November 19, 2009
PTA Meeting
www.clairelilienthal.org
Attending:
David Bass, Jordan Hymowitz, John Wong, John Olden, Nancy Sur, Meserve Platt
William Hack: Administrative representative
Meeting called to order at 6:30pm
Minutes from May read by Nancy Sur, Stefan Adler moved to approve, John Olden seconded, approved unanimously.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – William Hack
• Thanked everyone for their work on the Poker Night, particularly Jordan Hymowitz
• Will record photos of fund-raising thermometers for yearbook
• Challenge Day a big success. Making a difference in tone and atmosphere of big campus
•Plans and budget on track.
• Attended Enrollment Fair. Many visitors. Brad Kaplan was representative, along with Mr. Hack and Ms. Lee.
• Reviewed Superintendent’s counsel from spring that cuts would be minimal to site budget. $70,000 cuts were levied, more than anticipated. William agreed to up Kindergarten enrollment per class to 22, which covered the cuts. K teachers are doing fine with the increased enrollment.
• Korean immersion program teacher, Tina Kwon, was cut back slightly (.25 off), approximately $5K per year. William noted that she supports math and other classes as well as KIP. Considering opening up Korean Culture elective in the spring.
Motion: Susan Burkhardt moved that the PTA fund the .25 time difference for Ms. Kwon’s position. Stefan Adler seconded.
Ayes: Unanimous pass.
Nays: 0
• Camp EdMo donating programs for teachers to use as thanks for allowing use of Madison campus over the summer.
• Compost monitors going well at little campus. Not quite as robust at Scott campus. Got blue recycling and green compost bins for every classroom.
• SF Shakespeare Festival is coming back for the middle school.
• $8K left in GSY budget from $145mm grant
• December 10 Songfest at Washington HS for K-6. 7 and 8 will work as ushers.
FUNDRAISING REPORT – Jordan Hymowitz
• Poker Night netted $20K.
• 2009 Annual Fund raised $157K. Up 59% from last year. Appears to be highest # raised in any K-8 public school. Most schools have raised less, and are facing cuts.
• 1st grade won bowling party for participation
• $10K in matching corporate grants.
• Encouraged people to engage in criticism more constructively in the future by approaching the committee coordinator one on one.
TREASURER’S REPORT – David Bass
•Noted that Poker Night costs covered by corporate donations, largely thanks to Jordan’s solicitations.
• Fleet Week parking also very successful.
• Budget in very good shape. We will be roughly $40K ahead of the beginning of the year. $174K available to PTA. Will be $210K with deposits to be made.
• Classroom supplies have been major spending to date this year.
• $18K still available for tech budget from allocation from last year.
• GSY is under budget, thanks to Maria’s handling.
• Debit cards to teachers program is underway.
• Electronic banking established. Will be able to export to Quickbooks.
• Spirit merchandise income exceeding expectations.
• Most of Outdoor Ed vendors asking for $ now for 2010 trips. Catalina already paid for.
• Age of Sail Balclutha program paid for itself.
• Lot of money came in to teachers’ funds from capital campaign, and each teacher got $1K in addition.
• Planned to raise $250K this year. Have blown out PTA membership income. Fall fundraiser was net extra. We are currently well ahead of budget needs, and additional classroom funds are available.
• New bank, First Republic, much better on fees than previously. Jordan noted that we are the only public school served by First Republic.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Fall Book Fair volunteers needed. New chair needed for next year.
WEBSITE REPORT – David Fox
•Vic noted his thanks for the $ for servers for both campuses. David and Jordan’s fundraising efforts made that possible.
• Dave F shared new website. Invited everyone to join the CL Facebook page and add their names and contact info to the website.
• Invited people to add content to the site – can be submitted to Dave and it will be approved by Mr. Hack to be put up.
• ClaireWear available on website.
CAPITAL PROJECTS – Jordan Hymowitz
• Mr. Hack noted that we will be getting curtains for Scott stage, and floor will be re-done, and new floors in Madison Library and offices.
• Metal storage bins can not be removed by the District, since the PTA purchased them. They are decaying and need to be replaced. Mr. Hack asked for volunteers to help remove them. A priority because we need to store emergency supplies there. $2K was approved for this at Exec Comm meeting
• Science lab costs are prohibitive. A mobile science lab is available for <$10K, and that is being pursued now. Mr. Delwiche has approved the need for this.
GSY REPORT – Maria Hogan
• 3rd and 4th grades working in the garden. Kids having lots of fun.
• Maria has started a re-usable water bottle fundraiser to help cover costs of GSY.
• Plan is to get the irrigation system in before spring. Pea gravel will be brought to Scott campus.
• William noted that funds will be available to do GSY at Madison on a schedule about 3 years behind Scott campus (in response to question from Andrea Gormley).
OUTDOOR ED
• Discussion needs to be had on alternative trips or cutting back on some grades’ trips.
• Mr. Hack nominated Ms. Eller to run 6th grade committee to look at new, less expensive options for 6th grade.
• If anyone is interested in working on OE as a whole should talk to Mr. Hack or Ms. Eller – Ms. Gormley encouraged it to be a consideration for all grade levels.
• OE is single largest line item in budget. Needs to be more self-funding.
• Mr. Hack will put it into bulletin.
Question raised as to why we are not more green, and closer to paperless in our school communications. Mr. Hack promised to address the issue next meeting.
John Wong moved to adjourn. David Bass seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:40