St. Vivian PTA Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2005
7:00 p.m. Faculty Lounge
Members Present:
Jean Margello, Debbie Ruter, Emily Hutzel, Judy Rolfert, Kim Hafele, Hope Maier, Shelley Hoesl, Mike Ward, Amy Gulleman-Miller, Amy Hagedorn. Janine Winters and Mary Thress were in attendance to address the Board.
Welcome/Opening Prayer:
Shelley Hoesl called the meeting to order and said the opening prayer.
Secretary's Report:
Julie Bergmann was not present but minutes were distributed and approved.
With several members not present, it was noted that there were enough members present to approve spending. Shortly after this, Amy Hagedorn arrived; thus enabling a vote on spending.
Treasurer’s Report:
Mike Ward noted that Kathy Rothschild is still in the process of auditing the PTA’s checkbook and account but distributed Account Transactions for August and September YTD. The opening balance as of August 11, 2005 was $10,249.43 and the ending balance was $9,531.11. PTA dues are still coming in. The faculty has received their checks in the amount of $100 each from the PTA.
Principal’s Report:
October 7th is the Windy City Players. The cost of this is split w/ FANS. FANS paid their half via the initial deposit. PTA owes the balance of $125.
Terra Nova testing starts October 1st for grades 2,4,6,and 8.
Jean noted that 8 or so approached her about a board member’s conduct at a PTA function. There is nothing in the bylaws or constitution of the PTA addressing conduct issues. As such Jean proposed a committee be formed to add a paragraph to the bylaws or constitution addressing board conduct and how we are viewed. As a totally separate issue and not connected with the above mentioned board member, as a we are addressing an amendment to the bylaws or constitution, we should add a blanket statement that would deal with a board member if a serious charge involving items such as police action, drugs, abuse, etc. This would spell out the steps to be taken including dismissal. Jean stressed again that this is not in regard to our current situation with a board member. Amy Miller, Shelley Hoesl, and Mike Ward agreed to investigate some language for this at the next meeting.
23 computers’ service contract expired this summer and in view of the last lightening strike, a service contract is a valuable feature. The current budget does not cover this expense. PTA is being asked if we would be interested in covering this expense. The cost is $3221 for a 2 year service contract for 23 Dell computers with Next Day service. A long service contract was discussed but decided against. This motion was approved with remaining members’ votes.
Old Business:
a) Sally Foster: Janine Winters was present to brief PTA about this fundraiser. The kickoff was September 9th and went well. The pricing structure is cumulative this year with a family average. There are many incentive prizes including a Jillian’s party and a Bengals party. Teacher participation was down from the previous year. As an incentive for the teachers, a motion was made and approved for buy 1 get 1 gift wrap.
b) Viva St Vivian: Amy Gulleman-Miller said the evening went very well overall. She is still working on the final numbers but tentatively a $600 profit is being forecasted. Split the Pot proceeds will be donated to victims of Hurricane Katrina. There were about 142 in attendance with many positive comments.
c) List of school needs/wants: Judy Rolfert reported that grade 2 needs new desks. It was decided to revisit the subject in the spring. Shelley asked for a count and pricing. Jean Margello will put this together. Jean will have the teachers’ wish list together by the next meeting. It was thought that some the items on the list may be able to be taken care of with the 2nd $100 check to the teachers.
d) PTA Budget: nothing to report yet
e) School directory update: Amy Gulleman-Miller will drop off the directory at the printer once she gets a final count.
f) PTA dues: Mike Ward reported that there is $1195 collected to date.
g) Job list: Shelley Hoesl updated and passed the job list
h) PTA Board contact list: Shelley revised from last meeting and passed this out.
i) Welcome Committee: only 9 completely new families this year. Letters went out to them welcoming them.
j) Market Day: volunteer list: list went out to volunteers. Amy Gulleman-Miller will also include the coming month’s volunteers’ names into the PTA newsletter.
k) Cafeteria volunteers: Amy Hagedorn expressed frustration in getting people to work all the shifts this year. She still needs Tuesday volunteers. It was discussed that perhaps a $5 donation offered to those outside the school as incentive to volunteer. Shelley Hoesl asked that this be placed on the April 2006 agenda as a idea for future volunteers.
l) Windy City Players: should be October 7th (see earlier).
Mike Ward reported that he is ready to choose playground equipment; teachers also asked for some indoor games etc for times of indoor recess. $500 was requested for this. It was decided to use some of the $3000 that was approved last year for playground use. It was also decided upgrade the basketball hoops and they should be in soon.
New Business:
a) Tupperware: Mary Thress asked if the PTA would be interested in sponoring a Tupperware sale or even a bingo. This could be done in the cafeteria. There is a 40% profit from the sales. PTA discussed that we should consider this proposal and take into consideration the surveys, etc and maybe consider this for next year. In the course of discussing fundraisers, Emily Hutzel asked about the possibility of buying out of fundraisers. Shelley Hoesl motioned that we put this and the following items on the April 2006 agenda: Tupperware, cafeteria fees, 2nd grade desks (& fundraiser buyouts). This was item of business was approved.
b) PTA Newsletter: Shelley Hoesl thanked Amy Gulleman-Miller for her work on this endeavor. She has received many positive comments on it, especially in how PTA money is being spent and what activities are coming up.
c) Halloween pumpkin carving: this is set for October 27th. It is an easy event. Those attending bring their own pumpkin. About 50 came last year.
d) Jingle Bell shop: Julie Bergmann, while not in attendance, reported that there is not a signed contract yet and the company that has provided the inventory in the past is not doing this any more but will do this for us and a couple other schools this year. A motion was made and approved to sign a contract with the current company.
e,f) Christmas ornament/tree, Pancake breakfast: skip this month in the interest of time and discuss at next month’s meeting.
g) PTA dues increase: add this to the April 2006 agenda in addition to the items mentioned earlier.
Other Business:
PTA closet: Amy Gulleman-Miller will inventory & organize & report on. Judy Rolfert motioned to purchase some plastic containers for this purpose. This motion was approved.
Shelley Hoesl will look into Gardner self defense program. A few people have mentioned the value in a self defense course for the children and their families.
Jean Margello sent around a pamphlet from Catholic Social Services about classes.
Shelley Hoesl and Jean Margello will be speaking with the board member about her conduct at a PTA function.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next meeting is October 19th at 7:00 p.m.