1. Meeting called to order at 7:04pm by President Kathy Smitherman.

 

2. All members were welcomed and introductions were made of the previous board members, the current board members, and the committee chairmen.

 

3. Kathy Smitherman stated the PTO’s purposes and goals for this year.  Our main purpose is to help teachers teach, help students learn, and help parents to get involved.  Two of our new goals this year are to encourage greater parent and teacher involvement in our PTO, and to provide 4 new benches for the front portico of the school. We will also be creating a Teachers’ Resource Library.

 

4. Mrs. Burns greeted the PTO and thanked everyone for their support and participation.  She also introduced the 7 staff members who were present.

 

5. Gigi Spory explained the importance of following the meeting’s agenda in order to keep our meetings as timely as possible.  Roberts Rules will be the guide for how we conduct the procedures of our meetings.

 

6. Treasurer’s Report was given by Gigi, and expenditures since last school year were explained.  Kelly Cooper made a motion to accept the report. It was seconded and approved. There was also an explanation about the change in the term of the cd. It will now come due on Feb 28, 2007.

 

7. An election for the position of Treasurer was held.  Congratulations to Teresa Pridmore, who won by a unanimous vote.

 

8. Committee Reports

 

• Entertainment Book Sale – The sale began on August 30, and as of this meeting 147 books had been sold.  Final numbers for the sale are not in yet.  We will be receiving $1,000 from the company for the absence of Ronald McDonald at the school assembly.
• Directory – The school directory will be finished by the end of the month.  We have sold 300 directories with 500 entries.
• Spirit Sales – We have sold 305 items, with a profit of $361.00.  We hope to have the items passed out the week of the book fair (Sept. 25). 
• Book Fair – Will be held September 25 – 29.  Kerry Scinta requested more volunteers especially for the time frames of 8:15 - 8:45am and 3:30–4:00pm.  There will be a teacher’s preview held on Friday, September 22, and Kerry requested that food be donated for them.  She also is asking for a Coffee Urn, which can be used during Doughnuts with Dad.  Family night will be on Thursday the 28th from 6-8pm.
• Get Smart With Art – Julie Weiss is working on adjusting the schedule and is training volunteers for the program.
• Auction – Will be held on November 11 from 6-10pm, this year’s theme is the Wild, Wild West.  Kathy Smitherman encouraged everyone to attend.  Sponsorship Committee has secured $3,400 in commitments so far.  Auction Committee meeting will be held on September 14 at 6:30pm in the Cafeteria.  A list of supplies needed for the auction was presented; items may be dropped off in the box in the foyer, or given to an auction committee member.  Auction tickets will be sold during the book fair on family night, September 28 from 6-8pm.  Those who know they will be attending the auction are requested to buy their tickets then.  Regular ticket sales will begin on October 25 before and after school, and during teacher conferences.  Tickets will be $20.00 per person, the same as last year.  Kathy requested volunteers for a Texas Hold-em night, and a Christmas Home Tour as items for the auction.

 

9. The 2006-07 PTO proposed budget was presented.  Questions were answered concerning Entertainment Books, Reading Counts, New Teacher gifts, the Outdoor Classroom, and Assembly money.  Tricia Howard made a motion to accept the proposed budget. It was seconded and passed.
• Expenses of $400.00 for Red Ribbon week were discussed.  A motion was made by Wendy Bione to approve the funding, it was seconded and the motion passed.

 

10.   New Business 

 

• Website – Kelly and Alan Cooper have arranged to have our site hosted at a cost of $35.00 per year.  This will let us keep a permanent address for the site, regardless of who is managing it.  The site will be updated frequently and has a printable calendar of all school and PTO events.
• Childcare for PTO meetings – We are looking into being able to provide childcare for our evening meetings.  We will be checking with community groups who may be interested in providing helpers for this.  Tanya Scherschel will contact St. Nicholas, and Risa McKay will speak with St. Clare to see if their youth groups can help. 
• Auction Childcare – Jane Becker has made arrangements to have childcare provided for the evening of the Auction.   Children, grades K-5, will be eligible.  Childcare will be provided by Fulton J.H. at E. K. Elementary from 5:30 -10:30pm.  For a cost of $25.00 per child, they will provide an evening of pizza, crafts, movies, and supervised entertainment.  Registration will be available when purchasing your Auction tickets.  A minimum of 20 registrations is needed by November 1 in order to guarantee this service.
• Pick-Up and Drop-Off  Volunteers – Kelly West is looking for people to assist with morning and afternoon crossing-guard duties.  Our current volunteer is finishing her available time, and we need replacements.  The shifts would be 8:15-8:45am and 3:15-3:45pm.  Any length of time you could help is greatly needed.
• Yearbook – Alison Rhodes presented the prospect of offering a DVD as a supplement to our yearbook.  The DVD could include field trips, special programs and activities, PTO events, and candid photos.  Anyone could submit their own pictures to be included as well.  We will look into a few things, such as privacy and copyright issues, to see if this is something we can make happen.  This would be an inexpensive and fun new idea that could also be a new fundraiser.
• Volunteer Training – All volunteers will need to attend one of District 90’s new training courses.  The next class will be held at Marie Schafer on September 21, from 6-7:30pm. 
• Recycling – We will begin a new recycling program for printer ink and toner cartridges.  The PTO will receive money for each cartridge we get, and it was suggested to have an award for the class who turns the most in.  Dan Crumb has volunteered to head this project.
• Other – Mrs. Scott requested volunteers to help with the new school building referendum.  We will be having a brief speaker on this issue at the end of next month’s meeting.
• Door Prize Winner – Congratulations to Lisa Camp for winning a beautiful fall mum!

 

11. Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm

 

Next Meeting is scheduled for October 10th at 11:30am in the library