Gates School PTO                                                                              3-18-08

 

 

 

Gates School Parent Teacher Organization Minutes

 Tuesday, March 18, 2008

 

 

I.                   Welcome

Lucinda Sears called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.  There were over 15 people in attendance, not all attendees signed in. See attached sign in sheet.

 

II.                Motion was made to approve minutes for February 2008.

 Minutes were approved and will be posted on-line and on the PTO board at Gates school.

 

III.             Walter McGrail report  

Walter reported that MCAS test are starting next week and the students are prepared.  There will be a second round of tests coming up in May.

 

IV.            Treasurers Report (see attached)

Lucinda reported initially, she said that we have had a lot of success with the direct appeal campaign.  Gates has already gathered over $3000.  She asked everyone to be aware of any matching programs your companies might have that could benefit our school  We are trying calculate out earnings so we can budget for the ‘08/’09 school year.  Sharon Berka Muzilla reported on the PTO financial standing. (See attached.) We earned $41,000 from the auction.  We have $145 from the staff basketball game so far.  The Gates Apparel is doing well.  We got an unexpected windfall from Target credit cards = $401.00.  The March Direct Appeal Letter earned $3465.00.   Sharon said, “We are inching toward our goal!”  Sharon reviewed expenditures on the second page of the report, and the 3rd page of the report shows we are committed to spend $26k.  The $81K cash on hand is the money we have to show the school committee when budgeting for next year. 

 

V.               Announcements

A.  Lucinda reported that she and several other PTO Board members have gone to the school committee to discuss the concerns for the rising costs of classroom assistants.  She explained to the School Committee that 82% of our PTO budget is on teaching assts., computer teacher, and the library aid.  They also reminded the school committee that in 2001 the school committee budgeted $50k for teaching assistants and in 2007 that same line item was $18k.  We are concerned about the growing pressure this is putting on the parents. 

The school committee will not honor our request for this year.  They would honor a request for Fall ’08.

Fran Bitteker said that she would like to speak on behalf of all the teachers and offered a heart felt “thank you” for the fundraising that allows for teaching assistants.  She said that in all classrooms but especially in the lower grades the teachers really value the support of teaching assistants.  She said they increase the quality of education the teachers can provide.

B. Staff Basketball is coming up on 4/4/08.  Please buy your tickets because space is limited.

C. Ice Cream Social is coming on 4/11/08

D. Deadline for the direct appeal is 3/31/08 so it is not too late to give!

E. Gates Apparel is always on sale so keep an eye out for that.

F.  The Principal Search is on going, we are in the interview phase now.

 

VI.            Motion to Adjourn 

Meeting ended at 7:30pm

 

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Cindi Hoggard, Recording Secretary