Pennekamp PTA Meeting Minutes

For  April 19. 2005

 

Call to Order-7:18 p.m.

 

Introductions - Dale Keldrauk

1. Introduced Amy Howorth, keynote speaker, and thanked her for organizing the recent Capital Convoy.
2. Introduced School Board member Bill Cooper and asked Mr. Cooper to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Introduced the 4^th and 5^th grade bands led by Dawn Farmer.

Entertainment - 4th & 5th Grade Bands directed by Dawn Farmer

1. Performed "Snake Charmer", "Hayden Seek" and "Cousin Louie".

Secretary’s Report-Cathey Graves

1. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 15, 2005 AND MARCH 21, 2005 GENERAL MEETINGS by Walt Young, 2^nd by Andrea Fodness. All in favor, motion carries.

Special Presentation-Irma Espinoza, Commercial Capital Bank

1. Presented a check to Pennekamp for $740.35. Explained that Commercial Capital will donate a certain percentage of all funds deposited with the bank to the school. Noted last year donated $27,000 to Manhattan Beach schools.

Guest Speaker-Amy Howorth

1. Thanked Dale Keldrauk, Susan Warshaw and Cindy Ellenberg for participating in Capital Convoy.
2. Explained the three purposes of the trip. Noted the trip was primarily a lobbying effort to enlist the support of legislators and members of the Education Committee on education issues. Second, the trip served as a springboard for local advocacy to thwart the Governor’s propositions. In this regard the District will host a rally at Mira Costa in the near future. Finally, the trip was important to mobilize the Manhattan Beach community to contact the Governor and let him know that education is a priority for the people of California. Noted we are at a crisis point in the State and need to let the Governor know.

Presidents’ Report-Beth Allen/Susan Warshaw

1. Thanked all for attending the meeting.
2. Thanked Dawn Farmer for leading the 4^th and 5^th grade bands.
3. Thanked Nominating Committee and complimented the committee on reaching into the school community to find young energetic parents to assume leadership roles.
4. Thanked Michael and Cheryl Wright for their efforts at the Talent Show.
5. Thanked Beautification Committee and noted Mr. Keldrauk distributed over 100 gold cards to students for contributions on Pride Day.
6. Noted Jog-A-Thon, Family Dragon Day, Staff Appreciation Week, and the MBEF Wine Auction are upcoming.
7. Noted next year is Pennekamp’s 50^th Anniversary and advised Debbie Zoppi and Robin Cleland will be heading a Committee to help celebrate the event.
8. Advised the shade structure is not up but Sharon Kay is progressing in her efforts to get the project moving. Noted architect plans are completed.
9. Explained the Education Foundation has voted to change its structure and has announced the following new officers: Vice President of Operations (Anne McLaughlin), Vice President of Fundraising (Ellen Rosenberg), Vice President of Communications, President (Webb Burns), and Secretary (Brian Currey).
10. Reiterated proposed cuts have been avoided at the elementary classroom level for next year but noted PTA will have to fund more.

Nominating Committee-Cindy Ellenberg

1. Read rules for selecting new officers. Noted officers are elected for a one year term and are elected annually.
2. Read nominations for the 2005-2006 Board.

3. Beth Allen restated the nominations and requested nominations from the floor. Hearing none the nominations were closed.
4. Beth Allen restated the nominations as closed. All in favor, nominations approved.
5. Thanked outgoing Board members and new members for their energy and time. Noted it is a special time to be involved in PTA.

 

Parliamentarian Report - Cindy Ellenberg

1. MOTION THAT KAREN CHAN, TAMMY CHOY, MAE SINKOWITZ, CINDY ELLENBERG AND TAMI BROTHERS AS ALTERNATE BE APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND A SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR 2005-2006 EXECUTIVE BOARD made by Debbie Zoppi, 2^nd by Charmaine Nielsen. All in favor, motion carries.

Principal’s Report-Dale Keldrauk

1. Reiterated that advocacy at the State level is important. Lamented that the education coalition became involved only recently but noted it is having an impact. Noted the Governor is starting to reconsider some positions. Reminded parents and teachers the message to the Governor has to be that education is not a special interest since it affects greater than 50% of the state population.
2. Noted the goals of Capital Convey were to maintain Proposition 98, request more funding for education in general, ask that the threshold for a parcel tax be reduced from 2/3 to 55%, and request higher funding of special education.
3. Advised that the Peck Ave. traffic problem will be addressed next Thursday at City Hall at 6:30. Noted mayor-elect Joyce Fahey is assisting Pennekamp in this process.
4. Congratulated Pennekamp on winning the Cash For Cans contest. Noted the school will get some money and the children will get an ice cream party including a Robot and magician.
5. Noted the Roundhouse Aquarium will provide Pennekamp with science enrichment next week.

School Board Update-Bill Cooper

1. Advised the School Board has drafted a proposed budget which includes $1.7 million in cuts. Noted cuts totaling 1.9 million must be made. Proposed cuts so far do not impact the classroom.
2. Explained the state provides $5400 per student but that we spend $7300 per student in Manhattan Beach and that the community funds the shortfall.

Vice-Presidents’ Reports

1. Fundraising-Donna Gilroy/Holly Kropschot: Noted Jog-Thon is April 29 and is still looking for parent volunteers. Requested parents support the Family Dragon Day silent auction. Discussed whether to invite other schools to Family Dragon Day and agreed for this year we would not do that.
2. Student Services-Karen Cavallo/Charmaine Nielsen: Noted Heidi is designing the t-shirts for next year. Advised the bake sale at Family Dragon Day will finance the 5th grade gift. Parents of 5^th graders will be charged for the party.
3. Operations-Debbie Zoppi: Staff Appreciation Week is upcoming and needs support. Requested donations.

President's Report - Beth Allen/Susan Warshaw

1. Reminded membership of Pride Day on March 19, Talent Show on March 11 and Family Dragon Day on May 21.
2. Advised Dale Keldrauk, Cindy Ellenberg and Susan Warshaw would be travelling to Sacramento to lobby legislative groups.
3. Noted Thursday is PTA State Budget Advocacy Day and reminded all to contact the Governor.

Treasurer’s Report-Susan Warshaw for Tami Brothers

1. MOTION TO RATIFY CHECKS 1786-1831 FROM THE COMMERCIAL CAPITAL ACCOUNT by Charmaine Nielsen, 2^nd by Denise Ellis. All in favor, motion carries.
2. MOTION TO RATIFY CHECKS 287-867 FROM THE COMMERCIAL CAPITAL SCRIP ACCOUNT by Jennifer Claman, 2^nd by Tammy Choy. All in favor, motion carries.
3. Noted nothing has changed on budget.

New Business

1. Denise Ellis advised scrip numbers are down for the year. Raffled gift certificates for those purchasing $75 or more of scrip during March.
2. Noted last PTA Meeting of the year will be off campus.
3. Noted Kim Wilson and Becky Allen will assist at Meadows Beautification Day.

Time of Adjournment-8:19 p.m.

 

Minutes filed by Cathey Graves, Recording Secretary