Our first PTO meeting this year will be Aug. 24 at 6:30PM.  We are still looking for a Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer for the upcoming school year.  Please join us at the first meeting to learn about PTO!

EHES PTO Meeting Minutes for April 20, 2010

 

The regular meeting of the Eastern Hancock Elementary School PTO was called to order at 6:40 PM.  President Neil Floyd presided and Karen Campbell recorded the minutes.  Ten members were present (seven parents/ five teachers).     

 

Secretary’s report:

Not discussed

Even though I would normally continue to fill this position until my replacement is installed (which should have been filled in March when elections are supposed to happen), I can no longer continue due to family matters.

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

Not discussed.

 

Standing Committees: 

Not discussed

 

Teacher’s Reports: 

Mr. Randy Harris, Eastern Hancock School Corporation Superintendent, spoke about the upcoming referendum on May 4.  The school will be financially solvent.  The funding formula is statewide and not by individual school district, so no school is singled out for additional cuts.  The current cuts by the district are a 10% reduction of the general fund.  This is an estimate of what the state cuts will be.  There is a plan of which order teachers will be brought back based upon overall need and length of service, and a possibility of the grant support for consumer sciences.  Currently the plan is to increase class sizes above second grade.  Elimination of Industrial technology, consumer science and high school art classes will occur.  Also, elimination of coaching positions below grade 7, as well as a reduction of coaching positions above grade 6.  Cuts set to be made:  summer band and guard positions.  Sophomore and freshman class sponsors and art clubs.  There has been a 2% administrative pay cut and no pay cuts for teachers unless the teachers bargaining unit agrees.  Teacher contract changes cannot be made without approval of the bargaining unit. There will be a referendum meeting on April 27 that is open to the community.  This will be the last one of this nature.

In brief, the questions raised were:  Ethics of wearing vote yes buttons in the classroom and what teachers should be telling the students.  The difference between the message of voting yes and how that is perceived vs. educating the public about the situation.  If we have enough parents to vote yes to offset the farmer’s no votes.  Concerns of retribution on students of parents who openly oppose the referendum.  What teaching positions would be brought back if the referendum passes?  Getting honors diplomas with no HS art.  Is it possible to still have a loss of money from the state if we were able to meet our bottom line by passing the referendum?  Some of the technology personnel’s salaries (including Ms. Spangler’s who is partial technology) get moved to a different a different fund.  The five different funds that exist.  The inability to move money between the funds.

 

Old Business: 

Spring Carnival:  May 1 from 4 - 7pm.   Jason Osborne is chairperson.  Andi Melton:  silent auction; Neil Floyd:  Food/volunteers; Brigette Jones:  community tables.    Updates:  some scout troops will help with games.  Need more teachers for the dunk booth; Ball State face painters will be here.           Theresa Beaver is to reply about status of clown/ face painters.  Teachers are in the process of     creating their class baskets.  The silent auction component is tentatively set for Amanda Pyle’s room barring issues with computers for testing.  Backup-up plan is the kindergarten hallway Harlem Wizards Basketball Game:  November 6 at 7PM. Corporate sponsors are being sought.         Anticipating 25 companies donating $200 for a sponsorship will offset any turnout issues.  Neil is also talking to Muncie Central about their experiences with the Wizards.

Engraving:  Neil will be talking to 3 potential engraving companies to get bids.

Nominating committee: Minimal discussion about positions not being filled.         Currently looking for three positions:  Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer.  Please contact Mr. Eck & Mr. McIntire with your nominations please ASAP.  These need to be in place before the end of the school year.   

Attendance at PTO meetings:  The same was repeated about getting new people in to attend meetings and be involved.  Karen Campbell was concerned about nonattendance of the PTO business meeting. After Mr. Harris left only six people remained to continue with the meeting.  Concern was expressed about the level of concern for the school if people are not willing to take positions within the PTO and support the school with an

organization that is based upon both teachers and parents attending and working and fund raising in order to assist with the improvement of the education of our elementary students where there is not funding to provide for them otherwise. The funds will dry up if there is no one left to organize or even perform the tasks.  

 

New Business:

None

 

Bills to be paid:

None were presented for voting.

Two teachers requested PTO assistance with their class baskets for the auction.  It was suggested that they encourage their classroom parents to assist.  PTO offered one of the silent auction items to assist with one and would see if there was something appropriate for the other. 

 

Correspondence received: 

None.

 

Upcoming Events:

Skating Party:   April 24 @ 1PM.

Referendum Meeting:  April 27

Primary Elections (including the referendum):  May 4

Wizards Basketball game:  November 6th; 7PM

Next meeting:  May 18 at 6:30 PM.  Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM

 

Attached you will find a Microsoft Word document that details our by-laws.

Aug. 24 at 6:30

Note that childcare will be provided!

Please continue to send in ink cartridges, Tyson and Campbell's labels, and Box Tops.  We also have a Marsh Fresh Ideas for Education fundraiser and will be starting to collect drink pouches (just remove the straw and send them in!).  Email us if you have any questions and thank you for helping make money for our school!

We have started a fundraiser with Hancock Telecom that when someone signs up for or upgrades a service with them, we get a set amount from that service. To get the code, click on the attached .pdf file.