LHCS PTA Board Meeting Minutes - Lake Harriet Community School

LHCS PTA Board Meeting MinutesBoard Members Attending March 15, 2011X Kathryn Ludwig -- President X Ann Smith – Volunteer Coord. X Merry Tilleson, Asst. PrincipalX Amy Mimick – President-elect X Angie Arnold - Fundraising Coord. - Teacher Rep K-2X Lori Bakken -- Treasurer X Nicole Nelson - Communications X Rep 3-5 - Dawn PorterX Leota Pearson – Treasurer-elect X Mary Rynchek, Principal X Rep 6-8 - Zoe Meyer & CindyMatsumotoX Lynn Borden - Secretary X Ellen Murphy, Asst. Principal X Resource - Ann AmundsonOthers in attendance: Laura Joshi, Kristen Kelker, Valerie Threatt, Don Stellmaker (Carnival), Laura Norris, RustyOverby (Membership)Agenda Discussion ActionCall to Order Kathryn called the PTA meeting to order at 6:45pm. Introductions ofthe PTA Board Members, committee members, and guests were made.Kathryn briefly reviewed the ground rules (stick to the agenda; stick tothe time limits; no side conversations; be recognized by the Presidentbefore speaking).Working FamilyResourcePresentationBudget ProposalEmily Johnson, Development Manager for Working Family Resources,presented a variety of resources for parents. Created specifically towork with working parents. More information is available at the PTAtable out at the Science Fair.Mary presented an up-to-date report of next year’s proposed budget(green handout). The District has come through with some additionalfunds to cover some positions; PTA is funding 0.2 for the Stringsteacher. Overall, there are not too many changes from the current yearwith the addition of the District funding a third middle grades mathteacher. Discussion about PTA funding the two emeritus positions; theDistrict frowns upon this model as it pulls the kids out of theclassroom. LC – 16 hours/week (20 hours preferred); used primarily forreading assistance in first grade classroomsUC – 20 hours/week to reduce the classroom sizes duringmath. There is no room available for use for next year due toincrease number of classes.Per the PTA By-laws, monies raised by PTA are to go for enrichment.Mary Rynchek would prefer to not cut the arts when District fundinggets tighter.A question was raised if G&T (now Talent Development) willcontinue to have a dedicated room, thus, there would not be spacefor a classroom reduction emeritus teacher.o There are pieces that are not flexible (when health & mathare taught), so the G&T and/or emeritus teacher wouldhave to adjust their schedules to accommodate.Which is preferred – a push-in model or a pull-out model?Website:www.workingfamilyresourcecenter.orgTreasurer’sReportFinancial input – PTA funded $33,000 for both emeritus positions. Basefee is $22,000, plus ‘fringe’ (sick days, etc.). PTA paid all of UC andhalf of the LC positions. This year the positions will cost $30,000 foreach position, which covers the pay and the fringe.According to 2010-2011 Budget, the PTA budgeted $11,000 for LCemeritus and $22,000 for UC emeritus.Base fee is $22,000, plus ‘fringe’ (sick days, etc.). PTA paid all of UCand half of the LC positions. This year 2011-2012] the positions willcost $30,000 for each position, which covers the pay and the fringe.1. Lori reported the total income (1.0 onward) for the year, which isabout $28,000 short than projected for the year.The PTA Financecommittee willmeet on April 12 thto review this issuealong with thegrants proposed.

LHCS PTA Board Meeting Minutes Page 2Agenda Discussion Action2. The Program and Operating expenses are trickling in more.Teachers are submitting their classroom enrichmentAnother plea will goout as well as thereimbursement forms.upcoming Pancake3. The PTA is still about $39,000 short for fundraising to date.Breakfast andCarnival.FundraisingReport1. Angie reported that there will be one more plea for the pledgedrive. About $36,500 has been raised so far with a goal of $39,000.2. The Mason’s Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for March 27 th .CommunicationsUpdateNicole reported on the following:1. The website has been streamlined so there is not as much on theleft-hand side; middle grades teachers no longer listed by grade;and a few other changes.2. Kindergarten Orientation on May 5 th , so information about stayingconnected will come out.3. Mission Statement is finalized and will be on the website soon. Itwill also be given to the District so they have the correct version touse.Other CommitteeReports Volunteering Update –o Ann reported about the current volunteer needs besides theupcoming Carnival;o no responses to the last two email blasts; may need tohave weekly email blasts in April to recruit enough help Nominations Committee – Kathryn identified the need to thinkabout the PTA Committee (Board and all other roles) for next year.We need a Nominations Committee to help recruit for next year. Itwill be helpful to have a listing of all open positions.Special Updates Carnival – Donny reported that there is less upfront fundingavailable this year they already had an unexpected cost arise.Need two key committee chairs (Volunteers & Food)o Nicole reminded about the Carnival Emergency Station aswell as informing volunteers to know where to send anyindividuals needing emergency attentiono Ann asked that classroom teachers who’s rooms are beingused for the Carnival be informed as far in advance aspossible.o Theme is the same this year -- Dragons School Supplies Packet – Valerie gave an update about schoolpackets changes for next year. Hard copies only for kindergartenersgiven out at the Kindergarten Orientation; all other orders areon-line. Pick-up will be during the Ice Cream Social.Lynn will send anemail to all PTAmembers to seewho might now bereturning.A Nominationscommittee will betied in with the nextFinance committeemeeting on April12 th .Lori added thefunding into thebudget already.ReportsNew Business1. The Bullying Presentation on February 23 rd had about 25 peopleturn out. The presenters had a power point presentation, which theysent to Kathryn, who will work with Lorna to get it on the web2. Read-a-Thon raised about $11,600 after expenses. T-shirts arecoming.Is there a need for a PTA meeting in April to address the grantapplications and budget? Need to discuss the grants and possibleCarnival issues.The PTA Board received a copy of all the grants beforehand,reviewed them, then met to review the grants.Nicole is proposing an additional meeting to review the grantapplications plus an all-school PTA meeting to approve the grants.Discussion followed for pros and cons. Motion passed with one ‘no’.The meeting was adjourned at 8:27Next PTA meeting is on Tuesday, April 19 th at 6:45pmGrant informationwill be posted onthe website with theapplication