President Lisa Kauffman called the meeting to order at 8:35am.Board Officers present: Lina Spalding-Ramsay, Bruce Barham, Amanda Kleidermacher, Deanna Christensen, Tim Orrange and Mary Porges.36 attendees.
Agenda item #1– Welcome – Lisa Kauffman
-Lisa welcomed all members and introduced special guest speaker Victor Alonso, Administrative Director of Design for Miami Dade County Public Schools, who will speak about upgrades to the park next to AMK8.
Agenda item # 2 – Approve November General Membership Meeting Minutes – Mary Porges
-Distributed minutes to members, Judy Scheater motioned to approve minutes, Ron Kauffman seconded, all (36) approved
-1,200 square foot metal aluminum shelter with storage area near playground will be built, will have electrical outlets
-Construction will start this summer and completed in the fall, George Rodriguez is Project Manager, jorgerodriquez@dadeschools.net, 305-995-4862 / 786-402-3001, one year warranty on construction
-$342,000 budget from School Board, looking for architect
-School will pay for some items, happy to meet with school
-Drawings will be available in May 2010
-Will address plans for electrical access (needed for AMK8 festivals)
-School will have use during school hours, open to public during non-school hours, Parks and Recreation Department will maintain and clean, school is to report any vandalism
-Partnership with City, agreement will be made public and available
-Nely Martinez asked if engineering work can be donated, conversation will be taken off-line with Ms. Garcia and Mr. Alonso, Nely will be point person for progress
-Rendering not ready but scope will be available
-3-4 months to find architect, by May 2010 will have drawings, will be on website
-Book sales grossed $14,637, IFF $1,279 short of budget projection
Agenda item # 5 – Financial Update – Tim Orrange
-Distributed November 2009 Statement
-If anyone needs 3 service hours this Saturday there will be a beach restoration project, contact Tim if interested in participating
Agenda item # 6 – Principal Garcia’s Update
-December calendar will be available very soon; today is the Science Fair exhibit; IS writing contest is this Thursday at the Spanish Consulate; still need feedback for 5th and 8th Grade field trips; there is a new volunteer policy that is online, there have been problems with the website, monthly calendar will have instructions, once application is complete you must bring drivers license to school;there was a incident where a middle school student brought marijuana to school and there have been kissing incidents, school will address with various assemblies targeted to the appropriate Grade level to address school policy, infractions on a student’s record could involve a policy report and acceptance to a high school of choice, administration will emphasize making choices and the consequences of those actions, school is very well monitored
Agenda item # 7 – Other
-Ben Cruz – Electronic recycling program underway, we get paid by the pound, box in the office, even batteries are acceptable
-Lina Spalding-Ramsay – 243 PTA members (340 last year), need room parents to talk it up and be visible
-Carolyn West will chair peanut policy clarification committee
-Judy Scheater – Gates Foundation donated $1 million to National PTA, Florida will get funds
