LiveBlogging PTA Meeting 5/12

A new PTA president is in place; Judith Baker. She was elevated from VP upon last month's elections (see here for minutes from the 4/14 meeting), which didn't have any nominees for president. (Anyone interested in serving as Secretary should contact the PTA Board). Curtis Roth was elected Secretary, and Dick Hausken was re-elected Treasurer. Congratulations and thank you to the new board.

Read more after the jump on what was discussed at the meeting.

Dick Hausken (Treasurer and treasurer elect) reports on the budget at the moment; Art Fair looks like it was a rip-roaring success, netting approximately $5,500 -- well more than expected (congratulations to the organizers!). Book fair and Carnival are still coming. Net result should be that we end the year with $35,000 or so, compared to $37,000 for the year. For more on the summer budget, see below.

Tyler Whitmeyer from Stand for Children is here to discuss the statewide school budget. Charlene reports the statewide budget information; on May 21, the Superintendent will present a revised budget forecast based on the new school information. Unlikely that we will lose FTE, but it may well be that we will lose days. Classroom looks the same, but days are likely to be lost.

Tyler encourages everyone to attend a meeting with local legislators on Monday May 18, Temple Beth Israel 7-8pm. Please come, and let Stand for Children know if you want to speak. Please mail postcards online online postcards. Michael Reunert indicated that he was going to go to the meeting, and can speak for PTA.

CR thanked parents and PTA (esp. Rachael Hemphill) for Staff Appreciation week. Tomorrow volunteer appreciation day, and K classes will sing a song. Welcome to Rieke event today for incoming K students went well. Current estimates are 61-62 incoming K students. Won't be surprised to pick up additional 10 or so. Accepted only co-enrolled siblings as transfers for incoming K classes. (N.B. that's huge! No transfer students and three K classes!)

On the reworking of the parking lot: Charlene showed email from a concerned parent regarding the lot. Lots of bad habits. Committee ideas. COP on both sides of Vermont -- no parking in AM sign. No parking 7-9 loading zone. Theory is to convert "dropoff" zone in front to diagonal parking. Further communications from committee may be forthcoming, but the implication was that the plan was largely complete. Concerns expressed re true level of coordination with entire community re the changes.

Updates 2009-10 board. No VP, no Events Coordinator, no Volunteer Coordinator. Claire Cowan & Rachael Hemphill are ready to move along.

Summer budget. Estimated money available in July -- $35,200. For Summer:
Back to School Lunch $225
First Day coffees $100
Back to School Picnic (matched) $1100
Tech Support contract $8,400
Literacy Support Contract $10,000
Corp registration $75
PTA Training $100
Copying for Back to School Packets $200
Babysitting for First Meeting $30
Web Calendar $100

Total $20,330

Available at start of school year $16,670.

Discussion re copying for PTA BTS packet.