PTA General Meeting Minutes -- February 13, 2008

Minutes approved from the 6th of December w/out changes

Melissa Dragich speaks to the group. She talked a little bit about the second grade moving over to Fernwood

The plan is to move them over in September to the shop space. The facilities folks were a bit slow to get back to her (and her group). The district wanted to spend no money to do this. The district was receptive to her plan. Given all the options, that was the best option. About a week ago she met with the architect regarding the remodel. They want to get the teachers involved with the review process. There will be doors and windows looking into the classrooms. There is good access to the gym and the cafeteria, as well as restrooms. They will lower the ceiling, and tile the floors. As she and the group get more information they will pass it on. She asked what people might need as far as feedback. Someone asked if there might be a plan for parents to look at. She said there was a lot of thought as far as the design of this room. There will be three classrooms, and one extra space. There was a little discussion about an open design. Someone asked if we could look at it before anything begins. Melissa thinks it’s a mess, and not worth the stress of seeing it as it is. There are no plans to add to the bathroom space. There are no plans to do anything with the two utility rooms. There was a lot of the district money that was spent last year at Fernwood. Is there any benefit to a PTA committee to assist in the design of those rooms? Melissa is going to think about it, as well as think about how to have plans available for parents. Their plan is to start cleaning the space as design progresses, and the hope is to get the rooms done before the start of the next school year. She feels that good progress is happening, and that the district is listening. Someone thinks that there is basically an emergency every year that is occurring now, and that now might be the time to finally look at having a long term solution to the campus. The district answer would be that there is a finite amount of money, and that parents need to bring this up to the district and that if there is a more creative way to address the campus issue, she has not seen it.

Sam took the helm of the meeting at 7:05. Sam said Mary said we have 248 PTA members. The district recognized the PTAs ability to increase it’s membership. Amy said she would keep people updated as the issue of full day paid kindergarten progresses. She also elaborated about the allocation of teacher hours for the H/F campus.

Volunteer coordinator: She says there is always plenty of opportunity to help by volunteering time. The teachers like to have the help. March is Woman’s History Month and we could use the help. Susan and Michelle are working on that now. This year at Fernwood we are trying something new, which is a writing contest. Wacky Wednesday and fun Fridays can use help. We are looking for a Laura Ingalls Wilder, for Womens’ History on March 13.

For the budget-Sam wanted to draw attention to the Foundation number, which is a projection. Oregon PTA does not want the Foundation budget reflected in the PTA budget. Under the $16,000 grant budget, we have spent about half of that. There is another number, $44,000, another number that will be reduced as the school year progresses this year. We are going to set aside $15,000 for the time being because we don’t know how significant the startup costs will be. Plus, we don’t know the state of the magazine sales next year. There was a question about the teacher grants- are they difficult to fulfill.

Doug took the floor

This year we approved $16,000. The process has been a little bumpy, but we felt that the PTA had to be as prudent as possible and as transparent and fair as possible. Grants can also be written by parents. We have done two rounds of grants. We spent $5000 on capitol improvents. About $2500 on curriculum related things. $500 on classroom supplies. There are three items, two motions, that need to be voted on tonight. We think we have $15,000-$18,000 left. We would like to grant $500 for safety items. $5,000 for tutoring that the district is not going to pay for it. We are hoping that some of the parents will pay something towards this tutoring. We are going to put something together for next year. Doug makes the motion to approve the $5,500. Tim seconded the motion. The safety committee wants emergency supplies, crowbars, hard hats, and such for the staff. This is for the Fernwood school. Motion was voted on and approved. This will increase the line item of $16,000 by adding on the additional $5500.  A parent asked about money for the music program. There is a grant request that was approved for the band. There have been some requests for technology requests. The PTA is going to set up a committee to decide how to spend $10,000 to fulfill those requests. Things like projectors, computer memory, printers, and the like. Doug makes the motion to take money from the open budget to create the committee to figure out how to spend the money. Parents are welcome to write grants to get the things we need for the school. Motion carried. The third thing we want to approve is $2000 for k-2 startup to finish up the completion of the Hollyrood rooms, as well as keep some money on hand if Fernwood rooms will need help. Supplies and the like. Motion seconded. Motion carried.

The auction committee

Barb Blume and Christine were here. And Barb talked about the auction Friday March 7th at the tiffany center “A Simple Affair.” There are volunteer signups are circulating. Friday (this next) is the last day for procurement. That evening volunteers are defiantly needed. Questions can be asked if needed.

Sam plugged the Oregon PTA conference that is coming soon. There are all kinds of neat reasons to go. Sam said to meet him after this meeting and he can fill you in about it, April 18th and 19th.Abby Rankin-Stand For Children

They helped to elect a preschool legislation. They helped pass a local school levy, and a levy that supports the arts program. And a bunch of other stuff that I can’t keep up with as my typing isn’t that fast. Children’s investment fund is coming up for renewal, and Stand is going to try to support that. Abby is happy to talk to anyone about Stand and how they can help.Jill Lee talked about Run for the Arts. She is trying to come up with an incentive for the older children.

There is no unfinished business.

Cinnamon talked about the garden landscape program. She wants $200 or so to have the K-2 kids work on the garden. Andrew told her last year that any money raised last year was promised to the garden. We are going to look into what has been spent on the garden, and ask to have a grant written if more things are needed. Then there was more discussion about the garden. The Fernwood garden committee is putting together what kind of garden(s) would be good for the Fernwood school campus. Cinnamon will get back to the General Meeting group in April. Katherine wants to get more information about a meeting next week. Craig mentioned the survey on the web site.

We have an opportunity to present to carol smith what the state of the school is. There is a survey about what you think of the school. Sam will change the survey a little tonight. When the survey is completed Sam will post the results.