President, Jennifer Neuse called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m., with a verified quorum.

Minutes from the September 2, 2003 meeting were submitted. Shelley McCannon noted a correction. On page 2, under New Business, 1^st Grade – the corrected amount is $714.18, not 710.00 as originally reported. The minutes were approved as corrected.

Sam reported that the “Portable Buildings” are now well under control.

He also reported that email is down in the entire district and will remain down for a minimum of 1-3 weeks. Technology is suffering major problems.

One of the biggest challenges LWE is now facing is the method of scheduling for getting children home after school. No transportation changes can possibly be made after 2:00 p.m. It comes down directly to a safety issue with the incapability to insure that students can get messages in such a short time frame with limited resources of getting the messages to the students.

Curriculum alignments throughout the district are being evaluated.

Although parents have not been able to eat lunch in the Cafeteria with their students, parents are welcome to eat lunch outside at the picnic tables with their students. LWE is working on providing covered picnic areas outside the Cafeteria for parents and students.

POP (Parents On Patrol) is a new program that has been designed to give LWE the extra scheduled volunteer help that we are in such great need of due to the growth of our campus. The entire staff is greatly appreciative of the efforts of these volunteers.

After multiple questions from board members, much discussion transpired regarding the actual capacity of LWE Cafeteria and the upcoming bond issue.

Cynthia reported that all volunteers are working hard on the Carnival, LWE still needs a “main” sponsor. All committees involved are going very well.

Cheri reported that to date we have received approximately $25,132.00 from Passbook sales.

A Holiday Shop is being evaluated as a fundraiser.

The Garage Sale to be held in the spring still needs a chairperson.

Other possible fundraisers are being researched.

Kim reported that activities for Red Ribbon Week are being finalized for approval.

The Spanish Club is full and there is currently a waiting list.

The Chess Club is full.

Shelley reported that our balance as of September 30, 2003 is $20,402.08. The account balance to date reflects $26,454.77. We have budgeted $12,000.00-13,000.00 for other approved expenditures, which leaves us with approximately $12,000.00 to safely spend.

Sno Cones are bringing in about $165.00 each week.

School Store is bringing in an average of $187.78 each week.

Shelley presented a report to add line items to our current budget to cover Bad Debt Expense, Clubs Income and Expense, and Flow Thru Vendor Income and Expense. She motioned to add line items and approve budget amendments for the following: Bad Debt Expense - $250.00, Clubs Income & Expense – Chess Club - $1,890.00, Spanish Club - $1,650.00, & Flow thru Account Income & Expense – T-shirts - $770.00. Motion carried.

Shelley reported that there is a need to establish a system for turning in and reporting monies and checks. She will research and present a more efficient system. In addition, she recommended and the majority agreed that a new system should be established to determine the most beneficial guidelines in which to present PTO funding requests.

Kelly Sagami’s resignation of the elected position of At Large/Aide to the President (originally submitted on August 16, 2003), was officially accepted by the LWE PTO Board.

Notice of an election for this position was given in accordance with the LWE Bylaws. Cynthia Casto nominated Lori Arden for this position. Jennifer Neuse opened the floor for any other nominations. There were no other nominations. Nominations were closed and a vote was called. Lori Arden was unanimously voted in to fill this position.

Jennifer announced that our next General Meeting was to be held on Thursday, October 9, 2003 beginning at 6:30 p,m. in the Cafeteria. She and Lori Griggs asked for volunteers to bring cookies and lemonade for refreshments for this meeting. Volunteers contacted Lori Griggs for their contributions.

Lori Griggs – Lori gave a Playground update. A double ball locker that will lock approximately 20 balls will be mounted outside at LWE. It is scheduled for October 17, 18, & 19, to have our black top painted with tic tac toe, hopscotch, and a live chess board. There may be grant money to cover the installation of more ladders and bring in more ground cover to our new Playscape due to the broken arms that have unfortunately occurred.

Lori reported also that she in a member of the “Citizens for the Bond” committee. She is working with Dean Appling, Susan Tolles, and others to promote voter registration and awareness. More information to come. After much discussion, the questions arising among board members as to whether they can put their personal name as a LWE PTO Board Member to support or not support the bond issue, it was agreed that LWE PTO cannot take a position on this without consent of the entire board. However, if any individual of the LWE PTO, as an individual, supports the bond, it is appropriate to do so. It was also suggested and agreed upon that we have a button making machine and supplies available to produce buttons that specifically encourage everyone to VOTE!! Just can’t tell or suggest how to vote. It was also suggested that possibly through email, the Webmaster, and phone calling the Grade Level Coordinators could pass on information to the homeroom parents to pass on to the parents to encourage voting in the upcoming bond election. Cynthia Casto and Lyn Quinn announced they would take care of getting this information to the appropriate Grade Level Coordinators.

Wish List Items – Jennifer Neuse and Shelley McCannon

o Kindergarten Team requested $357.60 for the Crow’s Nest Farm field trip and First Grade- Ms. Charbonnet requested $254.99 for Royal Reading/Writing Center Teaching Easel. Cheri DeLong motioned to approve these requests. Motion carried.

o Second Grade- Ms. Bode requested $438.00 for a “Lots of Dots” area rug, and Ms. Flemming requested $68.99 for a Listen & Read along set. Lori Griggs motioned to approve these requests. Motion carried.

o Third Grade Team requested $1,559.04 for “Best Practices in Reading Level C Workbooks & Teacher Guides. Lori Griggs motioned to approve this request. Motion carried.

o Fourth Grade team requested $700.00 for Scholastic News subscription for each class and $481.00 for bus transportation for the field trip to Bob Bullock Museum/State Capitol. Lori Griggs motioned to approve these requests. Motion carried.

o Fifth Grade team requested $120.00 for a scanner, $130.00 for a CD Burner, -Mr. Benthall requested $47.95 for “A Zillion Kajillion Rhymes”, -Mr. Benthall requested $67.95 for a “Thunder 7 Interative Spelling & Thesaurus. Ms. Townley requested $5.00 for 12 Chess Sets. Lori Griggs motioned to approve these requests. Motion carried.

o The Instructional Support Team – Ms. McCauley requested $439.00 for a Co-writer SmartApplet & AlphaSmart 3000 bundle, Ms. Schaack - $65.95 for a paper shredder w/basket, & $48.20 for 12 Hand Writers. Cynthia Casto motioned to approve these requests. Motion carried.

o The Office requested $1,750.00 for filtered water & coffee service for the faculty lounge for the year and $1,305.60 for laminating film. Lori Griggs motioned to approve the $1,750.00 request and to fund half of the $1,305.60 request. Motion carried

o PE- Coach DiCarlo requested $315.27 for a CD Player and $139.00 for an Elementary Physical Education Seminar. Lyn Quinn motioned to approve these requests. Motion carried.

o Sam Hicks requested $130.00 to purchase 1000 pledge booklets at a cost of $.13 each. Lori Griggs motioned to approve this request. Motion carried.

o After much discussion among the board regarding funds that teachers spend on the students out of their own money, Cheri Delong motioned to approve $5,600.00 for 56- $100.00 Walmart/Sams Gift Cards to give to the teachers to use for their classrooms as deemed necessary. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Melanie Hudelson

Secretary