Terrace Park Elementary PTO Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2006

 I.   Call to Order and Welcome (9:33 a.m.)                                     Sally Gaburo

The meeting was called to order with approximately 24 in attendance.

II.  Minutes                                                                                        Sally Gaburo

A motion was made to waive the reading of the October minutes. A motion was made and accepted to pass the minutes. The Purchase Committee meeting minutes were available but were not up for approval (see attached). Sally also noted that draft copies of the most recent meeting minutes, as well as minutes for all previous 2006-2007 school year meetings, are available on the PTO’s web site.

III.  Committee Report                                                                    Sybil Schooler

Sybil thanked the many volunteers that made Pumpkin Festival such a success. Between 150 and 200 individuals and families donated time and/or money to the event. A net profit of more than $34,000 was reported.

IV. Treasurer’s Report                                                              Cindy Brittingham

(see attached)

V.  Teachers’ Representative Report                                                Kathy Coates

Cathy remarked on the wonderful level of parental involvement at TPE. There is more or less 100% attendance for the parent/teacher conferences. She thanked the PTO for the wonderful dinners provided to the teachers on the two conference nights. Elaine Fening suggested that Kathy remind teachers to spend their $200 budgets from the PTO. A memo will go out early next year from Cindy Brittingham.

VI.  Guest Speaker                                                                      Dr. Gerry Harris

Sally introduced the superintendent, Dr. Harris. He has been with the district as either principal or superintendent for 30 years. He will retire in July. 

                a. Dr. Harris noted that the search for his replacement will soon be under way. The new superintendent will be announced this spring and will begin at the commencement of the new school year.

                b. All 5 district school buildings were re-inspected (for the 3rd time). Reports on TPE were excellent. There were two minor areas of concern. The heating system in the old section is antiquated and will be replaced with ventilator units. These units will provide heating and cooling. The kitchen continues to be noted as outdated, but at this time improvements will not be made since it is not functioning as a true kitchen. Its condition will be maintained.

                c. A new access ramp will be built into the gym. ADA enhancements are being made across the district. Despite this welcomed improvement, TPE is not completely handicap accessible and there are no plans for this currently.

                d. The science curriculum is under review this year. There is an online survey on the district web site that all parents are invited to take.

                e. Foreign language instruction in the elementary schools has been studied and the results of this study are under review by the Board of Education. Similarly the board is looking into a district-wide preschool.

                f. Harris noted that Linda Lee is working on making sure that all TPE students are challenged in the classroom.

                g. Currently Ohio depends on local school districts for the majority of their school funding.  An amendment to the state constitution is under consideration. Dr. Harris will return early in 2007 to discuss this amendment further. He notes it would be a positive change for Mariemont schools.

                h. Jean-Marie Nelson asked about the recent outsourcing of the school bus system. Harris reports that Peterman Co. is working out well.

                i. Elaine Fenig asked about crowding at TPE. Harris replied that outgrowing the school is not a concern, but that class sizes are. Enrollment projections do not show additional increases. Sybil Schooler asked if there is a certain number at which it is decided to subdivide the classes into three rather than two. Harris explained that it is done on a case-by-case basis with no specific number in mind. He sits down with the principal and reviews the classes’ needs as well as each student in the class. The options are to offer increased clerical/ teaching aid or splitting the class into three groups. In the past 26-27 have been the top numbers for class size.

                j. Roseann Hayes asked about outsourcing the custodial services for the district. Harris reported that in the spring he was disappointed in how some school facilities were being maintained. TPE was not among these schools. Instead he described TPE’s facility maintenance as the template for the rest of the district.  New equipment was purchased.  A company was brought in to clean the facility and the existing employees are now required to maintain the same level of cleanliness. If they cannot, outside services may be brought in but it will be done on a case-by-case basis.

                k. Sally Gaburo asked about the possibility of improving the visibility from the school office to the entrances. Linda Lee noted that there is a camera. Improvements are on a list for review.

