Pennekamp PTA Meeting Minutes

For September 21, 2004

 

Call to Order-7:15 p.m.

 

President’s Report-Beth Allen/Susan Warshaw

1. Thanked Denise Ellis and Kim Wilson for refreshments.

2. Thanked teachers for involvement in PTA and for attendance at meeting.

3. Reminded all members to sign up for eNews.

4. Requested that volunteers sign up to help as docents with the Growing Great program.

5. Introduced new officers.

Pledge of Allegiance-Suzie Wheeler

 

Secretary’s Report-Cathey Graves

1. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 8, 2004 PTA MEETING by Lucy DaGiau, 2^nd by Jennifer Claman. All in favor, motion carries.

Principal’s Report-Dale Keldrauk

1. Noted smooth opening of the school year.

2. Advised of recent testing results, which placed MBUSD fifth among school districts in the state. Complimented the supportive parent community and the top notch staff for these results.

3. Introduced new teachers. Noted that the staff was smaller as a result of budget cuts including loss of choral music, ½ physical education, and classroom assistants and reductions in technology and library.

4. Pledged support to PTA. Complimented PTA on the additions of new umbrellas, banners, and bulletin boards and the efforts of the Beautification Committee.

5. Encouraged all parents to be active in school.

6. Invited all parents to attend back to school night.

Webmaster Report-Tammy Choy

1. Advised of the new PTA website and thank all who contributed.

2. Advised Jeanne Keasler will be the new webmaster in November.

3. Complimented Naomi Ryono on the graphics work on the website.

4. Explained how the website works.

 

Membership-Tammy Choy

1. Discussed the joint MBEF/PTA appeal. Explained that each school PTA was permitted to request up to $100 per student in addition to the MBEF request for $500 per student. Noted Pennekamp PTA had decided to request $50 per student plus dues of $8 per member. Explained that MBEF would utilize the funds to provide just under $2 million/year to the schools for three years to fund programs that would have been eliminated.

2. Noted that Pennekamp PTA has already signed up in excess of 400 members, compared with 60-80 at other schools.

3. Recognized Beth Allen and Tami Brothers for work done last year and over the summer to jumpstart the fund drive.

 

MBEF-Anne McLaughlin

1. Advised that the state was obligated to fund the cost of classrooms, teachers and a principal and that other expenses would be paid for by MBEF including librarians, technology, 4^th and 5^th grade assistants, educational support specialists, PE teachers, clerical and health assistants, instrumental music specialists and nurses.

2. Thanked teachers and parents for their support.

3. Noted MBEF fund drive is ongoing through November 30, 2004.

Treasurer’s Report-Tami Brothers

1. Advised that mandatory audits had been completed. Robin Page audited the records of the PTA Treasurer for period July 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. Anne McLaughlin audited the period January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004.

2. MOTION TO APPROVE THE AUDITS FOR TIME PERIODS JULY 1, 2003 TO DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND JANUARY 1, 2004 TO JUNE 30, 2004 made by Susan Warshaw, 2^nd by Cindy Ellenberg. All in favor, motion carries.

3. Reviewed and discussed proposed 2004-2005 budget. Noted that this year’s budget looks significantly different from prior years due to PTAs no longer being able to pay salaries. Noted that in drafting the budget with input from administrators, teachers and parents the single most important priority was to fund enrichment and curriculum needs. Advised Artist In Residence budget increased significantly to provide each teacher with 3 hours of art/drama/music each month during the school year. Line 49 of the budget is a portion of the amount approved last year for shade. The item is reflected in this year’s budget because the expenditure occurred after the close of the fiscal year. The shade proposal for this year is set forth in line 50 and represents the costs to provide shade to a portion of the lower playground. A picture of the proposed shade structure was shown to the membership. Answered question from the floor and indicated that PTA had received competitive bids for shade.

4. MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2004-2005 BUDGET made by Holly Kropschot, 2^nd by Debbie Zoppi. All in favor, motion carries.

5. MOTION TO RATIFY CHECKS 1614-1659 FROM THE HAWTHORNE SAVINGS GENERAL ACCOUNT AND CHECKS 771-781 FROM THE HAWTHORNE SAVINGS SCRIP ACCOUNT by Donna Gilroy, 2^nd by Andrea Fodness. All in favor, motion carries.

Fundraising-Donna Gilroy/Holly Kropschot

1. Noted that scrip special orders should be in by October 1, 2004.

2. Advised giftwrap fundraiser is underway and Entertainment books will be available in October. The books will sell for $20, with $7 minimum per book coming to Pennekamp.

3. Advertised the first Parent Party. The party will have a Western theme and admission will be $75 per person.

4. Reported that Sue Sublette will chair Family Dragon Night this year.

5. Noted the Book Fair will be the week of November 29, 2004.

6. Advised preparations for the Home Town Fair are proceeding.

7. Noted Family Portraits fundraiser is upcoming in October.

Student Services-Karen Cavallo/Charmaine Nielson

1. Reminded members that October 8, 2004 is the last day to order T-shirts.

2. Requested that yearbook photos be submitted throughout the year.

3. Noted ice cream sales commenced last week and ice cream prices have been raised to $1 per treat.

4. Advised school pictures would take place next Tuesday.

5. Noted that a meeting for all volunteers for Authors Week would take place on September 30, 2004.

6. Requested volunteers for the Family to Family program.

 

Operations-Debbie Zoppi

1. Advised that a new committee had been formed for Campus Beautification and that Becky Allen and Kim Wilson were chairing the committee.

2. Advised the clothing and toy drive would take place during parent/teacher conferences in December.

3. Noted the Directory was continuing to solicit sponsors and that one copy would be provided to each PTA member.

4. Noted The Dragons Roar will be published monthly and will feature human interest stories.

5. Advised other committees would be working throughout the year. Historian Naomi Ryono will be compiling photographs from various Pennekamp functions and posting them on the website. Hospitality will provide refreshments at all PTA meetings. PTA Reflections will be hosting a competition under the theme "A Different Kind of Hero." Noted the Library and Room parent coordinators are currently soliciting volunteers. Operations Committee members will be hosting Staff Appreciation Days and the Scholastic and Troll book programs and stuffing Tuesday envelopes.

 

MOTION TO END THE MEETING made by Charmaine Nielson, 2^nd by Tami Brothers. All in favor, motion carries.

 

Time of Adjournment-8:50 p.m.

 

Minutes filed by Cathey Graves, Recording Secretary