Pennekamp PTA Meeting Minutes

For November 16, 2004

 

Call to Order-7:12 p.m.

 

Secretary’s Report-Cathey Graves

1. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 PTA MEETING by Denise Ellis, 2^nd by Andrea Fodness. All in favor, motion carries.

Guest Speaker - Carolyn Leserman MBEF

1. Discussed the status of the MBEF Fund Drive. Noted that $1,322,000 has been donated to date district-wide.
2. Advised of recent meeting between MBEF and PTA Presidents and/or representatives to evaluate the status of the campaign. During the meeting it was noted that there was approximately $300,000 outstanding based on people who gave last year but had not contributed this year. Additionally, Grandview has agreed to contribute the proceeds from its Gator Run to MBEF, which should be in the $30,000-40,000 range.
3. Noted game plan to solicit contributions through the end of November would include a letter campaign. A different letter would be sent to Manhattan Beach families, high school families and Hermosa families.
4. Provided history of MBEF. Noted MBEF was born in the wake of Proposition 13 and ADA deficiencies. The school board had eliminated funds for art and it was decided to raise the funds through MBEF. In the initial year, MBEF raised $20,000. The emphasis was on payment for enhancements, not core courses. Last year, the emphasis was changed to include core courses because core courses were eliminated.
5. Advised of attendance at the California Consortium of Education Foundations. Advised Manhattan Beach had not been involved in the organization for 5 years but that the organization has developed and is now an important forum. Learned that most Foundations statewide are asking for $400-1000 per student. Interesting discussions had regarding involving PTAs in Foundation work.
6. Addressed changes in the philosophy of the MBEF. Noted that other Foundations, including Malibu, raise more money for endowment than funding and that this allows them to support the arts with the interest earned rather than new funds. Manhattan Beach is exploring this option.
7. Advised the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation meets at the District office at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month.
8. In response to a question from the audience, noted that Manhattan Beach currently has a $1.55 million endowment. The Foundation is currently evaluating how best to grow that money. In the past, 20% of all funds collected went to the endowment. Now because of increased funding needs, 5% of the annual fund drive will be placed in the endowment this year. Additionally, the endowment receives 25% of the proceeds from the wine auction.
9. In response to a question whether donating to MBEF gets the district off the hook in terms of funding, Ms. Leserman stated no; the funds just would not be there.
10. Regarding inquiries as to how many Pennekamp families had donated to date, Tammy Choy interjected that over 80% of all families had given $50 to the PTA and 58% of those had contributed to MBEF. Over 1/3 of all Pennekamp families contributing to MBEF donated $500 per child as requested. The issue now is how to encourage donors who contributed last year to contribute at those same levels. MBEF is confident that if the programs promised are there, people will give more. Decreased phone calls indicate people understand the process.
11. A member of the audience noted that members of the Superintendents Circle may not feel appreciated and that more should be done to make them feel special. Ms. Leserman thanked the questioner for making her aware of this issue and noted that there is a reception during the summer and that after Vital Programs, 900 people were invited and 200 people came.
12. In response to a concern that people might donate more readily to an individual school since they know where the money is going, Leserman indicated it is important to continue to educate all that the funds collected will be evenly distributed amongst the schools.
13. Noted class size reduction is not mandated by the state but is made possible by MBEF. Based on the District survey, this is the number one priority at every site level.
14. Assured that the survey was only one part of the data that would be used to determine spending priorities in the event more money becomes available. The survey is important because it allows people to provide input into the spending decisions that will be made. Assured the audience that the District will examine the surveys keeping in mind the grade level of the respondent.
15. One parent reminded Ms. Leserman that the District needed to look at infrastructure issues since there is no constituency for those needs. It was noted that certain programs have marquee value for parents but that administrators need to look at all needs.
16. Requested that the District do what is necessary to produce strong results in the middle school and high school. Affirmed that it is important to not only have strong elementary schools but a strong high school.
17. Noted that when parents give money, it goes into one pot with the exception of Hermosa money. If there is a shortfall at the end of the campaign, the Foundation will discuss with the PTAs the possibility of additional donations to MBEF from the PTAs directly.