                l.  Janice Dietz asked about ERB test scores and whether or not they show any improvement in math following the revisions to the math curriculum. Harris said the results were not yet studied. The 5th and 6th graders, now in junior high, will be watched closely in this area throughout the year.

                m. Katherine Stautberg asked about a 2007 levy. Harris explained levies are regularly reviewed every 3-4 years due to inflation. Increases are for maintaining the current level, not improvements. The constitutional amendment up for vote in Nov. 2007 will not become effective until the 2010-11 school year, therefore an interim levy is necessary. If the amendment passes, future levies will probably not be necessary. Harris will return in January to speak about the amendment and to ask for signatures on a petition. One vote per student in the state is necessary for its passage.

VII.          Principals Report                                                               Lee

(see attached)

VIII.  New Business                                                                    

a. Holiday Fair                                                               Sandra Taylor

MHS is hosting a holiday fair and encouraging all elementary families to attend. It is Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m.

b. Purchasing Committee                                                                    Sally Gaburo

Sally explained that the Purchasing Committee met and reviewed the list of items that teachers, staff, and PTO members have proposed the PTO purchase for TPE. The list of items was read (see attached Purchasing Committee minutes and/or PTO meeting agenda. She noted that we have $18-19K more in our budget than we had hoped to have. The cost of items on this list totals about $7K.

Jean Marie Nelson asked about the library purchases. Linda Lee explained the library’s weeding process. The proposed purchases are meant to replace books that are outdated and to round out the library’s most popular collections, pets and sports.

There was a motion to approve the list as one unit. The motion was seconded and approved. There was a motion to approve the items for purchase. This motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Sally also explained that larger PTO purchases will be made in the spring using most of the Pumpkin Festival revenue.

c. Science Curriculum                                                                   Sally Gaburo

There is a survey on the district web site for parents regarding the science curriculum.

d. Softball Field                                                                           Sally Gaburo

The new softball field on Stanton is underway. It was funded by the school district as well as the boosters.

IX.  Committee Reports                                                                                             

a. Book Fair                                           Jody Kaufmann

The three day event sold more than $11K in books. The percentage the school earns from Scholastic increases as sales increase. Jody thanked the custodial staff for being very helpful and accommodating.

b. Giving Tree                                                                               Sally Gaburo

The Giving Tree will focus on families in our area. Some changes include the ability to donate money. More changes will be announced soon.

c. Scripps                                                                                    Sally Gaburo

Scripps is well underway. The program can be used in conjunction with the Giving Tree. Jean-Marie Nelson said she is coordinating holiday gifts for special teachers and will use the Scripps program for this.

d. Grandparent Day                                                                       Darcy Moehring

Darcy reviewed the schedule for the upcoming event and encouraged people to make their reservations for the meal.

e. Sportswear                                                                              Sally Gaburo

There were $8K in sales. All purchases are expected in at the end of November.

X.            Old Business       

a. Village Views Liaison                                                         Sally Gaburo

Still need one.

b. Grant Writing Committee                                                           Sally Gaburo

This committee will begin meeting in early December. Please join them if you are interested in helping with the Oxley grant request.

c. Renzulli Training                                                                        Sally Gaburo

Parent training last month went well. This is a great enrichment opportunity for computer learning. It is targeted at grades 3-6. Eventually it will be used in the classroom. Usage is being tracked. Linda Lee has copies of directions/information.                            

XI.  Announcements                                                              Sally Gaburo

                a. Upcoming Meetings

There is no December meeting. The next meeting is January 9 at 12:30 p.m. Lance Hollander, Principal of Fairfax Elementary, will give a brief overview of  the Love and Logic seminar he offers to parents.

                b. 6th Grade Play                                                             Linda Neal

Linda asked about this year’s play which has been written by a parent. Sally explained that this is not a cost-saving measure. Money will be saved but the budget is the same.

                  c. Play Ground Equipment                                   Sherry Holcomb

Sherry asked if the installation of the new playground equipment was complete. Linda Lee said that it is.

XII.         Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:50 p.m. 

The minutes are respectfully submitted by Barclay Schraff 11/17/2006.