Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Board of Directors Meeting --- May , 2008

PTSA BoD Meeting - May 12, 2008

Facilitator: Dave Ottalini 
Time Keeper:  Bob Gillette
Recorder: Debra Reed-Gillette
Dave called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.

The minutes for the February and March BoD meetings were approved as corrected by Carol Smalls.

Treasurer’s Report:  Nancy announced that the paper work had been submitted and approved for registration as a charity and as a non-profit organization as required by the National and State PTSA.  After Prom had requested an additional $1000 to cover costs.  We also have enough money in the accounts from Painless Fundraising to again grant seed money to the academies to help with purchasing needed materials to get the academies started.  The academies are not funded by the Board of Ed so still need help in getting the programs up and running. The money provided by the PTSA last year was used to organize the academy fair with speakers and displays.  The total outlay would be $6000 for the 5 academies and the 9th grade academy.  The motions for AfterProm and the academies was approved and will be brought before the membership at the next meeting to be voted upon.

Volunteers:  Beth Martin on behalf of the Blair Volunteer Parents Program of the MBHS PTSA received a check for $1000 at the Champion for Children’s Dinner. Congratulations to Beth for all she does to coordinate this large co-hort of volunteers.  A letter from the County Council, Nancy Floreen, was received in recognition of the work done.

Painless FundRaising:  Carol reported that Safeway is now beginning its summer marketing program.  Be on the lookout for email talking about this program from eScrip and Carol.  This is separate from the Safeway eScrip rebate that is done during the school year.

The slate for officers has been completed.  Outstanding seats will/can be nominated from the floor.  The only outstanding issue is that Pete Lafen who will run as PTSA co-president still needs to find a replacement for himself as cluster coordinator.  The list will be voted on at the membership meeting  in May.

A meeting will be set up with Jennifer Kempf and the academy lisaisons to make sure everyone knows how they can best help the academies for 9th grade, 12th grade and the academies.  It was discussed whether or not we need 10th grade and 11th grade liaisons. 

Mr. Williams will discuss the budget cuts and their affect on staff cuts at the May PTSA meeting.

Monday night at 7pm, Ike Legget will be at Indian Spring Rec Center to also discuss the county budget.

Water Fountain Update:  The PTSA paid $2500 to have the water fountain installed.  To date it has not happened and the cost is estimated to be $9000.  Dave will contact the administration to either get it installed or get the money back for the PTSA.  The money would then be used for mini-grants. 

Blair Education Foundation:  The outstanding CD in the BEF will be put pact into the PTSA as funds.  This CD has matured at $8000.  The BEF is the defunct foundation that had been organized to help with educational activities at Blair and modeled after a similar foundation at BCC. 

ASC – Academic Steering Committee:  This committee is concerned with first identifying and then targeting students for intervention for the HSA tests.  There have been problems finding enough staff to cover the modified HSA test for those students identified as needing accommodations.  The accommodation/modified test must be given by a state accredited teacher.  At this time it is believed that all students have been identified and all interventions were in place.  The final meeting was last month.  Getting students to attend after school intervention sessions was not successful.  Most of those students have jobs/other responsibilities after school hours.  The most successful intervention time has been over lunch.  More incentives will be needed next year as the administration used all of Blair’s discretionary money for the HSA incentives program.  It was suggested that next year we try serving pupusas, instead of pizza because they are less expensive.

AFG – Accreditation for Growth:  The final rating has not been received by the school, but since the preliminary report in December recommended approval with no revisions no issues are anticipated.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.