 

Membership-Tammy Choy/Joanne Schnuckel

1. Advised that Pennekamp was the first elementary school to complete its fund drive and that 98% of families joined PTA. All classrooms received the $75 teacher incentive.
2. Noted that Pennekamp is well represented on the MBEF Board of Directors. There are currently 11 current or former Pennekamp parents on the Board.
3. Noted that last year over 76%of Pennekamp families gave to MBEF. Pennekamp is second in terms of participation amongst all the Manhattan Beach elementary schools.
4. Advised that the $500 per child goal was based on the costs to cover class-size reduction and salaries for library and technology specialists and 4^th and 5^th grade instructional assistants.
5. Advised that Pennekamp has already earned $500 for the library for contributions to MBEF. 22 of 26 classrooms have over 50% participation, 3 have greater that 75%. 58% of Pennekamp families have contributed to MBEF to date and Pennekamp has over 100 Supercircle families.
6. Susan Warshaw thanked Tammy for all her analysis and efforts to help evaluate the fund drives and make them more effective.

Principal’s Report-Dale Keldrauk

1. Offered insight that despite some difficult financial issues, the attitude is positive at Pennekamp.
2. Complimented PTA on a successful presentation of Stranger Danger.
3. Noted that many Pennekamp families enjoyed the pumpkin races at the Holliday residence.
4. Advised the recent flag ceremonies were very successful.
5. Noted the Parent Party was a huge success financially and a lot of fun.
6. Noted the Richstone Feast was a great fundraiser.
7. Congratulated Pennekamp on its collection of Campbell soup labels and advised that Pennekamp would be featured for its efforts in the Beach Reporter.
8. Noted that Pennekamp students won three trophies at a recent STAR chess tournament.
9. Advised that artist Susan Reid started the mural project at school.
10. Advised that several teams will be competing at Legoland.
11. Noted Dr. Gross will speak at the February PTA meeting and that the principals of the middle school and high school will address the PTA in April.

Treasurer’s Report-Tami Brothers

1. MOTION TO RATIFY CHECKS 1660-1717 FROM THE HAWTHORNE SAVINGS GENERAL ACCOUNT AND CHECKS 782-808 FROM THE HAWTHORNE SCRIP ACCOUNT by Denise Ellis, 2^nd by Andrea Fodness. All in favor, motion carries.
2. Noted received check to cover Artists in Residence expenses from last year and an additional $1000 in expenses will probably be reimbursed under a grant.
3. Noted the Hawthorne General account is currently holding $100,000.
4. Highlighted that revenue from the Parent Party approximated $18,000 and that ½ the auction amount, approximately $4500, had been deposited.
5. Proposed that PTA create a specific line item on the budget to accommodate teachers’ requests for curriculum/academic enrichment or remediation books and supplies. Noted School Site Council previously made these funds available. To date, there have been specific requests at the second and fifth grade levels for books for remediation and enrichment reading.
6. MOTION TO CREATE A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET FOR CLASSROOM OR GRADE LEVEL ENRICHMENT OR REMEDIATION made by Cindy Ellenberg, 2^nd by Debbi Zoppi. All in favor, motion carries.
7. Solicited volunteers to audit Pennekamp records for time periods July through December 2004 and January through June 2005.

Fundraising-Donna Gilroy/Holly Kropschot

1. Noted that Entertainment Books successfully netted $2500 and wrapping paper revenue is approximately $12,000. The parent party netted $18,000.
2. Advised Young At Art note cards will be delivered the first week in December.
3. Noted the directories are at the printer.

Student Services-Karen Cavallo/Charmaine Nielson

1. Advised fliers went out today for the Book Fair which is scheduled for November 29-December 3, 2004.
2. Noted that T-shirt sales are concluded for the year.
3. Complimented all on a great Halloween parade.
4. Solicited additional volunteers for Author’s Week and the Talent Show.

Operations-Debbie Zoppi

1. Advised the Campus Beautification Committee approved murals to be painted on campus.
2. Noted a flier went out to advertise the clothing drive and that they are seeking gently used clothing and toys.
3. Noted the deadline to submit an entry to the Reflections contest is November 24.

Other Business

1. Andrea Fodness proposed that PTA fund a music assembly directed by her brother. He has previously done this for her sons’ classes and she proposes the program be expanded to include all grade levels. Susan Warshaw requested an email from Andrea with the details.
2. Susan Warshaw advised that the District is close to finding a music component to include in the Artists In Residence program. This will bring participatory music back to the classroom.
3. Tami Brothers requested that teachers coordinate their efforts and agree on one charity to support, whether it is Richstone or some other charity.

Time of Adjournment-8:38 p.m.

 

Minutes filed by Cathey Graves, Recording Secretary