HSES PTA Executive Board meeting

October 9, 2007

HSES Media Center

 

 

HSES PTA Executive Board meeting convened at 7:05 pm on October 9th, in the HSES Media Center.  14 PTA members were in attendance and two administrators.

 

The agenda began with the PTA mission, welcome and introductions.

 

Jeannie DeCray welcomed the PTA members and read a letter to be sent from the Hollifield Station PTA president to the members of Board of Education and Dr. Cousins.  The letter was read to the PTA.

 

Alisa Kindall made a motion to approve sending the letter from the Hollifield Station PTA. The motion was seconded and carried. All were in favor with no one opposing the motion.

 

A list of motions the letter covered the following:

  1. Open Disclosure. Future information gathered at the cost of taxpayers regarding the health and safety of the learning environment needs to be fully disclosed to the public.
  2. Additional information. Who had the health and safety assessment report and for how long?
  3. Common specifications: The board is proposing two different specifications and standards, one for new and one for renovated schools. The current 1999 educational specifications require one common specification.
  4. Adequate participation in the process. There was a request that public hearings should not be held on the same night set events at the school (e.g., Back to School night)
  5. Gilbert report. Standards should be applied uniformly to the process for considering renovation or rebuilding. This needs to include a comprehensive covering of what will be renovated and what will not be upgraded.
  6. Hazardous materials. In the planning phase there needs to be detailed documentation of location, abatement process and timing of abatement of the removal of hazardous material.

 

The Plan 2B is no longer viable. They found that a total of 3 or 4 firewalls would be needed instead of 2 at a cost of 15 million dollars per firewall, which would be on top of the 50 million currently needed. The current plan would retain the existing footprint with annexes connected via breezeways. 46 million has been allocated for the renovations. The proposed renovation would likely be finished in 2011.

 

Trish Ververs motioned to approve the six motions. The motion was seconded and carried. All were in favor with no one opposing the motion.

 

Principal's Report (Glenn Heisey): Enrollment as of 10/1/07 is 613 students. There are 111 kindergarten students and the smallest grade is the first graders with 85 students.  Recess before lunch is going well. School pictures went well. The company took care of sending the pictures home which was a big help. 10/22/07 is retake day. Administration will find out how to get a proof prior to purchasing. Pictures are the major fundraiser for the school. Mr. Heisey thanked the PTA for the money to partially fund the ESOL homework club. There is still interest in covering summer school program for underperforming children. It would run 3 hours/day, 3 days a week for 6 weeks. It would cover 10-15 children per grade. Transportation is $135 per trip, which is one of the biggest expenses.

 

Staff Report: (Cathy Beavan): The school store is coming back. Special Education students are running the store which will include pencils, glue sticks, grips, etc. Runs Monday – 1st grade, Tuesday – 2nd grade, etc. Go right to classrooms from 8:30-8:45.

 

Treasurer's Report (Laura Smith): Membership dues are $2,409 of the $2,700. Teacher supplies were covered with gift cards in the amounts of $60/$30 for full and part-time teachers.

 

Committee Reports

 

PTA Council Delegate (Vicki Imre):  Reviewed the program about School Safety re: safety inside and out, such as internet safety and physical security (e.g., security cameras). Howard County schools have hand-held radios to communicate with the county services (police, fire, BOE). There is a neighbor-to-neighbor program for survival guide when disasters strike.  ThereÕs a coat drive for new and gently used coats (scarves, hats, sweatshirts) which will begin immediately and will be delivered to PTA Council meeting on November 5th.

 

Homewood School. Staff appreciation was requested again, such as (lunch, snacks, mailbox treats) Homewood doesnÕt have a PTA. Mr. Heisey will talk to St. Johns and Waverly Woods. It was suggested that the PTA Council should take the lead.

 

Cultural Arts (Miranda Markas):  There will be the London brass for 5th grade. Fire Department for kindergarten is free. A dentist, Dr. Beiderman, will come for the kindergarten. The Native American presentation is $134.

 

Spirit Wear (Vicki Imre):  Vicki is working with CR Daniels. Vicki brought examples of sweatshirts, tie dyed t-shirts and navy blue blanket.

 

After School Programs (Helen Morse):  Currently there are 5 classes running including two Art classes and 1 science class. A survey will be sent out to parents.  Helen is considering chess tournament.

 

Business Partnerships (Al Essien): Al Essien will be working the business partnerships.   

 

Membership (Monica Machovec):  There are currently 415 members to date with a goal of 450.

 

Nominations (Tammy Foyles):  Tammy is looking into the relevant award and the dates.

 

Patapsco Liaison (Alisa Kindall):  ŌOnce upon a mattressÕ is being run for Patapsco Middle School.

 

Volunteer Coordinator (Peter and Mariviannes Chang):  Received back 40 volunteers to assist in the committee.

 

Ways & Means (Lisa Greco):  So far $12,268 has been earned from the fundraiser. There are 35 more packets to process and all the internet programs. Last year we earned $35,000 with approximately $19,000 going to the school.

 

President's Report (Jeannie DeCray):

 

Jeannie is working with Ms. Speelman to have QSP pick-up and paper drive to coordinate. She is updating the bylaws with a 3-person committee. Deer management forum was organized for discussion. PTA convention is coming up (11/16 and 11/17) at a cost of $90. There is no money in the PTA budget to support this meeting. Members are welcome to attend at their own expense. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.