January 12, 2012, PTO MINUTES - FINAL

January 12, 2012, PTO MINUTES

Present: Tammy Deppong, Jason Gutting, Kathy Fortin, Tara Fry, Rebecca Schmidt, Melissa Cole, Jamie Baldwin, Tara Bogle, June Hicks, Kate Johnson, Zach Johnson, Rachel Gutting, Jennifer Vanderklok, Stacey Tanay

I. Call to Order (7:05pm) - President Tammy Deppong

II. Welcome - President Tammy Deppong

III. Special Presentation - Melissa Cole, Library Services, Capital Area District Library
     A. Tutoring available for students in K-12 - Mondays and Thursdays, 5:00-7:00pm; no charge; any subject
     B. Large collection of juvenile non-fiction
     C. Expanding foreign language materials (Korean and Chinese)
     D. Bibliographies available by grade
     E. Strive to create life-long library users
     F. Website is CADL.org

IV. Approval of Minutes - Motion to approve November minutes by June Hicks, seconded by Jason Gutting. Motion carried.

V. Additions to Agenda - Scrip fundraiser

VI. Principal’s Report - Tara Fry
     A. Caught Being Good (CBG) - program based on minimizing small disruptive behavior to maximize learning
          1. Expanded to 12 classrooms in January
          2. CBG “tickets” issued to students; students then eligible to win a prize in a drawing that is held at the end of each day in each participating classroom
          3. Prizes are currently paid for with Start-Up Funds and Enrichment Grant money from Tara Fry and Social Worker; PTO may be requested to provide additional funds next fall
          4. 4th graders have responded well to program and now encourage each other; kindergarten has had some initial confusion about the drawing but it is expected to resolve as program continues
     B. Tier 2 Intervention - pilot program with 3 students for behavior modification; has not worked well at kindergarten level
     C. PTO funding for after-school club will not be needed this year (no Art Club this year)
     D. Reading Screening (Ames Web Screening) - have just completed testing and data team meetings will be held to adjust reading groups/levels
     E. 3rd Grade Big Zoo Lesson - will be held week of Feb 6; fund raising bake sale to be held week of Jan 16
     F. Report cards to be sent home Feb 6 - new format with standardized comments

VII. President’s Report - Tammy Deppong
     A. Cougar Cupboard and Closet - flyer to be sent home to all families asking for donations of extra clothing and snacks


VIII. Treasurer’s Report - Jason Gutting
     A. Monthly bank account statements distributed for review - must be reviewed and initialed by non-board member of PTO
     B. AIM Insurance
          1. Renewal form specifies bank statements must be reviewed monthly
          2. Renewal form specifies PTO books must be annually reviewed by a qualified accountant; discussed finding an accountant to donate their time for the review; Jason to research how much time needed for review
          3. Insurance premium has increased due to bond cost
     C. Startup Costs and Enrichment Grants - nearly everyone has submitted reimbursement
     D. Current year spreadsheet
          1. Box Tops - submit 2X/yr; most recently received check for $509.08
          2. Innisbrook - internet orders totaled $447.80
          3. MSU Family Events, Movie Morning, Popcorn, Spirit Wear - all generated expected revenue
          4. Expenses - all as expected with the exception of International Festival which had lower expenses than allocated
          5. Projected year-end balance - $5150.58
          a) Cuts are expected in next year’s budget; next year’s balance will likely be less than $5000
          b) If balance dips below $5000, service charge assessed of $10/month
          c) Discuss need for finding a different financial institution to avoid the monthly service charge
          d) Jason will prepare numbers to analyze for next year’s reductions
     E. Motion to increase PTO insurance from $240 to $400 by Kate Johnson, seconded by Jamie Baldwin. Motion carried.

IX. Parent Council - Rachel Gutting
     A. January is Board of Education appreciation month
     B. Board has been doing strategic planning and more will be reported in February; Board is considering 6 year terms
     C. MEAP scores will be available in February
     D. School budget talks will begin in late January
     E. Kinawa survey - results will be presented to the Board in February
     F. High School Commencement - may have a change in venue
     G. Bus Fleet - received 100% excellent rating from State Police Bus Inspection
     H. Money may be returned to fund balance; district lost fewer students than expected
     I. Parents encouraged to visit website for current budget information

X. New Business
     A. Storage Bin for playground equipment - propose 2 bins be used for all playground equipment
          1. One for lower grades to be stored in the north wing of the school; one for upper grades to be stored in the equipment closet near lunchroom
          2. Lunch supervisor will maintain all equipment
          3. Teachers may take bins out at recess
          4. Propose buying rolling cart - price range $175-$250
          5. Motion to approve up to $250 for rolling cart by June Hicks, seconded by Jamie Baldwin. Motion carried.
     B. Funding for decodable readers
          1. Surveyed all grades - first grade was only grade in need
          2. Motion to approve $825 for decodable readers for first grade by Tara Bogle, seconded by Kate Johnson. Motion carried.
     C. Library funding
          1. Lots of interest in recently purchased fiction books; still need for additional non-fiction books
          2. Propose parent/student involvement in selecting additional non-fiction books
          3. Motion for up to $500 additional funds for library (after startup costs exhausted) by June Hicks, seconded by Tara Bogle. Motion carried.
     D. Science Fair
          1. Setup will be Feb 14; event will be Feb 15
          2. Motion for $250 to purchase more science fair boards by June Hicks, seconded Tara Bogle. Motion carried.

XI. Committee Reports
     A. Enrichment Grants - unused monies going toward purchase of rewards for the Caught Being Good (CBG) program (see Principal’s Report)
     B. Family Fun Night - Jamie Baldwin/Tara Bogle
          1. General meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan 17, 7:00pm
          2. Discussion will focus on all aspects, including:
          a) Game/prize structure
          b) Parent input on games
          c) Class projects
          d) Need for co-chairs
     C. Festival of Trees - Tara Bogle
          1. Sold 15 tickets for the event
          2. No other feedback has been provided from event organizers
     D. Market Day - Kate Johnson
          1. Flyer will be sent out monthly
          2. Suggest March proceeds go toward purchase of library books
     E. Scrip - June Hicks
          1. Flyer going home Jan 13; orders are placed monthly
          2. Currently gift card pickup is coordinated with Market Day pickup, but considering an alternate system
          3. Discussed ways to get teachers and parents to increase participation
     F. Roller Skating - Tammy Deppong - scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 31 in combination with Bennett Woods

XII. Old Business - none

XIII. Adjournment (9:08pm) - Motion to adjourn meeting made by Tara Bogle, seconded by Kate Johnson. Motion carried.