Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Executive Committee Meeting --- July 31, 2006

Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

July 31, 2006

Present:  Beth Martin, Linda Willmott, Jo Peng, Dave Ottalini, Deborah Stoll, Debbie Reed-Gillette, Carol Smalls, Eric Hysen, Anne Kaiser, Barbara Tobias, Diane Martin, Nancy Newton, Diana Vidutis, Miriam Szapiro, Howard Kohn, Ray Scannell, George Slenkovich, Bonnie Malkin

Facilitator:  Deborah Stoll

Time Keeper:  Dave Ottalini

Recorder:  Debra Reed-Gillette

The meeting was called to order by Deborah Stoll at 7:40 pm.  Deborah welcomed all present and adjustments to the agenda were made.  It was pointed out that many of those on the Executive Board are parents of seniors, so all members need to recruit all year!

Deborah and Dave have been meeting with the ILT (Instructional Leadership Team) which consists of Mr. Gainous, department chairs, SGA, PTSA, and APs.  They meet almost weekly.

Budget:

The single largest agenda item is the budget.  Most of the evening was spent discussing last years and next year’s budget items.  Current balance is approximately $26,000:

  1. Water Fountain:  PTSA paid for the water fountain, but the school and MCPS have been unable to get a contractor to install it.  Mr. Funk, the new business manager has put out a work order to have it done in-house (MCPS).  The PTSA will need to keep on top of this or request the money back, as we had many donors who earmarked funds for the water fountain.
  2. Parent Outreach:  Used to recruit Latino Parents
  3. Funding for eScrip:  Carol Smalls requested that the PTSA request from Mr. Gainous that the eScrip funds come to the PTSA instead of the school, as she will now be managing and monitoring and recruiting for Safeway enrollment and eScrip updates.  Carol will also be managing programs with Giant, Food Lion, and Snider’s.  Safeway and Snider’s funds can come directly to the PTSA instead of the school.
  4. Susan Madden requested that PTSA help to fund the international flags which will be hung along Blair Blvd.  It was suggested that she put the request in as a mini-grant.
  5. Reaching at risk kids – money is needed for support, outreach, counseling, etc.
  6. Field Maintenance – will money be requested from the PTSA for this?
  7. The school is moving toward digital photography – also should be submitted as a mini-grant to purchase MACS, Digital SLR cameras, etc.
  8. It was decided that mini-grants funds should be raised to $10,000 as this money directly reaches the classrooms and the kids.
  9. SGA Academic Support Proposal --- SGA requested $700-$1000 to start up their academic support program.  The proposal (attached) was met with positive comments and support
  10. Academic Achievement of Students – has mostly gone for senior awards.  This needs better coordination within the school because of the large number of students who did not receive notification in time for the ceremony.
  11. Dr. Coleman, AP:  responsible for coordinating Senior Awards, HSAs, calculator rental, snacks/refreshments during HSAs – line item for $500
  12. It was reported by Barbara that if the Blazer format changes it may require additional funding.
  13. Computer Giveaway line item
  14. Joe Bellino, ESOL head and Silver International advisor, requested $900 for printing 1 issue.  Increase line item.
  15. Reflections PTSA Art Contest
  16. Blair Beautification – Charlie Garlow – for bulbs, mulch, etc.
  17. Budget Revenues – Membership, Fundraising, eScrip, Sniders, Silent Auction, Citrus Sales, El Golfo nights (2?)
  18. Silent Auction will remain for this year the same format, but we will request all mini-grant recipients to present SOMETHING to show what they did with the money:  poster, presentation, information session, etc.  Silent Auction needs better coordination with the Mr./Ms Blazer competition.  Blair Fair needs more clubs to participate.  Perhaps a “carnival” atmosphere could be created.
  19. We need to recruit an After Prom Committee (not necessarily a Chair).
  20. Carol Smalls suggested that we attempt to enroll BLAIR in the Box Tops for Education program as Blair Cluster to be able to participate; this program currently only allows schools with any K-8 grades to participate (all Cluster schools except the high school are already eligible, so enrolling the Blair Cluster, which is K-12, would satisfy the eligibility requirements, and then the money earned could pass thru the Cluster checking account to go directly to Blair).  It was suggested she speak with Cluster Coordinator Pete Lafen to see what he thought about this idea.  Ray also thought that maybe Blair could partner with NHE/OV elementary and run a Box Tops for Education program at Blair, with Blair and NHE/OV dividing the proceeds. 
  21. Other payment methods for dues on-line were discussed, are needed.  Barry Johnson will present available options on August 29 to include Network for Good, Memberize, and Acteva.  He will be speaking with Ms Franklin the financial secretary.

Other business:

Graduation Venue:  Jericho City of Praise is not permitted for graduation by MCPS.  No official letter has been received by Deborah or Dave stating this, but we are permitted to rent the Comcast Center if we pay the approximate $30,000 difference in price and MCPS approves our plan for payment.  An attorney (Gene Schaerr?) is interested in taking this on.  A letter will be sent to BOE and County Council asking for an appeal and a follow-up will be made by phone.

Athletic Concerns:

Fields/Scheduling:  Several incidents have happened with the fields this spring including the CYO “riot”, the only field to be rained out in the county, and the lights turning off in the middle of a game.  Issues need to be resolved regarding repairs to the fields because with the fields locked due to scheduling, no repairs can be made.   Scheduling is between Park & Planning and Blair and no one seems to have a master calendar.  There remain issues between who does field improvements (capital improvements) and maintenance.  P&P met with Jim Funk about the use of the fields.  They have agreed to create a master schedule.

Athletic Student Contract:  Athletic contract/drug policy is in revision, still . . .

BSA:  Extended as a rec department program.  Where is the tutoring???  Melanie (program director) will work with Blair to get tutoring.  Avenues are teachers, interns, and getting a full-time academic coordinator for BSA.  Another issue is getting girls involved with the program.

Membership:  Forms have been revised and are being translated and placed in the Parent Handbook.  9/7 is BTSN and Spanish speaking volunteers are needed to recruit Latino parents into the PTSA.  Carol Smalls suggested we add several lines to the form for Grocery Card #s so she can just enroll them in the programs.  There is no list of volunteer jobs on the form, as most volunteers were recruited via the listserve.

Counseling/Advisory :  3 meetings for Jr/Sr parents have all been scheduled for Tuesday evenings.  It will be requested that they move them to Thursday evenings so as not to conflict with PTSA meetings.  They hope to connect students to colleges with money, and make college applications a priority for more students.

Communications:  A master calendar of all school activities will be maintained by someone in the front office.

Program Planning:  It has been requested that another Gang Awareness Program be presented at a 2006-2007 PTSA meeting.

At Risk Kids:  A grant was submitted to obtain $25,000 to start a mentoring program for at risk kids.  This would be different from the SGA and BSA programs.

Other Business:  Four portables will be removed from Blair due to lower enrollment.

Reminders:  The Staff Appreciation Breakfast will be on 8/25.