PTA Council Minutes

Present: Jackie Ballinger, Paula Van Buren, Liz Gallagher, Karen Smith, Lori Moore, Erin Pezzulo, Lauren Roecker, Darcy Baumbach, Carol Nason, Elizabeth Herkenham, Jim Schultz, Peter Merchant, Lynnette Ziskin.

President’s Report: Peter Merchant.

~Peter welcomed everyone.

~The minutes of the last Council meeting on November 20, 2006 were approved and accepted.

~Peter will distribute a copy of the Council’s bylaws to all members at the next Council meeting.

~At the last meeting, Peter inspected the issue of commercial or non-profit organizations who request the PTAs to advertise their program(s) to BH-BL families. Bev Cottrell, Northeastern Region PTA Director, informed Peter that PTA newsletters are for PTA activities and events only, and for future purposes, none of these types of organizations’ advertising of their programs are to be included in any PTA newsletter. Peter drafted a letter to all PTA Presidents to notify them that their PTA cannot endorse or promote an outside organization’s event or activity or include such articles in their newsletters. He provided a copy of the letter for all those in attendance, and additionally, one for each PTA president, which will be forwarded to them by their Council representative.

~Peter inquired about forming a nominating committee. All Council officers are in their first term with these exceptions: Darcy Baumbach, treasurer, will consider a second term; Liz Gallagher, co-2^nd-vice president, respectfully declined another term.

Secretary’s Report: Lynnette Ziskin

~Lynnette inquired if it is necessary to make multiple copies of the Council’s minutes to circulate at the bi-monthly Council meetings. The minutes are e-mailed to all Council members, and approved via e-mail. We can reduce paper waste and avoid the paper expense if this is eliminated. All agreed; one hard copy of the minutes will be provided at subsequent Council meetings.

Treasurer’s Report: Darcy Baumbach.

~Treasurer’s report presented for everyone to view.

~Charlton Heights Arts & Enrichment bill and Odyssey of the Mind bill from last year have finally been settled.

School Board Liaison’s Report: Elizabeth Herkenham.

~The Board of Education approved a March 1 public vote putting two propositions before voters in a March 1 referendum:

-The first proposition would authorize borrowing $4.9 million and using state EXCEL aid to renovate our schools. BH-BL is eligible for $1.1 million in EXCEL aid to reimburse the district for what is usually the local taxpayers’ portion (23%) of renovation/construction projects. Regular state building aid would cover the remaining 77% or $3.8 million, which means that BH-BL could finance $4.9 million in projects with NO cost to local taxpayers. The projects reviewed were not permitted in the last bond referendum, including a new heating system for Pashley Elementary, electrical and plumbing work at Stevens Elementary, and several re-roofing jobs.

-The second proposition would allow the district to purchase a 4.6 acre parcel of land off Lakehill Road adjacent to the Transportation Center and Stevens Elementary School. The parcel lies back behind the eastern end of Lakehill Road bordering the bus garage land and Fireman’s Grove. It includes a right-of-way access at

3 Lakehill Road. Currently there are limitations in existing space and traffic patterns at Stevens and the Transportation Center.

- A Bond referendum bulletin with more details will be mailed home to all residents in the near future.

~The Board of Education is in the beginning stages of budget development for 2007-2008. Please check the website www.bhbl.org , Board of Ed link, for budget information and the planning calendar. Central administration has collected budget requests, and has asked budget managers to be mindful of another difficult budget year. The public is welcome to attend upcoming BOE finance committees meetings on February 6, March 6,

and March 20 to learn about the budget development. Finance meetings are slotted for the Board to discuss the issues at hand and therefore the public is respectfully asked to refrain from discussion. Public forums are the opportunity for public input and are scheduled for February 15 and March 14.

~Six Board of Education members and Superintendent Schultz attended the Capital Region’s School Board Association meeting in January to learn about the current legislative climate under the new leadership.

~At the January 23 Board of Education meeting, program review will be on the power of teaming, and the following Board of Education meeting scheduled for February 13 will feature a review of the school lunch program.

~Under the new unfunded fiscal accountability requirements the district has hired an internal auditor who will begin with a risk of fraud assessment of our current processes. Board members must also have six hours of training for fiscal accountability. Five of our seven Board members have completed this requirement. The remaining two Board members are scheduled for a future program.

~Four Board seats will be up for re-election in May: Bob Speck and Tim Kelliher’s terms come to a close, and the two seats which were appointed this year.

Superintendent’s Report: Jim Schultz.

~Mr. Schultz provided Council members with a flyer entitled “Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central Schools Board of Education Highlights” which included detailed information about the March 1 referendum (EXCEL renovations and land purchase), grants recently received from the BH-BL Education Foundation, a winter retreat for Board members, and staff resignations/leaves of absence/ appointments.

Teacher Representative’s Report: Andy Haluska: No report.

Committee Reports:

Arts & Enrichment: Lauren Roecker.

~The Community Follies will be held on February 9 & 10. Please support this event as it is the only fundraiser that provides for the Arts & Enrichment program at the BH-BL High School.

~Stevens recently hosted “Double Vision” on January 19, a program encouraging the values of respect, for grades K-5. Included was an evening event for families.

~Charlton Heights recently hosted the jugglers "Two", at the Middle School – a great performance for all.

~Charlton Heights welcomes back Chris Holder on February 7-9th, 13th & 14th for a 5th grade residency on the human body.

~Ellen Sinopoli will perform at Stevens on March 14, and then provide workshops

(3/20-3/22) for 4^th grade students at Stevens and Charlton Heights and 5^th grade students at Pashley.

~Pashley Elementary will host "Foodplay Productions" sponsored by Hannaford – a program which teaches kids about healthy eating habits.

After-school Enrichment Clubs: Karen Smith.

~The After-school Enrichment Clubs are running smoothly and are currently in the third of four weeks. Karen plans to have a meeting at the close of Clubs to summarize progress. Also reported below.

~The After-school Enrichment Clubs will experiment with a pilot program at the middle school during the month of March.

Theatre for Children: Kathy Lynch: No report.

Odyssey of the Mind: Jean Smith: No report.

Council Delegate Reports:

High School PTA Council Rep: Carol Nason.

~BH-BL has formed a committee to address the issues of plagiarism. The committee has spent time developing specific definitions and terms to define plagiarism, and is working on consistent consequences for the behavior. A Power Point has been developed, and the high school is working closely with the middle school on this issue.

~Field Trip to Boston – 3 buses will be leaving for Boston on Thursday, January 25^th during Regents Week. Additional seats for students identified as at risk (the disengaged student) or those unable to pay the cost are available for the trip.

~A support system is in place for 9^th & 10^th grade students - identified because they are failing two or more subjects.

~School safety is still an important agenda issue. Drop off and pick up are the key times of concern. Communication between home and school during a crisis is also of concern to parents.

~School climate: Of particular concern are the times immediately before and after school hours. More supervision is needed in the halls during these times.

~The Prom After-Glow, an annual event held at the Bayou Café, continues to face severe budget cuts. This is a safe haven for students immediately after the prom (1:00 a. m. – 4:00 a.m.) featuring food, DJ and dancing. The high school will be asking for a donation from each school for this event.

~The status of the Reflections program at the high school is unknown. Communication is weak, at best.

O’Rourke Middle School PTA Council Rep: Lori Moore.

~There are 4 Odyssey of the Mind teams at the middle school this year.

~Plans are underway for Monopoly, an annual fundraiser that benefits both O’Rourke PTA and Community Human Services, which will be held on April 27^th and April 28^th. Many volunteers are needed to make this event successful.

Charlton Heights PTA Council Rep: Karen Smith.

~In lieu of forming a nominating committee, a “job vacancies” advertising campaign is circulating through Charlton Heights.

~The After-school Enrichment Clubs are in the third week and running smoothly. 2^nd report.

~The Playground fund continues to grow and currently contains $68,000 of the $90,000 needed. Possibilities considered in raising the remainder of the money are:

- A phone-a-thon.

- A bus trip to a Yankees & Red Sox baseball game.

- A walk-a-thon in May; currently seeking donations of pedometers and water bottles for this event.

~On February 2, proceeds from a family event featuring “The Price is Right” game show will benefit the playground fund.

~The new playground will take five days to build, starting on June 13.

Pashley PTA Council Rep: Paula VanBuren.

~Each day at Pashley students begin their day with a 30 minute fitness walk, “Walk Across New York State”. This takes place in the gym from 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.

~In lieu of a fall fundraiser, the PTA opted to try a “family donation” campaign. It is a direct donation plan, with a goal to raise $8,000. Currently, $5,000 has been raised.

~The After-school Enrichment Clubs enrollment is 150 students.

~Plans are underway for Curiosity Shop, slated for the first three weeks in March.

~The PTA will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday, January 27.

Stevens PTA Council Rep: Jackie Ballinger.

~The Nominating Committee to recruit officers for ’07 – ’08 has been formed.

~After-school Enrichment Clubs going well. The registration stands at 370 attendees (students are allowed to attend more than one club.)

~Odyssey of the Mind information/registration packet was not received last fall. There are no OM teams this year at Stevens.

~A vote was taken to spend $2,500 in excess funds. Specifically, $1,000 was given to the physical education department to purchase bags of playground equipment (balls, jump ropes, etc.) for the children. Each classroom will house one bag of equipment.

1^st Vice-president: Erin Pezzulo: No report.

Co-2nd Vice-presidents: Liz Gallagher and Paula VanBuren.

~The Founders Day dinner will be on Wednesday February 7, 2007 at the Edison Club in Rexford. Flyers and tickets for the dinner have been distributed to all five schools, the transportation department and the administration building.

~Founders Day winners were announced:

-Stevens Elementary: Ralph Rothacker and Kathy Welch.

-Charlton Heights Elementary: Barbara Becker.

-Pashley Elementary: Renee Ramsey and Sandi Garrison.

-O’Rourke Middle School: Sue Roellke Long.

-BH-BL High School: Sheryl Lauria and Jeff Reynolds.

-PTA Council: Theresa Brenon.

~Bob Youmans has agreed to perform as Master of Ceremonies.

~Centerpieces for each table, flower arrangements, cost $30 each, which is paid for by the individual PTAs.

~Paula Van Buren inquired if PTA Council should select and order the flower bouquet for each award winner, so all recipients receive a uniform gift. Discussion ensued; motion made and seconded. Vote, motion carried. PTA Council will begin that task this year.

~For future years, consideration was given to add the cost of the bouquets for the recipients to the cost of the table centerpieces for one total bill. That bill would be paid by the individual PTAs in one sum. Discussion ensued; motion made and seconded. Vote, motion carried. Beginning next year, PTA Council will bill each PTA for the winner’s bouquet and table centerpiece collectively.

~Council Representatives must order their own Honorary Life pin for the recipient from their school’s PTA. The order information/form is on-line at www.nyspta.org.

~Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m.

Entertainment will begin at 8:00 p.m. Recipients’ families were asked to arrive at 8:15 p.m. and remain in a secluded room until the presentation of the awards.

~Each school is responsible for 2 dozen baked goods in order to thank our entertainment.

~Presentation order of the awards is: Charlton Heights, Pashley, Stevens, Middle School, High School, and PTA Council.

~The presentation speech for the award will be limited to 3 minutes or less.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business: None.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:41 p.m.

The next PTA Council meeting will be held on Monday March 19, 2007 in the Principal’s Conference Room at the High School.