PVE PTO Minutes

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

In attendance: Kirsten Wujek, Carolyn Goebel, Chris Squier, Jennifer Pratt, Rebecca Cunningham, Becky Culp, Molly Griffin, Jen Kennedy, Kathy Wood, Cheri Mikesell, Debbi Kuller, Lesley Hargrave, Chad Smith

President:

Kirsten reminded everyone to start thinking about succession planning.

The PTO General Meeting is February 2^nd. Please invite others to come.

Vice-President:

Chris attended the School Board Meeting. The following topics were covered:

• The Eagle Elementary Principal is working on growth in ISTEP scores over 1 year.
• A Budget Group has been formed of about 15 people that have met 4 times so far. They are looking at possible ways to reduce expenses to address the financial challenges of the next few years.
• Some of the ideas brainstormed include:
• Early retirement
• Salary freeze
• Changes in lighting
• Changes in school year start date (e.g., Sept. vs. Aug.) to better manage heating/cooling costs
• Elimination of color copies and copying overall
• Bus route efficiencies and walk zones
• Program cuts in schools
• They also passed a motion to consider a referendum
• They did a first reading of the FMLA and the corporal punishment policy
• ZCare wants to reorganize to address turnover
• They reviewed the annuity program, which passed
• They discussed implementing “dual credit” courses – classes that earn college credit with high school credit. These courses are preferred over AP courses because more colleges recognize them.

The Arts Fair is on track. Items up for bid will include:

· The stained glass window and stepping stones (from the artist in residence),

· A day with Mr. Smith.

· 1 Hour with the Strolling Strings to play for an event

· 1 Free class from Sullivan

· 1 Free class from Monart

· 1 Free class from Village Dance Studio

There will be a cake walk - $1 per chance or 6 for $5.

The 4^th grade class will perform Peter Pan between 6 and 8 PM. The play is 30 minutes, with the first performance beginning at 6:15PM.

A motion was made by Carolyn Goebel to donate 2 stepping stones to the In-Style Luncheon for them to auction off. The motion was seconded by Lesley Hargrave and approved by all in attendance.

Chris feels that we have a good number of volunteers for the second half of the year. She is looking for one volunteer to pop popcorn for the next movie night. It is about a 2-2.5 hr. commitment. Molly Griffin volunteered.

Secretary:

Only one edit was made to the December meeting minutes: Lesley Hargrave was inadvertently omitted from those in attendance.

Becky Culp motioned to approve the minutes with the one edit, Carolyn Goebel seconded and all approved.

Treasurer:

A notice was received by the IRS – we need to file a schedule A.

Student Services:

Kokomo Beach Day planning is underway. It is a 30-minute event that occurs during lunch. Advertising will be done by the school.

Fundraising:

No new news. Start saving box tops and labels for the next competition.

Enrichment: Nothing new to report at this time.

Staff Services:

February 12 is scheduled for the next teacher appreciation day. A discussion was held with “A Cup Above” in preparation for this event. Should we set up early to allow time for volunteers to come in? How would we communicate this to everyone? Mass email?

It will cost $50 extra to offer smoothies. It was suggested to take the extra amount from what’s budgeted for the teacher breakfast.

Newsletter: Please have articles submitted to Ginger Lenig by the 20^th of each month.

Publicity: Kirsten to ask Andrea to put in Walk Across America photo in the papers.

Principal Chad Smith:

Thanks to Chris Squier for her work in obtaining funds for the artist in residence program.

Movie Night is one week from Friday. Last time we had huge attendance.

The Walk Across America program kicks off tomorrow.

• The teachers have pedometers to be used however they want.
• The program will raise awareness of what we consume and how that affects our health.
• During the assembly, a group photo of the whole school will be taken.

Thanks for the teacher grants and the literacy bins.

For more information on the economics affecting the school, attend the February 2^nd evening meeting. It will be very meaningful.

Chad would like to recognize all the teachers involved in the family math night. It is completely teacher run.

Reminder: Next PTO meeting is February 2nd, 2010 at 7:00 PM.