appropriate to the parameters of the Board’s responsibilities, the issue may be addressed at a future time.
  • Personnel issues and individual family or student needs are not discussed at Board meetings.
  • The Board does not necessarily address all of the issues that may be raised. It may be appropriate for the pastor or principal to respond to the individual question, issue or concern at a later date.
  • Visitors observe the Board while it is in session. They do not engage in the discussion, nor do they actively participate in the meeting until their pre-approved time is on the agenda.
  • Once the visitor is recognized, the visitor has one opportunity to express an opinion on the item they requested to be approved for the agenda.
  • Each individual may speak for a specified amount of time (to be determined on a case-by-case basis).
  • All members listen to the visitors. If necessary, either the Chair or someone designated by the Chair can assist in clarifying the question or topic.
  • The Chair thanks the visitors for their comments and informs them that someone will get back to them at a later date.

All parents, teachers, faculty and staff are welcome to attend the open School Board meetings. If you’d like to be added to the agenda, please email Board Chair Kevin Blain.  Please include a short summary of the topic you would like to discuss and provide your contact information.

Topics Appropriate for School Board

  • New Policy or Existing Policy
  • Curriculum
  • School Programs
  • Suggestions for Improvements
  • Tuition/Finance Inquiries

Topics NOT Appropriate for School Board

  • Individual Personnel Issues
  • Grievances*
  • Individual Family or Student Needs
  • Discipline Issues

* See St. James Catholic Student/Parent Handbook 

School Board Manual