St. Brendan’s PTO Board Meeting
April 25, 2002 Minutes

Attendees:       Denise & Jeff Fong, Julia Walters-Burns, Jan Replogle, Joan McIntosh,

                        Tina Ferguson, Lucinda Blakeley, Kim Kramer, Sally Sonnen, Sue Proulx

                        Don Clark, Maria Perez-Torkildson, Nadia Larson

Teacher Representatives:  Mrs. Babb, Mrs. Mayer

The Board, Committee Chairs, School Function & Enrichment Coordinators met in the teacher’s Lounge.   Denise Fong called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.  Denise Fong led all those present in a prayer. 

Meeting Minutes Approval  --

Minutes of the March 21, 2002 meeting were approved as written

Vice President Report (J & T Burns) – The St. Brendan School Commission meeting was held on April 17, 2002.  Topics discussed were as follows:

School Budget Review – The school budget was reviewed.  A dollar increase from PTO to the school budget is expected. 

Development   $32,000 was pledged.  Twenty-six school families did not participate.  To increase participation, the Development Committee will emphasize education/publicity regarding allocation of funds for next year.  For the 2002-2003 school year, 60% of the funds are to be allocated to the Endowment Fund and 40% to the Father Mike Schmidt Tuition Assistance Fund.  Based on the local economy, it is anticipated that requests for tuition assistance will increase.

Accreditation Process – As noted in previous reports, the Accreditation process beings next year for St. Brendan Parish School.

Principals Report -  Mrs. Sullivan visited New York City in April.  Emergency Preparedness was primary in light of the September 11th events and the visit to the former World Trade Center site.  The Fourth Grade class dedicated their letters to the President to the New York City Police and Fire Fighters.  Mrs. Sullivan presented a copy of this to a group of firefighters at the World Trade Center site.

 

Extended Care Proposal  – The Extended Care Proposal was presented to the School Commission.  A special meeting of the School Commission to discuss the proposal and written materials is to be convened on May 8, 2002. 

Treasurer Report (J Replogle) – Please see also New Business, Discussion of Budget 2002-2003.

The St. Brendan PTO Financial Statement for the period ending April 23, 2002 was distributed (attached to the minutes).

Monthly Treasury Activity Report:

      -     Highlights – All accounts balanced normally.

-     Money Market Account – No activity.

-           Archdiocesan Revolving Funds “Committed Funds”:

(Money set aside for construction)  We are awaiting the purchase of a Floor Cleaner.  PTO is paying approximately $1250 or ½ of the $2500 total.

-           Checking Account – Account balances normally.  Minimal expenses for this reporting period.

-           Other Items

1.       Most receipts from Auction 2002 have now been received.  Approximately $1400 remains in outstanding Visa receipts.

Budget (Continued)    

2.   The Balance sheet for year-end reporting and money available for disbursement has been delivered to the PTO Co-presidents for review with Mrs. Sullivan.

 

REPORTS

Fund Raisers:

Auction (T Bellevue/L Weldy)   Report via Jeff Fong.  This year’s auction is essentially wrapped up.   The synopsis meetings have been completed.  To date there are no Auction 2003 Chairpersons.

Box Tops (C Seib) – No report at this meeting.

Sallly Foster  (T Ferguson) – The Sally Foster Company sample was sent to school families.  The school receives a $250 credit.    Tina noted that the ice cream bars distributed by Principal-for-a-Day, Mr. Nash, were compliments of the Sally Foster Company.

Holiday Craft Fair (C Burgett/K Fugiel) – Someone has express interest in working as Chairperson for the next Holiday Craft Fair, although this is not yet confirmed.

Scrip (D Jennings/L Blakeley/C. Henderson )   The Uniform Store will not be on-site this spring.  For those who would like to purchase Scrip for the Uniform Store, please contact Lucinda and this will be ordered.  Large dollar amounts of Uniform Store scrip are not routinely kept on hand.

Additional opportunities for Scrip are available.  Scrip has received approval to 1) sell scrip before the Spring Concert, and 2) trial selling Scrip before carpool from a location near the library doors.  The time is before carpool on two Fridays, 2:15pm to 2:55pm.  3) Scrip is planning to add another weekend of sales each month during the summer.  

