PTA Meeting Minutes 10/4/2017

General PTA Meeting Minutes

October 4, 2017, 6-7:30 PM

César Chávez School Library

Chair: Fred Smith

1. Meeting called to order at 6:16 pm by Fred Smith. Quorum established.
2. Minutes from September 6, 2017 meeting reviewed by the membership, approved as written.
3. New business:
   1. Standing rules reviewed. Motion made by Leah Hinson to change the wording under an executive board quorum to read: Quorum for each executive board meeting or gathering to conduct official and/or legal business shall be three board members. For voting purposes, a minimum of three board members must be in agreement in order to carry the vote. If there is a tie, the voting will be postponed until the next board meeting or gathering of board members, motion seconded. Motion approved unanimously.  
   2. Reviewed budget that was approved in August, no changes or amendments suggested.
   3. Run for the Cyclones update. Fred discussed plans for upcoming run. Marlon Broussard asked Principal TJ Fuller about the funds that were raised at last year’s Run for the Cyclones, which was not a PTA event. Mr Fuller says the money was located, and is approximately $12,000. Fred made a request for volunteers at Run for the Cyclones on 10/9/17.
   4. Change to the evening meeting time. Discussed moving meeting from 6-7:30 to 5:30 – 7pm. No one objected, teachers showed support for moving it to 5:30. No official vote, but no voiced opposition to changing the meeting time.
4. President’s Report: Fred Smith discussed the abrupt change in principal last week. Welcomed TJ Fuller. Principal Fuller spoke to the group, is excited to start work at Chávez.
5. Huck Wilken, middle school math teacher, spoke as the teachers union representative at Chávez. He reports the teachers are on the second year working without a contract. 3 ½ years ago there was a contract dispute, which led to a vote to strike, but at the last minute the district reached an agreement with the union. Mr Wilken states the negotiating team on the side of the district is very new. Teachers are fighting for better class sizes and compensation (higher wage) – currently teachers are last in the metro region for pay. He asked parents to call the school board members to advocate for teachers to come to an agreement on the contract and to advocate for our school.
6. Treasurer’s Report: Meginn Nordstrom presented the treasurer’s report, the balance is: $2,842.63. Report attached.
7. Committee Reports
   1. Auction Committee – Marlon Broussard presented. The auction will take place April 28, 2017 and will happen at Red Sea Church. There will be an entrance fee, the amount has not been determined (most likely between $20-$40). Marlon would like families to spread the word about the auction. The committee will need donations that can be auctioned. The theme for the auction is “building bridges.” The goal is to have 150 participants.
   2. Fundraising Committee – Tahni Holt is the new fundraising chair, the goal is to find fundraising opportunities in the community. Dining out fundraisers, once per month. Spirit wear, grants, and she is also asking for ideas. Discussed Chinook Books, there is a plan to sell them the last week of October, Tahni asked for volunteers the work for one hour 7:30-8:30 am the last week of October.
   3. Communications Committee – Jason Clark presented about the multiple Facebook pages. The Chávez PTA Facebook page will be closed down within the next month, and members will be routed to the Families of Chávez Page.
   4. Membership Committee – Amber Clark presented. César Chávez PTA has 56 members currently. 11 teachers included in that total, 1 staff member, 1 community member.
   5. Literacy Committee – Mark Feldman presented, Oregon Battle of the Books books are going home to 3rd – 5th graders. There are classroom parents volunteering to support classrooms, looking still for some volunteers. Mark is looking to build enthusiasm for reading in the school. Reaching out to teachers for student written book reviews. Looking for volunteers to facilitate that.
   6. Transportation and Safety – Danielle Arp presented, she met with Lale from PBOT and Safe Routes to School, reviewed the most heavily trafficked areas around the school. The PBOT decision about what resources are given to the community will be released in November. Ryan at Better Blocks is letting us borrow delineator posts, documentation is needed from administration to make that happen. There will be a need for volunteers to place posts. Mr. Fuller would like to speak further about potential safety patrol at the school. Danielle also did some research on Intel, they do not donate computers to schools. Intel will match volunteer hours ($10 per hour) for Intel employees.
8. Marlon Broussard asked Mr. Fuller about the money that was raised last year for Run for the Cyclones and where that money will be directed. Marlon mentioned the estimated cost for the computer lab is $25,000, if the PTA raises its goal of $15,000 this year would the school cover the rest to $25,000, Mr. Fuller said yes.
9. Announcements – Keiona notified members the Scholastic Book Fair will be starting November 27, also the first meeting for Colores will be next week Tuesday 10/10. Leah mentioned the PTA hosted its first “Treats for Teachers and Staff” on 10/2/17 which was very successful. PTA brought cookies, snacks and sodas to teachers after school at 2:45, and the teachers really appreciated it. Asked for volunteers for future Treats for Teachers. Fred discussed the events from the upcoming events, handout attached.

Fred Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:56 pm.

Meeting minutes submitted by Leah Hinson, Secretary.