Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- September 15, 2009

Minutes for PTSA Members' Meeting
September 15, 2009
Media Center, 7:30 pm

Meeting was convened by Pete Lafen, PTSA president.

Note: Motions made and carried: see item VI. below.

1. 2009-2010 PTSA Budget Approval (Walter)
   1. In 2008-2009, we earned $10,000 less than we had budgeted earning.
   2. At Executive Committee meeting, we looked at cutting mini-grants and After Prom funding.
      • Mini-grants from $5,000 to $10,000.
      • After Prom: cut from $6,000 to $4,600.
   3. We owe the school about $10K - waiting for the final word as to whether we really owe this money.
   4. Discussion followed about the budget.


2. Principal's Report (Darryl Williams)
   1. National merit scholarships - more finalists this year than last.
   2. AYP: Cannot announce yet whether we made AYP this year.  If we make it this year, we are off the state's list.
   3. Enrollment: there is a discrepancy between the state count and our count.  2,789 - this is larger than we'd projected.
      • 800 freshmen, including CAP, Magnet and 2nd-year freshmen (33).
      • Still open to "preferred choice".
   4. Student Meetings: September 8th: met with every student.  Respect for learning.  Each other.  The building.
   5. Visitors: New Community Superintendent: Brenda ____; Steve Bedford; Chief Academic Officer.  Good feedback from the visitors.
   6. Back to School Night is Thursday, September 17, 2009.
   7. Freshman Orientation and Picnic: highly successful: full house at both.
   8. IDs: students no longer need to display IDs because the building is on lock down.
      • Looking at how to get more visitor parking.
   9. Staffing: under a "hard" hiring freeze but because we advertised positions prior to the freeze, we were able to make some hires.
      • Magnet Coordinator
      • Security Assistant (fully staffed with security)
      • Magnet Secretary is being advertised and we need to fill it
   10. Graduation:
       • Central office will fund Comcast only to $5,000.  (Comcast is about $50K-$60K).
       • Funding is for DAR.  This would allow about 3 tickets per family.
       • The Board of Ed does not support Jericho.
       • Senior class is going to have to make a decision.
       • Begin "lobbying" state officials.


3. Student Government Association (SGA) Update
   1. Blood drive: beat our goal and beat last year's record.
   2. Sold pizza for fundraising.
   3. BTSN: selling Blair Wear, pizza, etc.
   4. Friday, September 18th: Activity Fair
   5. Spirit Week
   6. Homecoming: Tailgate, game, dance


4. Parents Toolbox Presentation - Testing, Timing and Tools
   1. 1.This information is available on the Blair website.
   2. 2.October 14th is PSAT day
      • 9th Graders: take the PLAN
      • 10th Graders: take the PSAT (county pays for this)
      • 11th Graders: who do not pay for the PSAT, take a mock SAT test
      • 12th Graders: will participate in college/career readiness activities
   3. 3.Access to practice tests online (APs, GRE, SAT, etc.)


5. Committee Reports (Bob Gillette)
   1. MCCPTA
   2. Cluster
   3. Volunteers
   4. Athletic Boosters
   5. Membership/Fundraising
      • Twice as many members now as last year at this time.
      • Big push on back to school night.
   6. Nominating Committee
      • Tom Jacobson elected co-President
   7. Graduation Venue
      • See Mr. Williams' comments above
      • Only about 200 people responded to the survey
   8. Grade Level/Class Liaisons
   9. Citrus Sales (Annie Roland and Becky Smith)
      • Biggest fundraiser for Blair
   10. 75th Alumni
       • Weekend of October 16th and 17th
   11. Volunteers
       • Filled all the spots during the first week of school
       • Need volunteers for assisting with the Alumni committee


6. Motions Made and Carried
   1. Budget:
      • Restore after prom line item to full level ($6,000).
      • Restore student/staff activities items to appropriate levels.
      • Reduce mini-grant line accordingly (with the hope that this money will be raised by the end of 2009).  This will bring the mini-grant line item to a very low level.
      Motion made, seconded and voted for unanimously.
   2. Voting:
      • Tom Jacobson elected as co-President for Blair's PTSA
      Motion made, seconded and voted for unanimously.
   3. Adjourn
      • Motion made to adjourn the meeting.
      Motion made, seconded and voted for unanimously.