Committees: 

Clinic (D Heye/J Smith) – No report at this meeting.

Hot Lunch (K Kramer/J Maccarrone) – See Old Business below for the Hot Lunch report.
Improvements (R Palukus) – No report at this meeting.

Library (S Sonnen)  -- Sally announced that Gillian Baldwin will be the Library Volunteer Coordinator for next year.

Membership (T Morrow)   Sally Sonnen will be with Membership for next year. 

Kindergarten and New Family Registration Information Night:  Sally reported that that the Kindergarten and New Family Registration Information Night was held on Thursday, April 18, 2001.  It was felt that this information night was beneficial and should be offered again next year.  Denise distributed copies of the School Bulletin.  Ideas for next year include bringing a school uniform, a school lunch form and a more intimate setting such as the library. 

Volunteer Buddies:  Volunteer “Buddies” have been assigned to each new family for the upcoming year.

Outreach (K Grosvenor) – No report at this meeting. 

Playground (C Jacoby) – No report at this meeting.

Room Parents (S Proulx/H Clancy) – No report at this meeting.

Volunteer Coordinator (G Beauchamp) – Reported by Denise Fong. 

2002-2003 Volunteer Commitment Forms:  Geetha is approximately half-way through the volunteer Commitment Forms.  Geetha is beginning with the committee chairpersons and will finalize the committees after that.  This process is requiring more time this year as data is entered into the new database.

Grant Writer (D Rowe) – No report at this meeting.

School Functions:

Calendar (D & T Clark)  The Memory Book has been submitted.  This book is scheduled to be available by the 8th grade graduation.  Question re: continuing the Memory Book.  Obtaining pictures for the Memory Book is the greatest challenge.  Suggestion to discuss continuing or discontinuing the Memory Book at a future meeting.

Emergency Preparedness (D Bylsma)  No report at this meeting.  Still need a chairperson for this school function.

Family Nights (J Bodmer/B Maxwell)  The Family Night Spring Dance is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2002.   Announcements are in the weekly bulletins.

Hospitality (D Loutsis/T Lambert )  No report at this meeting.

Milk (K Feeney) – No report at this meeting. 

Parish Publicity (M Perez-Torkildson) – “On-going.”

School Photography (J Jacoby) – No report at this meeting. 

Uniform Exchange & Lost and Found(S Moran) – Reported by Denise Fong.  A Uniform Exchange is to take place before the end of the school year on a date to be announced.

 

Enrichment:             

Art Docent (N Larson) – Nadia announced that Tricia Corbin is the new Art Docent Coordinator. 

Mary Jane Blair is the Art Supplies Coordinator.

Jr. High Play (N Santiago) No report at this meeting. 

Speech (G Bylsma)  No report at this meeting. 

Young Authors (E Morris/L Scheuer)    No report at this meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

PTO Nominations for 2002- 2003 – S. Proulx announced that nominations have been accepted for

PTO Board functions, with the exception of one position.   The Nominating Committee is planning to route ballots in the Wednesday Communication envelope within the next one or two weeks.

Extended Care or Enrichment Programs:  Proposal for an Extended Care Program, see Vice President’s report above.

Hot Lunch Update: Report presented by K. Kramer.  Challenges and opportunities re: the possibility of new weekly hot lunch providers was discussed with Mrs. Sullivan.  Issues include but are not limited to, the kitchen, scheduling the gym or storage of food delivery carts.  Kim & Judy were asked to further investigate the logistics and details for weekly vendors.  Please send ideas for  once-a-week vendors to Kim or Judy while the weekly providers concept is being researched.

NEW BUSINESS

Fund Raising Opportunity – Survey for a major grocery store, 12 consecutive days, fourteen hours a day, $12.50 per hour to survey. . .decided not to pursue this.

Budget 2002-2003 & Allocation of Funds – Jan presented the present budget and estimated dollars for disbursements; see Financial report for period ending 4/23/02. 

Obligations: 

               $8,775 P  & L by Job Overview

            $60,000  PTO Obligation to the School

               $2,000 Fr. Mike Schmidt Scholarship Fund

            $18,750  “Other School Budget Items”

            $24,900  PTO Program Budget

 

Disbursement Available is approximately $37,000 Consider:

 

Teachers’ Wish Lists – Many of the teachers did not spend the Wishlist monies from last year.  They were waiting to see what might be needed following the, much appreciated, school renovation.  This is $4850. 

