St. Brendan’s PTO Board Meeting

May 2005 Minutes

 

 

 

Attendees:   Margie Schmutz, Monica Carlin, Julia Walters-Burns, Liz Kieffer, Mary Jane Fatigati, Arlene Sullivan, Raelyn Colleran, Brenda Roberts, Geetha Beauchamp, Tim Kennedy, Kate O’Brien-Rourke, Judy Maccarone, Lisa McCole, Sally Sonnen, Joan McIntosh, Tricia Corbin, and Maria Perez-Torkildson.

 

The Board, Committee Chairs, School Function and Enrichment Coordinators met in the teacher’s lounge.  Margie and Monica called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.  Mrs. Sullivan led all present in prayer, “A Prayer of Compassion”.

 

The Meeting Minutes from February were reviewed and approved.

 

REPORTS

 

Principal’s Report (A. Sullivan) – The first 7th grade Student Recognition Ceremony was held at St. James Cathedral.  The ceremony was sponsored by local Catholic High schools with more than 240 people in attendance.  The 7th grade students, chosen by their peers and staff, demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills.  Five students from St. Brendan were recognized for their leadership skills and qualities.

 

The Catholic Women’s Convocation was held at the Washington State Convention Center.  “Uprising of Hope” was the theme with approximately 2500 in attendance.

 

The Spring Concert will be conducted by Dr. Brown who is filling in for Betty Lou Ludwig.

 

All April hours must be turned in by May 20th; assistance was requested in stressing this point to the school parents.

 

It was discussed that some parents have expressed concern about counting the middle back seat in cars that do not have a shoulder strap, for children under 60#, when reporting carpool seating for field trips.  It was suggested that it be stated in the bulletin that this is a safety issue and should be taken into consideration when completing field trip forms.

 

 

Past President’s Report (J. Walters-Burns) – Discernment Day - All School Commission members are encouraged to participate in the discernment process on May 14th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the church. Karen introduced Sharon Hooper, who is new
 to the parish and will be discerning for School Commission for the parish position.
 
Budget - Tuition will increase 6%.  We would go to our reserve before we increased it more.  Teacher's salaries will remain at 95% of the State schedule, which allows for at least a cost of living increase for 2005-2006.
 
Alumni Brunch - The brunch is this Saturday, April 23rd at the Prime Hotel (formerly the Wyndham Hotel).  Next year Development is planning on moving the Alumni Brunch to the school/church campus.
 
First Communion - This sacrament will be held on May 8th for the 2nd graders and the school celebration will be held in the church on May 11th at 9:15 am.
 
Development Report - Arlene reported that Julie Smith has moved to Seattle and leaving St. Brendan School so Eileen West has agreed to be the chairperson for Development for the next school year.  John Pendergast will do the Annual Appeal again.  Serena will continue maintaining the database.  Pete Grosvenor will be the Recorder.  Sandy Moran is considering going to Development.
 
Spring Concert - Development will host a reception with cookies and punch served after the concert.
 
Compliance/Tracking Letters - The spring letter went out on April 6th to all the school families with their commitment status for
this school year.   

 

 

Treasurer’s Report (M. Fatigati) – Auction 2005 netted approx. $75,000.  The PTO budget of $155,000 has been under spent with a surplus remaining of $23,000 compared to last year’s budget of $152,000 with a surplus of $18-19,000.  Memory Book collections increased by $1000 and the Jr. High play made a profit of $617.  It was suggested if any committees needed to replenish supplies etc. they should buy now and utilize the surplus finds.

In addition, if any committees had outstanding receipts to turn in for reimbursements this should be done by the end of May so the books could be closed for the year.

 

The following budget issues were expressed:

§         An increase of $250 in playground funds need to be made so equipment can be replenished mid–year.  Next years increase will be spent now with surplus funds.

§         Technology will need $30,000 in two years for the purchase of replacement computers for the Computer Lab.  Cash will be placed in reserve to fund this need.

§         Memory Book was given approval to buy a $300 educational bundle of Adobe software to process digital

        images.

