September 18, 2008

PTA Meeting

Board Attending: John Wong; Cari Gennarelli; Nancy Sur; Dave McIlhenny; Jim Thirtyacre; John Olden; Brad Kaplan; Robyn Lipsky; Gary Goldsborough; MJ Call; Meserve Platt

Absent: John Rothman

Minutes from May, 2008 – read by Nancy Sur. Brad moved to approve minutes. Jim Thirtyacre seconded. Approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

• Dave handed out financial statements

• Net loss of $44,800 in 2007-8. Income $191.2. Expenses heavily weighted to Outdoor Ed due to bill from prior year for $15K and fuel costs much higher than previous year.

• Shared budget approved last year. Total of $750 projected surplus.

• Dave noted that there are ongoing discussions of how to reduce the cost of Outdoor Ed.

• Discussion of the need for equity in the proportion of each grade’s Outdoor Ed that is covered by the PTA.

• Green Schoolyard coordinator and maintenance – new expense item of $15K.

• We are at record levels for PTA membership dollars thus far. $8-9K ahead of projection currently.

• $156.3K in the bank currently

• Request that Dave lists amount contributed to each classroom fund (since we are collecting these funds through a new method). Marci Ryan asked that we compare $ collected this year vs last.

• Dave M and John W requested feedback and suggestions from community to improve contribution form.

Amanda Block Report

• API scores rose from 871 up to 892

• Smooth opening of school

• Teacher Professional Dev days held before school began – focusing on Social Justice, Accountability, and High Achieving and Joyful Learners

• School academic plan is changing this year to the Balanced Scorecard

• Surveys, community meetings and SSC have contributed to getting academic plans in place already for this year.

• SSC nominations coming in for this year.

• Fully staffed with fully credentialed teachers in their content areas.

• Welcomed new staff members – Laura Morton in 2^nd grade; Shaun Lyons as half time 6^th grade teacher; Dara Schwartz, early education; Gena Bianchi; Brin Knapper

• Chess, tae kwon do, and Spanish continuing after school.

• CLLA over subscribed significantly. Bumped it up 20 more kids, but still kids that are not covered. Continuing to look at additional solutions.

  • Robyn Lipsky raised the issue of having to have kids in CLLA 5 days a week which does not allow them to do outside classes and activities.

  • Amanda asked that the discussion be moved outside the PTA meeting as not the appropriate forum.

  • John W offered to identify a venue to have the CLLA discussion.

• 6^th Grade bubble class raises the issue of listed capacity – lowering it to reduce assignments from District.

• CL looking at final budget from State tomorrow – anticipate slightly more than last spring budget level.

• Green Schoolyard plan has been finalized, District is collecting bids. Grant for Madison campus has been made. Funds cannot be transferred to Scott.

• Prop H has allowed us to hire a new music teacher at Madison.

• Nov 8 is enrollment fair – invited community members to help represent CL at fair.

• ADA construction almost complete at Madison campus.

Teachers

• Ms. Eller mentioned she is planning for trip to Costa Rica and will do the Apple Pie fundraisers. Asked for PTA support in the effort.

• Ms. Hadley noted that the middle school teachers plan to attend every PTA meeting this year.

Membership

• 45% school-wide participation to date. Goal is 100%. Will maintain membership drive through December.

• Pizza party to every grade level that hits 75%.

• Donor has offered $5K if 75% mark is hit.

• Highest $ grade level will get a bowling party.

• Suggestion that kids get involved in getting their parents to donate, particularly in the higher grades. Also a suggestion that we investigate why parents don’t contribute at higher grade levels. John Wong will discuss it outside the meeting.

Auction News – MJ Call

• Launched discussions for Auction already

• March 21 at St. Mary’s

• $100K is goal. Planning to cut costs, in part by using more school labor for tasks such as envelope stuffing.

• Team leaders set for every area.

• Transition plan in place for next year. Cynthia Hogan will shadow MJ to prepare to lead next year’s Auction.

• Several volunteer positions that need to be filled.

• Professional auctioneer will be hired. Thought is to get experience to increase revenue. May mean we cannot afford a live band. May be able to get a pro bono auctioneer.

• Laurie Nelson will head up a new event, a Wine Key raffle.

• Catalog ad sales will be added. Will try to get printing expenses covered and generate cash for trip prizes.

• Soliciting submissions for new Auction logo. Karen Hadley offered some of the 8^th graders artwork as possibilities.

• Asked to set aside time at the next PTA meeting to discuss Carol Munch’s departure next year. Carol should be invited to the meeting.

• Suggestion of adding online bidding to Auction capability.

• Suggestion of inviting CL alumni to attend.

Fall Fund-Raiser – John Wong

• Mission is to raise $10K.

• Poker night under consideration.

• Car raffle under consideration.

• Robyn mentioned her group is looking at a 1 night, 3 hour emergency training session through NERTs, including inviting the community in. Will also sell emergency kits (CL keeps 10%)

• Robyn also working with Sports Basement for a CL day % off and sales contribution. Can do an evening event and serve refreshments. Robyn asked for input on dates.

• Green Zebra guides available 2^nd week in October. Rainbow Grocery $20 coupon will be included. Letter will be distributed ahead of distribution so people can opt out. Preference expressed that the GZ go out ahead of or at same time as Entertainment Book.

• Noted that parking fund-raiser needs to provide for yard cleaning afterwards.

Greening Committee

• Pam added that planting tubs are being procured for the Scott campus, and should begin in next few weeks.

• Dave M. raised the issue of whether the Greening recurring expenses are justified in a down budget year and whether Greening will encroach on phys ed needs. Pam and Amanda both assured the meeting that the teachers are involved and behind the program and are integrated curriculum.

  • Jim Thirtyacre noted that grants are available for ongoing maintenance and support.

  • John noted that each program needs to be re-examined in this economy, and each program needs to be justified anew.

Miscellaneous

• Dave M mentioned that he has built a database of volunteer preferences if anyone needs community resources for fundraising and other projects.

• MJ reported that Stella Kim has volunteered to run GL Script – another merchant contribution program. Robyn is coordinating all merchant programs.

• Dave M raised issue of whether the PTA can support a raise for Amy. Mr. Hack is trying to find funding for it in his budget. Plan is to have PTA fund raise in the interim Karen Hadley moved to pass. Jim Thirtyacre seconded. Unanimously approved.

• First Friday Family Night – Madison campus, Oct 4.

• Susan raised issue of SSC goal of increasing community participation – asking room parents or other volunteer to try to coordinate getting a parent volunteer from each classroom at each PTA meeting.

• Robyn asked that PTA meeting agenda be published ahead of the meeting, and that the actual date of the meeting be included, not just “third Thurs”.

Nancy Sur moved to adjourn. John Olden seconded. Meeting Adjourned.