The teachers have been asked to submit this year’s Wish List items.  Denise has received two to date.  In the course of discussing teacher needs, we learned that the printers in the classrooms are not working or are very, very slow. . .for example, 15-30 minutes per student report card.  We also learned that the laptops for use with the “In Focus” machine are not working.  The technology in the computer lab was updated with the school construction.  The technology in the classrooms is in great need of an update.  

 

Action:  Mrs. Babb and Mrs. Mayer were asked to talk with Mrs. Sullivan and the teachers to request the Teacher Wishlists and a Wishlist for classroom technology, especially printers.  The computer wishlist is to be coordinated through Miss Constantino and the Technology Committee to ensure compatibility.  The timeline:  the request, recommendations and new printers before the end of the school year. 

Capital Improvements –

1)      Resurface Parking Lot -- Parish leadership is asking PTO for $50,000 to resurface the parking lot.  PTO would like to consider other options for this need.   Would like to meet to talk with John Meyer about money from the Annual Appeal, an “In-kind” donation, a capital improvement grant, PTO paying half and the Parish paying half.

Action:  Denise will follow-up with John Meyer

2)      Windows – Suggestion to begin a fund to replace the school windows for energy efficiency.  The estimate at the time of school construction was $150,000.  The windows were held at the time of the construction because they could be replaced at a later date without major demolition.  New windows would decrease energy use and make the classrooms more comfortable.

3)       Playground equipment – This year’s auction “Fund an Item” was new playground equipment.   $5,800 was raised.  Suggestion to match this amount to be able to purchase equipment.

 

Note:  PTO and Parish will contribute to scheduled improvements to the 4th Grade Portable Classroom this summer; painting the portable and providing a new carpet.

 

Fr. Mike Schmidt Tuition Assistance – Suggestion to increase the amount the PTO contributes to the Fr. Mike Schmidt Tuition Assistance Fund for this year.

 

Budget 2002-2003, Consider:

 

PTO Commitment – This is to be raised to $70,000 for next year.  The PTO would like to set up a system where the PTO increase was a smaller annual amount rather than a larger increase every three years or so.

 

Technology Fund – Suggestion to begin a technology fund.  The PTO would contribute to this fund annually.  Then the School technology needs could be met on an on-going basis rather than a greater sum at a time the PTO may not have the funds otherwise available.

 

PTO Programs and Accounts for 2002 – 2003 --  Need to verify the dollar amounts for PTO Programs and Accounts.  For example, per Nadia, the Art Docent budget could be decreased from $700 to about $250.  The $700 budget was a one time request  that has been carried forward. 

 

Action:  Denise will verify the dollar amounts for 2002-2003 with each PTO Program and Account Chairperson prior to the meeting of 5/9/02.

 

PTO General Fund – Suggestion to increase from $1000 to $2000.

 

In the course of these discussions, the question was asked re: the relationship of the “Technology Committee” to the PTO; especially since we are investing PTO dollars in the school based on their considerable expertise and recommendations. 

 

A motion was made to formalize the relationship between the PTO and Technology Committee.  Seconded and approved. 

Action:  Sally Sonnen and Denise Fong will work to formalize the relationship between these two groups.  Denise will invite a member of the technology committee to report  to the PTO meetings.

Budget 2002-2003 & Allocation of Funds(Continued)

Also during the discussion of capital improvements, it was noted that there are capital improvement grants available.  Grant writing is via Development; PTO has a person designated to work with Development for grants.  It was acknowledged that grant writing does require concerted effort.  It was suggested that there may be a group willing to work on grant writing efforts targeted at the above noted capital improvements. . .resurfacing the parking lot, replacing the windows, and upgrading the playground for example.

 

Action:  PTO leadership will review the Budget and Disbursements with Mrs. Sullivan prior to the PTO  meeting of May 9, 2002.  PTO is to make decisions re: the Budget and Disbursements at the May 9, 2002 PTO meeting.

 

Denise Fong adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Joan McIntosh

PTO Secretary