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General Membership Meeting Minutes Archive>
January 4th, 2009
Feb 4, 2009 --
President Lisa Kauffman called the meeting to order at 8:40am. Board Officers present: Floriana Martinez, Tim Orrange, Amanda Kleidermacher, Bruce Barham, Mary Porges, and Toni Anderson.
Agenda item #1 – Welcome – Lisa Kauffman
- PTA needs to determine purpose of money to be raised by Gala event in March. Options are to repair grass area in courtyard where children are taken for recess or purchase and installation of smart boards.
Agenda item # 2 – Smart Board Demonstration – Principal Garcia and Middle School Teachers
- Currently middle school (6 & 7 Grades) is equipped with smart boards. Immediate goal is to equip 5th Grades classrooms.
- Teachers offered the following insights – use of Smart Boards depict a colorful and sharp lesson, better control of classroom environment, efficient, saves time, interactive with the kids, motivational, exposure to technology, tied to internet, allows different applications (Brain Pop, PowerPoint, etc.). fun and creative allowing for pictures and diagrams, kids use Smart Boards to present projects, media and art rooms have Smart Boards, shows video, lessons can be saved and printed, makes studying real using internet tools and real life news, etc.
- Average cost is about $4,000 for each Smart Board (includes equipment and installation)
Agenda item # 3 – Treasurer’s Report – Tim Orrange
- Distributed budget and discussed the fact we are $4,000 out of balance
- Need more revenue
Agenda item # 4 – Courtyard Artificial Grass Options – Ruth Santos
- Dust problems and drainage issues, area of immediate concern is outside of office with tree (approximately 2,500 sq feet
- Will need to schedule in-depth presentation from “grass” vendors
- Distributed and reviewed preliminary proposals from 4 different vendors
- Process to install would take 3-4 days
- Leaning towards EasyGrass vendor because they are a local company and most reasonable. Cost would be around $16,000 to cover immediate concern area.
- All children would benefit if this option were chosen
- Ben Cruz motioned for emergency meeting with artificial grass vendors; Susie Sponder seconded motion.
Agenda item # 5 – Gala Update – Floriana Martinez and Amanda Kleidermacher
- Night in the Jungle theme
- Gala date set for Friday March 13th at Jungle Island, tickets $50
- Need volunteers for auction set up
- Need items for auction
Agenda item # 6 – Black History Month Events Update – Charesse Chester
- Last year “bus museum” cost $1,000
- Current allocation is $500 for events and committee will probably raise about $500
- Committee is proposing to bring in Barrington Irving for 2 assemblies (youngest African American to fly solo around the world) but the cost will be $2,500
- Motion by Barbara and seconded by Tim Orrange for PTA to fund difference of $1,500 to facilitate 2 assemblies featuring Barrington Irving
Agenda item # 7 – Principal’s Report – Principal Carmen Garcia
- Due to budget cuts Ada Merritt lost Vice Principal Koch
- Dade County Schools have a $80 million short fall
- Several meeting with City regarding park next door – several upgrades in the works such as a new shed and fencing, more meetings planned
- Upcoming meetings / presentations – January 30th Science Meeting, February 5th PYP Meeting, January 27th Spelling Bee, NEPT test for 4th Graders
Agenda item # 8 – Other
- SIPA Meeting today at 7 pm
- Dade County PTA rally today between 3-7pm, there will be phone banks to call legislators
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 am.
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