FMS PTSA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 8th, 2007
12:00-2:00 pm at the Conference Room
(Minutes approved for the records on 11/19/07)
In Attendance at the meeting were John Waldren, Jenny Parks, Amy Farris, Tom Dietrich, Lisa Riggan, Jackie Ferguson, Julie Baudette, Joan Mullene, Jeanna Stilman and Silvana Dice.
1- TREASURER UPDATE: PTSA funds on 10/01/07 totaled $10,395.71 in savings, and $6,867.49 in checking accounts respectively. Tom cleared the board on some of the protocols for the General Membership Meeting regarding the budget. Changes in the budget should be brought before the General PTSA members, not necessarily for vote or approval unless there is an objection. Standing rule item #9 was tabled to be voted in at the next Membership Meeting. Tom proposed to the board that he would like to have access the PTA account electronically. He would also use Quicken to download transactions. He will look into it and update the board at our next meeting. He also mention that the PTA should think about using debit cards to make purchases, even thou it brings on some issues of audit logistics. He mentioned the need to buy timers to be used during Parent Teacher Conferences and it was approved by the board.
2- PRESIDENTÕS UPDATE: Pictures for the Volunteer Plaque will be done during ParsonÕs pictures retakes on Thursday October 18th at 1:30 pm. Two volunteers would be needed for the program. John said that he still would like to have more information on it. He will contact John Newberry Elementary School, since they have had the program running for a while. He mentioned that he will also contact WAMU to get a better handle on the program. The culinary Cooking Club idea was brought up, but tabled for discussion at the next meeting, after the Parent Teacher Conferences are over. A presentation then would be given by Washington Mutual on the Banking Days. Amy updated the board that that bank said that the school would not be responsible for the monies collected. Amy updated the board on the Microsoft and Scholarship Fundraising Team UP Effort. It is done through the website www.search and give.com. Lisa mentioned that we should look into the privacy laws around it. Jenny moved the board to approve a change in the budget line for the Wenatchee Jazz Workshop from $ 300, 00 to $ 1.000, 00 with a unanimous vote from the board. Amy also mentioned the Cosmeo Online Program.
3- MEMBERSHIP- UP to date we have 142 members versus 184 members from last year. Teachers are still paying $5, 00 for their membership. There is a need to communicate to them about the change in Standing Rule #6.
4- VOLUNTEER UPDATE: Jenny shared that two volunteers would be needed during the Parent Teacher Conferences from PTSA. One or two could be bilingual volunteer for our monolingual speaking families. Two students would main the tables at the entrance with maps and schedules and ideally they would be bilingual. Twenty one volunteers are needed for the 16th, 18th, and 22nd during the ASB Magazine Sales for the turn in days. Jenny shared that this is our major last volunteer Òbig needÓ before the spring.
5- COMMUNICATION UPDATE: Upcoming newsletter will be out on Thursday October 11th. The printing of the newsletter will be done through the school # by way of a purchase order. A definite protocol to handle payments needs to be established by the board. The cost of the newsletter was still up for discussion. It is way too costly for the board. To reduce costs the PTSA contact information will be omitted.
6- FUNDRAISING UPDATE: The ink cartridge program is going well according to Jackie. She responded to the LIT Team request for timers by sharing that we look into the Green Points from Food Pavilion to acquire the timers. Jackie will look into the request for #35 timers.
7- PRINCIPALS REPORT: John requested that the PTSA help the school get parent participation in the form of feedback, on the Nine Characteristics perception data next spring. The focus chosen by the administration right now is for ÒStudents at this School Respect Other Students Who Are Different than They AreÓ. The use of the Teacher of the Month Recognition program was brought up by Silvana as a way to reach out to all the students. Teacher criteria for selection should be broadening to encompass a diverse category that could help in the selection process. The bottom line is that by pin pointing something good about every student they will feel better about themselves, and by feeling positive about their self image they will produce better results that could translate themselves into academics and/or their social interactions while in school. The teachers can be instrumental in this process if they choose to participate. If we think about it, which parent wouldnÕt want their children to be respected by who they are and what they believe? When reflecting on differences between students, that could mean those basic differences we find because of innate human attributes. John talked about an emerging Pilot Program to use Student Data and the Goals Form for intervention for those students that are not Òmaking the cutÓ. 7th grade data charts are kept by the core teachers. 6th and 8th records are housed in the classroom grade level equivalency. Teachers are to come up with a Student Learning Plan for students that did not pass the WASAL. The Mark OÕDonnell Scholarship needs refurbishing. The Renie Wilson Memorial ÔWho Am I As An AmericanÕ Scholarship for $ 500, 00, was moved and approved by the board. Jackie mentioned that we need to advise the family of our intent. Silvana asked if Jackie would draft a letter to the family to be signed by the board. She agreed to do so. Window Expression $ 40, 00 per teacher moved and approved as well.
8- ADJOURMENT: November 19th.
8- VOLUNTEER UPDATE: Jenny Parks
9- COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE: Julie Beaudette
10- LIT UPDATE
11- FUNDRAISER UPDATE: Lisa Riggan/Jackie Ferguson
12- OTHER: ASB Magazine Sales Oct. 10-19
13- PRINCIPALS REPORT: John Waldren
Survey Results/ Other
14- ADJOURNMENT: November 12th