April 15, 2010
PTA Meeting
www.clairelilienthal.org
Attending:
Jim Thirtyacre, David Bass, Jordan Hymowitz, John Olden, Nancy Sur, Meserve Platt, John Wong, Cari Gennarelli, MJ Call, Brad Kaplan
Mr. Hack, Mrs. Lee: Administrative representatives
Mr. Kanios, Ms. Eller, Ms. Gormley: Faculty representatives
Meeting called to order at 6:30pm
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – William Hack
• Just returned from Union Executive Board meeting in Sacramento. Met with Jerry Hill.
• Noted that the only “discretionary” funds in site budget are early literacy specialist and part time Korean immersion teacher
• Talked about a “Dollar Fund” to help raise money for Tijuana orphanage that CL family volunteers for
Budget Issues:
• 5 teachers have received layoff notices. No resolution yet.
• Consolidated teachers = early literacy specialist, half time KIP teacher
• K-8 schools have received new allocation that makes class cuts and class size increases and staffing changes unnecessary. No private funding required for any existing site budget expenditures.
-Noted that things could change over the summer
-Unclear as to cause of re-funding, based on assumption that there will be an agreement on furlough days - still under consideration
• Current budget could sustain cuts up to approximately $50K
• Discussed method for moving PTA money into trust in the District to pay for staff in the event of additional cuts (although neither the PTA nor CL Administration would not have a say over who would take such staff openings)
• No guarantee that teachers that have been pink-slipped will come back. There is no way to fight for the teachers we want to keep, unless we go to state legislators in Sacramento to lobby for the change. Partly a Union issue.
•Whatever money we give to the district stays available to CL ongoing, whether used initially for a teaching position or not.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
• Jim is researching how different PTA’s have funded teacher positions at other schools in case it is needed. Still collecting information.
• Jim confirmed that any money held by the District could be used for alternative purposes (Outdoor ed., etc) as needed
• Marci Ryan looking for someone to replace her in running the Book Fair next year.
• MayFair is coming up – need volunteers! Be sure to sign up via Wed envelope.
• Elections: Brad K running Nominating Committee. Looking for additional volunteers to run for Board positions, particularly a VP of Fundraising.
• Question raised as to whether a decision could be made by the PTA over the summer if budget changes happen. Meserve addressed – we could either leave it to the Board to call a general meeting or to have the Board vote on it
-Jim suggested that we have a vote in May to cover the eventuality – if we have to fund a position, do we want to turn the money over to the District to do so?
-Stefan Adler suggested we need the full budget details in order to have the discussion
• Jim introduced petition for proposition to allow easier passage of parcel taxes. A way to gain some control over school funding from State.
• Mello Roos is up for renewal – provides $7mm /yr to District for earthquake, fire, and other safety issues. If MR not renewed, District still needs to cover $7mm/yr.
AUCTION REPORT
• Debriefing committee of Auction committee this Monday a.m. to improve organization even more for next year.
• Auction net $99K+. Spent a little more on catering this year, but made a very nice event. Better community team builder than in past years. Reflecting on value of Auction as a community activity, not just a fundraiser. Will report back on recommendations for next year.
TREASURER’S REPORT –
David Bass
• Corporate matching has been added into general fund
-$1K each from Wells Fargo, BofA, Schwab, Google, Amgen, some matching grants to parents, some legacy programs. Jim has been sending out thank you’s to corporations.
• $2400 generated thru Green Zebra - not planned. Book Fair out-earned budget $5570 (vs $5K budget)
• Have not funded any Science upgrades (as budgeted)
• Approx $17K above budget now.
• Pointed out that we already use the District as a pass-thru for funds – busses, supplies, etc. Even if funds not needed for staffing, we have plenty of ways to use the funds in the District’s hands.
• Suggested re-consideration of restricted funds to allow more flexibility in case of funds being turned over to District.
• David noted that request for OE scholarships way up this year.
• Questions (from Mel) raised as to how much average teacher has left over? How much goes to field trips? How much is in rainy day fund?