Fundraisers:

 

Auction (L. Kieffer) – In last week’s bulletin, the new location, date and theme for Auction 2006 was announced.  The Lynnwood Convention Center was chosen for the auction site and is comparatively priced to the Hyatt but has more square footage available.

 

Carpool (M. Schmutz for J. Bodmer) – Established volunteers are needed for afternoon carpool.  Need two adults confirmed to work the afternoon carpool.

 

Hospitality (K. Rourke) – Latte day for the teacher’s was very popular at Christmas and will be added as an end- of- the- year event.

 

Hot Lunch (M. Schmutz for L.. Wygant and S. Iverson - Hot lunch is still looking for volunteers to chair.  A survey will be sent to parents to get suggestions for next years program.  Mary Pat, My Favorite Caterer, is selling her business so there is a possibility that Tuesday may also become a vendor day.

 

**Amendment made by L. Wygant and S. Iverson - This year's system of smaller teams with team leaders worked well when all volunteers were present.  The issue with volunteers not arriving on time, or in some cases, not at all, however remains a concern for the continuing success of the program.  The food provided by Subway and Uncle Peteza was always on time and accurate.  There continued to be some problems with timeliness and accuracy with My Favorite Caterer, but food was eventually delivered to school and provided to those students who ordered.

The current system provides the framework for an excellent lunch program.  However, the amount of work to be shared between the co-chairs combined with the lack of authority to hold any volunteers accountable makes it extremely difficult and unfair for anyone to assume these roles.  Therefore, it is suggested that this program be re-evaluated.  It may be time to look at an outside company to come in and provide lunches.

 Membership (B. Roberts) -  New Buddy volunteers have been contacted and are in the process of calling new families regarding Information Night.  Good attendance is expected. 

 

Memory Book (R. Colleran) – The back cover did not receive any bids at the auction and so will be offered to the second to last bidder for the front cover at 1/2 price.

 

Parish Publicity (M. Torkildson) – Will continue to publish schools items over the summer.

 

Room Parents (M. Schmutz for K. Foley) – New coordinator is needed.  Kim Foley is stepping down.  The detailed position will be placed in a future bulletin.

 

Sally Foster (S. Sonnen and L. McCole) – Have met with the out-going chairs and will also meet with the chairs from Assumption, Assumption has a very successful program, to gain new ideas.

 

Scrip (S. Sonnen and L. McCole) – Michelle Ryan and Diane Munko will chair Scrip next year.  This year, Scrip is hoping to write a check to PTO for $17,500.

 

Technology (M. ) – Library Patron computer hardware has been upgraded.

 

Twelve old computers were prepped for Mr. Alore to send to Chile.

 

Verizon DSL is working well.  Still need to budget for a spam filter program; Cari Carlson is evaluating products for this.

 

This summer, work will be done on the server to move completely off of old hardware.

 

Volunteer Coordinator (G. Beauchamp) –   Cyn Curango will still input the monthly hours.

 

School Play (J. Walters-Burn)  - The Jr. High play dates, April 6 and 7, 2006, have been reserved at the Everett PUD.  A handbook ‘How to run the Jr. High Play’ is in draft form using integrated scheduling.  Julie Smith will confirm with Marcia Stueckle, Play Director, her availability for next year.  It was suggested a contract be developed for the Director’s Fee based upon initial payment of 50% paid and the remaining fee paid the night of the last performance.

 

Flyers will be distributed to the 7th grade parents asking for volunteers to chair the play.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Readerboard – The school has been working in conjunction with the Parish staff to develop signage that will be consistent between the school and parish.  The reader board will replace in location the current sign outside the school office and will stand approx. one foot off of the ground.

 

PTO  Meeting – The meeting time has been approved for change to the 2nd Thursday of each month beginning in September.

 

Phone Tree – A new coordinator is needed and a volunteer will be requested in the next bulletin.  The phone tree will need to be updated at the beginning of September.

 

Margie and Monica adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Liz Kieffer

 

** Please note  ‘Amendment to Hot Lunch’ was received by the meeting chairs; these notes were not discussed at the meeting.