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General Membership Meeting Minutes>
Sep 03, 2008
Sep 7, 2008 --
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 03, 2008
8:30am
School Cafeteria
President Lisa Kauffman called the meeting to order at 8:40am. Board Officers present: Nely Martinez, Floriana Martinez, Tim Orrange, Monica Duran, and Tony Anderson. Bruce Barham was absent due to business trip. Principal Carmen Garcia and Assistant Principal Barbara Garcia were also present.
Agenda item #1 – Welcome – Lisa Kauffman, President
- Welcomed the parents present on behalf of PTA Board.
- Overview of purpose of PTA and its fundraising endeavors.
- Thanked the different committees that worked hard last year.
- Introduced the members of the board:
o First Vice President, Bruce Barham
o Second Vice President, Nely Martinez
o Third Vice President, Floriana Martinez
o Treasurer, Tim Orrange
o Recording Secretary, Monica Duran
o Corresponding Secretary, Toni Anderson
Agenda item # 2 – Overview of Upcoming Events – Nely Martinez and Amanda Kleidermacher (Special events Chair)
- Book Fair
- Spanish Heritage
- International Food Festival, October 17th, 2008
o Carolyn West agreed to organize the International Passport game for the children during IFF.
o April Bolet reminded parents that there are twelve booths in need of volunteers
- Earth Day – Suzie Sponder
- Black History Month
- Teacher appreciation Week
- Catalogue Sales is currently delayed, info coming soon
- Brazil Independence – students will wear yellow & green for $1.00 donation to the Portuguese program – Ms. Cortezia sponsors.
- President Lisa Kauffman introduced the various special committee chairs
Agenda item # 3 – Treasurer’s Report – Tim Orrange
- Ada Merritt PTA’s three bank accounts are being consolidated into one
- Currently working on the implementation of a deposit system
Agenda item #4 – Membership – Floriana Martinez
- Almost 150 members, prior to membership drive even starting
- Drive to start in 10 days approximately
- New incentive for children this year: A Day with the Stars (movie & popcorn, etc), not decided yet
Agenda item # 5 – 2008-2009 PTA Budget Review and Vote – Lisa Kauffman
- 142 K in expected income
- Explanation that PTA spends the money, as well as detailed explanation of item in budget:
o Total expenses: 75%
o Student Recognition: 11%
o Teacher/Staff/Parents: 10%
o Administration: 5%
- Proposed expense are based on income raised
- Incremental after school music program: instruments and attachments were bought and are being used by students; 4th and 5th graders will study strings
- Summer Reading: figures in budget represent amounts of bills being carried over from last year to this year’s budget; last year’s budget closed on June 30, 2008.
- Carolyn West: Scholarship for trips?
o Based on academic achievement
o Process involves presenting application and tax returns to prove need
- Carolyn West: What about Portuguese and Non-IS Students? Consider broadening the scope of field trips available to all Ada Merritt students?
- Ana Luisa Belezia: Would PTA consider fundraising events for 5th grade graduation?
PTA did contribute last year toward 5th graders’ graduation trip
- Carolyn West: proposes that membership and board approval should vote on a particular policy, and a plan must be presented for that
- FCAT: $1.25 cost per medal awarded
- Suzie Sponder: expressed disapproval of money spent on FCAT award medals
- Judy Schaechter questioned the emphasis placed on student awards in general
- By show of hands: park FCAT aside and let administration redesign recognition
- Issue: is the whole line of student awards the problem or just the FCAT line?
o Suzie presented the motion to hold the recognition item until further revision and planning. All in favor.
- Teacher grants goes directly back to the classrooms in the form of books, furniture, programs
- Principal Garcia: Smart Board in Media Center was bought with the money the school got from the K-8 Center conversion, as well as the 24-25 computers in the Media Center.
- Teacher grants will cover lack of educational software in Portuguese such as Brain Pop.
- Book Fair, the item includes amount carried over from last May and will be paid with surplus.
- PTA Conventions, PTA members assisted during the summer and got extraordinary training and info on resources and procedures.
- Recycling program is up and running, inform teachers.
- President Lisa Kauffman clarified that the numbers shown in expenses reflect the numbers upon closing date of June 30, 2008. There is still a box of papers that includes unpaid bills. Everything will be sorted out.
- Carolyn West: Motion to approve the budget with the inclusion of the following two asterisks:
o Scholarship money
o Student awards money
- Suzie Sponder seconds the motion. No one against it. The Budget is approved.
Agenda item # 6 – Principal’s Report – Principal Carmen Garcia
- Ada Merritt is an IS, IBO, Dual Language, and an A school.
- This year Ada Merritt will receive its re-authorization visit for PYP
- Currently the school is in candidacy for the MYP, and we will also get consulting services to help us work towards MYP certification.
- The MYP authorization visit will take place next year.
- Ada Merritt was not that affected by district wide budget cuts. We did get 2 new PE teachers, and Ms. Gunckel will stay at the school but not teach PE.
- Open House will be on Tuesday 9/9 at 5:30 for classroom visits, and booths from 4:30 - 5:30
- Electronic grade book is not yet online, should be soon
- There is big change to afterschool program in that people don't have to enroll in after care to participate in the classes being offered. A schedule was distributed.
- Student Council elections will take place shortly for 6/7th grades.
- Student of the Month will now be an afternoon celebration at 1:15 in the cafeteria, monthly.
- Park security update: no incidents
Motion to Adjourn by Tim Orrange, with a second, and all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 am.
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