-Vanguard account = approx $90K ($12K is endowment, $78 teachers)
• Stefan Adler pointed out that a detailed budget would be available for end of year.
• Stefan re-capped demands on school budget and introduced motion for discussion:
Motion: Resolved that, the Claire Lilienthal PTA Board shall develop the PTA’s 2010 – 2011 budget. The PTA Board will submit the proposed budget for review and approval at the May 2010 PTA General Meeting. The budget will be prepared within the following limits:
· Fund additional staff positions to minimize the impacts on the school of the district funding cuts (as outlined in William Hack’s April 2010 letter to the CL Community)
--Expected positions include ½ time literacy specialist, ½ time KIP extension / class size reduction, middle school math consultant, 1st / 2nd grade teacher to maintain reduced class sizes at an estimated annual cost of $180,000 - $200,000;
--Fund existing approved commitments aligned with the PTA’s existing priorities, while evaluating the PTA’s continuing expenses to identify potential cost savings;
--Allocate 33% – 50% of existing “rainy day fund” to meet 2010 – 2011 expenditures; and
--Evaluate fundraising efforts for potential increase.
• Michael Mazzaferro pointed out that the “rainy day fund” is really just our cash, not a separate set-aside. Called for a line item of a “rainy day fund” and that Executive Committee receive some authority to spend that fund over the summer if needed.
• Brad pointed out that only PTA members are supposed to be allowed to vote. So votes must be held at the PTA meeting with members identified, not on Survey Monkey or in Wed envelope.
• David Bass pointed out that we can contact each person who is a member of the PTA.
• Question (Allen) as to timing of District funding decision – William spoke on behalf of early commitment because it shows planning to the District – more flexibility. Benefit of some kind of “ballpark” commitment means that the school is ready and able to respond immediately. Issue raised is – will the District feel the same pressure to fund the positions if we commit funds early? Why can’t we just allocate the money as a separate line item in our own budget and not expose it to District? Mr. Hack is confident that a public commitment will not influence District or State decisions on whether they would fund the positions or not.
-Andrea Gormley raised the issue of next year’s funding – if we fund the position this year, do we need to fund it ongoing?
--Jordan raised question of timing of funding. Can we fund part now, part later? And can we change who the individual is once they are hired? William confirmed that we do not have any discretion on who the person is once he/she is hired.
--William will do some research to find out how long we can put the money in the budget without committing it. Stefan suggested we fund partially so that the funds are available at the start of the school year, and then we fund the balance later if needed (so full commitment is not made up front)
MOTION by Mel: Before the next PTA meeting, that two budgets, best case and worst case scenario budgets be distributed to all PTA members, including a proposed rainy day fund amount.
Michael Mazzaferro seconded
Stefan Adler moved to table Mel’s motion
Jordan Hymowitz seconded
Vote: Voice vote, motion passed
MOTION by William: Move to support and fund the priorities pre-determined by the SSC and school community to fund a staff position if one or more positions is eliminated, due to budget cuts, over the summer, up to $80,000, fund to be entrusted to the School District at the latest time that will not have an adverse affect on the hiring.
Elizabeth Baker Chang seconded
Vote: Motion passed unanimously
Michael Mazzaferro commented on the high quality of the pre-meeting communication for tonight’s meeting.
Nominating Committee: Tom Bechtold
5 people have agreed to be nominated
President: Jim Thirtyacre
EVP: Mel Lee-Gardner
Treasurer: Michael Mazzaferro
Financial Secretary: Morgan Docks
Secretary: Meserve Platt
Need a candidate for Financial Vice-President in order to have a full slate – required for an election.
NEW BUSINESS
• Mike Grisso – share discussions among KIP parents – group decided to go to Bd of Supervisors to lobby for funding (when it looked like there would be cuts). As a result, KIP parents forming a task force to look for more permanent sources of funding and other related issues for the KIP program. Dawn Persky will chair.
-Supervisors supportive of bilingual education
-KIP commitment is to try to relieve PTA funding needs for KIP
Meserve Platt moved to adjourn, Michael Mazzaferro seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm