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LAKEWAY ELEMENTARY  PTO

General Meeting

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

LWE Volunteer Room

 

President Jennifer Neuse called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., with a verified quorum.  The minutes from the previous meeting were read with correction on the August minutes to reflect $7,200.00 for school supplies.  Motion carried.

 

Principal’s Report-Sam Hicks

·        A VP/faculty representative will not be available today

·        Sidewalk along front.  Plans are in the works to install a front sidewalk down the hill.  Due to the steep incline, installation would be between $30,000 and $40,000.  This would come from any bond money overages or put on another bond package.  In the mean time, school population can use the existing sidewalk along the bus driveway.  Ultimately, all plans must be approved by the City of Lakeway.

·        New policies within LTISD.  Any budget items over $1,000 will need to be approved by Dr. Kirk.  Procedure will take time to itemize everything.  In reference to gifting to teachers, teachers cannot receive a gift over $50.  Homeroom parents can assist teachers with this dilemma by breaking down gift in increments. Gift certificates were suggested. 

·        Wish Lists and Curriculum Night.  There will be a focus only on the curriculum on Back to School night. Parents need to focus on class room services, not donations.  Grade-level coordinators could direct this information.

·        Fundraising.  No-cost fundraisers through Box Tops, Randall’s and Target have increased and helped replace lost revenue.  These offerings do not impact parents directly.

·        Blue Ribbon Nomination.  Considering our school population/demographics, LWE has a good shot and receiving a nod. 

·        TAKS.  Sixty-seven percent of 3rd graders received commended performance on reading, whereas the state average was just 35%.  However, the state will be rating teachers/students with ARD recommendations.  Special education students take the SDAA.  Ten to eleven of our ARD students took SDAA.  SDAA consists of 3 levels:  level 1 basically credits a student for attempting the assessment; those ARD students achieving 60% correct attain a level 2 score; and level 3 is commended performance.  Our special ed. students did very well, however the ARD expectations rate will negatively affect our rating this year.  Our ARD expectations rated more students 3, yet they actually tested at level 2.  Overall, student performance was higher that we have ever experienced, but we set too high of expectations for our special education students.  ARD’s will be taking this into consideration in the future.

·        LTE is under construction and attendance zones will revert back to what they were two years ago.  We will lose approximately 175 students to LTE.  LTISD will not be changing the middle school boundaries until we pass another bond and build more schools.  Another elementary school is needed for our attendance zone.

·        Yearbook.  An employed sponsor is still needed.  Mr. Hicks is actively recruiting a replacement for Julie Wilson.

·        Technology.  All computers in the library, computer lab and classrooms will be replaced in the summer of 2005.  This expenditure is tied into the LTE bond construction.  Any cost overruns will have to be addressed first.  Each grade/team leader is supplied with an HP printer.  Mr. Hicks would like to see each teacher have their own printer in the classroom.  However, every teacher does not need a desktop publishing-quality system.  Perhaps the team leader.

·        Recycling.  It has been tried before, but was not successful due to a lack of support from agencies to take the items.

·        Silent Auction Parking Space.  This designation will no longer be available with the surplus of parking along the front row. 

 

Officer’s Reports

1st VP/Volunteers-Cynthia Casto 

  • Carnival information will be going home in 10/5 Tuesday folders.  The committee is working hard.  Jay Hiller has collected over $1,500 from the community and we will be selling frozen casseroles prepared by Hill Country Pasta House.  They are charging PTO $6.00 for each item and the casseroles will be sold during the carnival for $15.00.  The 5th grade hall will be used for this venue.  Five inflatables will be in attendance. 

2nd VP/Fundraising-Cheri Delong

  • Fall trunk show will take place on 11/18/2004 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Susan Thompson and Beth Mansell are co-chairs.  Booth fees have been set at $35.00.  Entertainment Passbooks registered $22,754.00 in sales.  Three hundred thirty unsold books have been returned thus far.  Sally Foster in underway.  Becky Carfer has the school store up and running with total sales of $30.00.

4th VP/Programs-Felicia Collazo

  • Green Santa.  The Hudson Bend Ladies Auxiliary is meeting 9/29/04.
  • Red Ribbon will be the begin Monday, October 25.  Debbie Judge is short $192.00 in funds to purchase books for each classroom.  This also includes ribbons, books and bracelets.  LTISD provides $400 towards this event and PTO offers $500.  Cynthia Casto motioned to approve the additional funds and it carried. 
  • Art Show.  This show is in conjunction with the trunk show.  The art teachers hope to raise $1,500 for their department.  Teachers will be questioned about their needs for show. 

Treasurer’s Report-Shelley McCannon

  • Reported that as of  9/28/04, our balance was $42,655.57. 
  • Shelley motioned to approve:
    1. Deletion of the Red Ribbon income of $1,000.00
    2. Insurance expense to increase $149.00 for a total of $889.00
    3. Teacher gift cards to increase to $6,200.00
    4. Campus Beautification should become an annual budgeted item for $3,000.00
    5. Remove the Kids Giving Mall expense and income
    6. Add Science Lab as a budget item for $10,000.00 to outfit lab

After discussion, Kim Stotts motioned to approve budget line items and motion carried.

  • Sally Foster will be a tax-free day whenever actual order is placed.
  • Unallocated Reserves.  We are not in a negative balance of $10,390.00.

 

New Business

  1. New Wish List Items-Shelley McCannon

Second Grade

    • Pioneer Living assembly 4/8/05 for $500.00
    • Field trips to Wimberly Glass Factory and Exotic Resort Zoo for $950.00
    • Overhead timers for each room at $61.25 for total of $392.00
    • Mrs. Heath-requested a Standard/reading/writing center easel at $109.50; place value overhead kit for $27.45; writing skills overhead kit at $32.95; hundreds pocket chart for $15.40;
    • Mrs. Cowan-requested Hank the Cowdog books at $3.95 per books for a total including shipping of $8.55
    • First Prima Kit and reading porta center kits at $79.90 for a total of $99.88, which includes shipping
    • Soft foam base ten stamps, coin stamps, subtraction super safari game at a cost of $30.65, with shipping to total $38.60
    • Ms. Avery-requested reader strips; Eight Ate book at a cost of $25.75, with shipping $31.70
    • Ms. Matt-requested a magazine/book holder for guided readers at a cost of $12.95 for a total to including shipping at $59.75
    • Tabled request for HP color printers, USB cable, black and color ink cartridges until later date

Lori Griggs motioned to approve requests; motion carried.

Third Grade

·        Mrs. Hooper requested $348.00 for field trip to Inner Space Cavern

·        Mrs. McDonald requested $107.63 for an electric pencil sharpener

Lori Griggs motioned to approve requests; motion carried.

Fifth Grade

·        Mrs. Graham requested funds for field trip to Sea World in amount of $2,400.00

·        Field trip to Nimitz Museum and Enchanted Rock Oct. 26,27 and 28 for $760.00

·        Tabled request for printer/copier/scanner until later date

Cynthia Casto motioned to approve requests; motion carried.

Art

·        Marbling supplies at a cost of $170.00

·        Twelve marbling tanks at a cost of $75.00 per tank for a total of $900.00

Robin Thomas motioned to approve requests; motion carried.

Counselor

Remove $275.00 from wish list for Parent Night character program; this is already a budget line item.

Music

·        Ms. Biosevas requested $149.95 to purchase 11”x16” set of 30 boards, markers and erasers

Lori Griggs motioned to approve request; motion carried.

Office

·        Mr. Hicks requested $1,050.00 for 50 cases of paper

·        Mr. Hicks requested $150.00 for 4 memberships for Sam’s Club

·        Monitors requested $341.25 for dog tag die cut for student recognition, with 5 additional die cuts

·        Monitors requested $320.25 for a Kinder weather set die cut and 4 additional die cuts

Lori Griggs motioned to approve items; motion carried.

 

New Project-Allison Cobb

  • Would like to suggest the possibility of creating a Lakewayopoly game as a way to reach out to the community and encourage team building.  She spoke with the creator and stated that $53,000.00 would need to be raised for the project and that extensive time would need to be committed to the endeavor.  This could be a collaborative effort with the other PTO’s in the LTISD. Discussion ensued.

 

Landscaping and Beautification-Kerry Collie

  • Suggested removal of front sidewalk removal of grass and weeds and replacing area with a circular seating arrangement.  It would consist of 3 benches, a crushed granite walkway and mulch.  Cost estimated at $670.00 ($250.00 per rubber-coated bench)
  • Additional money requested for seed planting
  • Possible funds raised through a plant registry or donations for $700.00 for additional plants
  • Long-range plans include plants for Parent Pavilion
  • Spot-lighting for Mustang Mosaic

 

Chick Fil A  School Night-Kim Stotts

  • Restaurant to sponsor LWE spirit night on 3rd Thursday of the month, beginning on 11/18/04.  Chick Fil A will donate 10% to each participating PTO between the hours of 5 pm. – 10 p.m.
  • Stickers would go home reminding families of spirit night courtesy of Chick Fil A

 

By-Laws

  • Current open At-Large board position will not be filled until the By-Laws are revised; Discussion will ensue at a later date

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Robin Thomas

Secretary