PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY PTO MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2007 in the ART ROOM

Meeting Called to Order By: President, Andrea Clark

Time: 6:40 p.m.

Attendance: 37

Minutes: Minutes of January 9, 2007 meeting read by all and approved by Leigh Custard with the 2^nd by Beth Wood

GUEST SPEAKER

Judy Cunningham, Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Education for DMPS, spoke at the meeting regarding our efforts to secure a full-time Principal at our school.  She explained the Released-Assistant Program, the Administrative Intern Program, and Principals with 2 schools are driven by the budget.  When our full-time Principal retired several years ago there was not enough money in the budget to allow another full-time Principal here.  Since that time, we have had two Released Assistant Principals at the school and two full-time Principals that we have shared with another school.

Judy was able to share some great news with the PTO: Pleasant Hill will definitely have our own full-time Principal at the school in the fall.  Interviews will take place within a couple of weeks so we should know before school is out whom our Principal will be for 2007-2008.

Judy explained the steps involved in the hiring process of Principals.  The applications have been received and the next step is interviews.  Two PTO members and two staff members from Pleasant Hill are invited and encouraged to attend the interviews.  A discussion continued on characteristics the parents and staff would like to see in our new Principal.  The ideas included: approachable by all, advocate for technology, supporter of varying educational programs, advocate for families and a strong knowledge of our community.

Judy also offered a challenge to the PTO to consider what would be good for Pleasant Hill in the future.  Several ideas included a new junior high, making Pleasant Hill Elementary a K-8 school or possibly even Pre-K - 8.  We are on the bottom of the schedule as far as school renovations so now is the time to start thinking of our options for the future.

Andrea noted that we can invite administrators from our junior highs and high school to speak at any of our PTO meetings.  If anyone is interested in this, please let Andrea know.

Also, anyone interested in attending the Principal interviews need to contact Andrea Clark.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS

PRESIDENT: ANDREA CLARK

The bus for the 1^st grade field trip to the Science Center was late picking up the students so there will be no charge for the bus.

February 15 is the last Sleepy Hollow night for Pleasant Hill this year.

The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, March 6.  It has been moved up a week so as not to conflict with the busy conference week.

The next Wendy’s Night is March 8 from 5-8 p.m.

March 9 is the all school assembly at the Civic Center to see “Alice”.

We need new volunteers to take over the following: Campbell’s Soup Labels, Box Tops and Student Birthdays.  If you are interested in any of these please let Andrea know.  None of these require a huge time commitment.

VICE PRESIDENT: KIM SMITH

No report

TREASURER: VICTORIA JONES (RESIGNED) - KIM SMITH REPORTING

Treasurer’s Report read by all and approved by Donna Britt with the 2^nd by Melanie Kale

The Treasurer’s Report is complete through January 31.  All January debits and credits have been included on the report.

SECRETARY: JENNIFER BRAAFHART

No report

PRINCIPAL: KYM STEIN

K-Kids will be holding a Healthy Snack Fest on Feb 27 from 4 - 5:30.  All students will be asked to bring a recipe for a healthy snack to school and then a cook book will be created by the K-Kids.

Students in all grades are working on technology assignments.  They will be shown during conferences.

Parents are asked to arrive at conferences about 5 minutes early to review all student information to make necessary corrections.  This information will be recorded into the Infinite Campus program (replaces Sims).  This is an online program which will give parents real-time access to class room activities, homework, sick day information, etc. by 2008.  If all corrections are made at conferences we should be able to have up and running by fall registration.  This would mean no more paper forms to fill out and would speed up the process tremendously.

Marta Keiran’s daughter will be performing from Seussical the Musical with the Hoover Drama Club at our assembly during Dr. Seuss Week. 

OPEN FORUM

A volunteer is needed take over VIP Day.  This will be Sarah Reese’s last year for the event.  Please contact Andrea if interested.

Karla Weibers ordered the student planners for the 3^rd-5^th graders for the 2007-2008 school year.

Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 25 but this won’t work because we won’t have a PE teacher available.  Andrea said they will look into another day.  Karla mentioned that Wednesdays and Fridays would not work.

OLD BUSINESS

Parking: A new parking lane will be created on Pleasant Hill Blvd. during the summer construction project.  A walkway will also be created connecting the sidewalk on Pleasant Hill Blvd. to the back of the school.  The construction will begin after school ends in June and should be done before school starts in August.

Friendship Party: This will be Feb 14 from 2:15-3:00.  Volunteers are asked to meet in the Art Room at 2:00.  During the party, the students will play Friends/Couples Pictionary (regular Pictionary for younger grades) then they will hand out and look at their Valentine’s.  Every student will get a prize and a snack from the PTO.

QSP: The kick-off assembly will be Friday at 2:30.

NEW BUSINESS

Treasurer Re-Assignment: Victoria Jones submitted a letter of resignation from the Treasurer position citing time conflicts.  Michelle Bodensteiner will be filling the position for the remainder of the year.  PTO Executive Board nominations will be accepted in April and voting will take place in May for the 2007-2008 school year.

Polk Cty. Betterment Grant: We are asking for adjustable basketball hoops for the gym and new benches on our playground (replacing 2 and adding 1).  A vote was taken to see if we want to purchase these items anyway if we do not get the Grant.  Basketball Hoops = Approved.  Benches = Approved  Total dollar amounts would equal about $4500.00

PTO Accounting Services: Victoria had been working with a CPA regarding our financials.  The E-Board has continued working with the CPA to make sure our account continues to be organized before it is handed off for next year.  Approximately $300 has been spent to date.  A vote was taken and approved to spend up to $300 more if necessary.

New Staff Member: Lindsey Brace is a full-time teacher working with 1^st grade in math and reading and 4^th grade in math and writing.  A vote was taken and approved to give her $125 Teacher Discretion for 2006/07 school year.

 Preschool Request: Joelle Snyder is asking for $72 to purchase tassels for students graduating from Preschool to Kindergarten.  A vote was taken and approved.

The 5^th graders are going to the Des Moines Symphony for a music dept. fieldtrip.  A vote was taken and approved for PTO to pay $164.50 for the fieldtrip.

Kym Stein would like to have an all school assembly put on by Mad Science of Central Iowa.  The cost is $395 for two assemblies for K-8.  No vote needed because already on the budget.  Kym will schedule the assembly for sometime in April.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Meeting Adjourned At: 7:40

The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30.  Childcare will be provided in the library.

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Last modified: May 02, 2008